Parachute

Parachute specialize in a smooth blend of blue-eyed soul and piano rock that will appeal to fans of Maroon 5, The Fray and OneRepublic. The Virginia group, which originally went by the oddball name Sparky's Flaw, came together in 2005 when high-school student, budding singer and multi-instrumentalist Will Anderson started jamming with fellow classmates Johnny Stubblefield, Alex Hargrave and Kit French. The group quickly became one of the hottest acts in Charlottesville, where they shared stages with a long list of national acts passing through town. The band was particularly popular with University of Virginia students. While maintaining a hectic tour schedule, Parachute caught the ears of executives at Mercury Records, who whisked the band into the studio. Their debut album, Losing Sleep, came out in 2009. To help get their music to the masses, Parachute have worked closely with Nivea. The skin-care brand has used two of their tracks, "She Is Love" and "Under Control," in its national ad campaign. The relationship culminated in 2008 with Parachute's New Year's Eve appearance at Nivea's Countdown Stage on 46th Street. Over a million party animals were in attendance.