Push Play

While still enrolled in high school, New York natives C.J. Baran (vocals/guitar/keyboards), Steve Scarola (guitar/keyboards), Nick Deturris (bass), and Derek Ries (drums) launched the edgy pop outfit Push Play. Their longstanding friendship translated into a sibling-like chemistry on stage and in the studio, generating swift waves of both critical praise and commercial attention that soon reached well beyond Long Island. Extensive touring schedules combined with aggressive online outreach allowed the band to cultivate a loyal fan base, propelling the quartet from neighborhood clubs to Lincoln Center and onward to national venues. Their sound prompted comparisons with contemporary modern rock acts such as Fall Out Boy and the Jonas Brothers, prompting the independent release of their debut album Deserted in 2007 and the nationally distributed follow-up Found in 2009.