THE STORY SO FAR: Unlike most in this section, the Christmas Lights frontman Kenny Tompkins and bassist Derek Shank would be content if their career paths veer offstage. Before Tompkins started the progressive electronic outfit as a solo project in 2006, the pair owned a studio. “We hope to be full-time engineers and producers when we grow up,” says Tompkins. In the meantime, they brought in synth op Gibb Cockrum and drummer/brother Curt Tompkins, releasing a full-length per year since 2008.

WHY YOU SHOULD KNOW ‘EM: Sure, Tompkins named the band after the annual holiday mix CDs he would give to friends, but you shouldn’t ignore any band taken on tour with Circa Survive and Good Old War—though we’re not sure we believe Tompkins’ account of how that happened. “[Circa Survive guitarist] Brendan Ekstrom jogged past our practice space in a business suit and heard us,” he says. “He stuck his head in the door and said with a British accent, ‘You kids sound great! I’m going to give you your big break!’”