Gentlemen Hall

Gentlemen Hall, formed in 2008, began life as a northeastern phenomenon. The six-piece band developed its sound -- equal parts synth-pop and danceable, anthemic indie rock -- while playing shows to a hometown audience. By late 2009, the group had stirred up enough buzz to earn an MTV Video Music Award for "Best Breakout Boston Artist." They received a slightly different honor from Ben & Jerry's, whose three Beantown locations began selling "The Gentlemen Hall," a signature lemon?flavored smoothie that's been available at local stores ever since.

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Recently, the group has started to leave the nest. In May 2011, Gentlemen Hall became the first independent band to both win a Billboard Music Award and perform during the nationally televised (ABC-TV) primetime broadcast. Millions watched the TV show at home, while the group performed its song, "All Our Love," to a packed house at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. After roughly two years of local acclaim, Gentlemen Hall had officially catapulted itself into the international market, joining the ranks of Phoenix, MGMT, and other melody?driven bands that make dance music with a twist.

Although all six members share songwriting duties, they come from different musical backgrounds. Flutist Seth Hachen is classically trained. Synth player Brad Alderman grew up in a jazz environment. Bassist Rory Given studied funk. Jacob Michael, one of the band's two frontmen, once doubled as a blues-rock guitarist. Combined with Philip Boucher's dancefloor drums and co-vocalist Gavin McDevitt's croon -- not to mention a wide range of influences that run the gamut from Ladyhawk to La Roux -- those diverse perspectives give Gentlemen Hall a unique sound. Who else would think of combining flute solos with retro keyboard riffs? Better still, who else could make it work this well?