Sat, Sept 3, Early States

In 2007, Roseville pals Zack Gray and Brandon Lee formed Early States with Gray on vocals, guitar and keyboard, and Lee on drums. In the four years since, the duo’s take on epic emo pop has kept the friends on an upward musical trajectory. In 2008, the band was named one of the Top 21 Unsigned Bands by PureVolume, and in 2009, it was named a finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest—an honor that nabbed them serious cash prizes, as well a slot on the Vans Warped Tour. This weekend they keep it close to home with a slot on the Chalk It Up festival. 1515 Q Street, www.myspace.com/earlystates.