This Chicago five-piece was discovered by former Smashing Pumpkin James Iha and signed to his label, Scratchie. The band evolved from a visual arts project envisioned by mastermind Scott Masson, who now sings and plays rhythm guitar along with writing the catchy, upbeat songs that chug along with a Squeeze-like combination of smarts and passion. A Night At The Ritz, the band's debut album, is the result of five years of recording, touring and writing, and the years spent perfecting the songs and the group sound and dynamic pay off. After the September release, OFFICE spent the fall back on the road, touring the US with Earlimart.

A couple of us studied fine art, so that background informs our aesthetic decisions, whether we like it or not. As a group, we're constantly scouring magazines, taking walks and visiting museums during our downtime on tour. We're aesthetes by nature.

The Beatles completely transformed the way music was created in the studio, during the time when multi-track recording was just emerging. There is really no way to escape their influence, especially when writing pop songs. We also find inspiration in some of the more avant-garde artists, ranging from Television and Wire to Sonic Youth and Tortoise.

When I was 15 I saw Sonic Youth headline Lollapalooza at a shitty amphitheater in suburban Chicago. By some stroke of luck, we had first row seats. It was a calm midsummer night, until Sonic Youth took the stage. It was as if their feedback was a rain-dance, causing a deluge to come down from the sky. Lightning is definitely better than any pyrotechnical effects.

We were peanut fiends on our last tour. It felt like everything we ate had some form of peanut in it. Also, Waffle House kept us nourished across the south. So many waffles, so little time.

Some of my favorite acts are my friends' bands. The 1900s, Mannequin Men and the Narrator are bands we as a band all get in to. We actually put together a bill -- us and these three bands -- in December at Metro in Chicago. A rock extravaganza to be sure.

"Happy Alone" by Earlimart. Ariana Murray's vocals and delivery are pitch-perfect in relation to the lyrical content and beautiful melody.

I See Darkness by Bonnie "Prince" Billy.