The San Francisco-based rock quintet Thriving Ivory came together when vocalist Clayton Stroope and pianist Scott Jason met at college. They were soon joined by guitarist Drew Cribley, bassist Bret Cohune, and drummer Paul Niedermier, and -- taking inspiration from the likes of U2 and Coldplay -- began playing gigs for their fellow students, as well as recording a self-funded, self-titled independent debut with Jellyfish's Chris Manning, who acted as the album's producer. After signing with Wind-Up Records in 2007, Thriving Ivory worked with producer Howard Benson on a new version of their debut album, which included new and re-recorded tracks. It was released in June 2008 and topped the Heatseekers chart, due in part to the gold-selling single "Angels on the Moon." Two years later, the band returned with the sophomore album Through Yourself & Back Again. ~ Katherine Fulton