Junior Varsity: The Complete Biography of the Alt-Pop Trio Defining a New DIY Era
Junior Varsity is a compelling American alternative pop band that has quickly risen to prominence through a distinctive, highly-curated blend of music, visual art, and unconventional live performances. Originally formed as a duo and now solidified as a trio, the Los Angeles-based group has built a dedicated following by focusing on creating a complete, immersive artistic universe.
Early Life and Formation: The NYU Roots
The band’s genesis traces back to New York University, where founding members Greg Varteresian (singer) and Zach Michel (multi-instrumentalist/producer) first met as students. Driven by a desire to challenge the conventional structure of pop music releases, the pair relocated to Los Angeles in 2019 to officially form Junior Varsity.
Their early strategy was unorthodox and instrumental in building their reputation. Instead of immediately dropping music, they focused on curated, high-energy, three-night pop-up live events dubbed “A Fucking Weekend” in both Los Angeles and New York. Varteresian emphasized that these shows were designed to feel like a “party” rather than a typical concert, fostering an intimate, grassroots connection with their audience. This approach generated significant buzz and a large social media following before a single track was officially released.
🚀 Career Highlights and Artistic Stunts
Junior Varsity’s career is marked by a blend of raw sound and provocative publicity.
Debut and Controversy: The “Cold Blood” Era
The duo made their official debut in 2021 with the single “Cold Blood.” The release was strategically timed alongside a daring publicity stunt that captured media attention: Varteresian and collaborators successfully placed a painting of a “holy cow” (a recurring symbol for the band) over the “O” of the iconic Hollywood Sign. While this resulted in a trespassing charge, it perfectly encapsulated the band’s rebellious, punk-meets-performance-art aesthetic.
Their early EPs, the self-titled Junior Varsity (2021) and SIDE B (2022), established their core sound: a perfect clash of alternative rock, experimental hip-hop, and pop sensibilities characterized by a noticeable lo-fi fuzz and gritty instrumentation.
Evolution to a Trio: The Addition of Brooke Danaher
In a significant evolution, the band recruited Brooke Danaher as a new lead vocalist, transitioning from a duo to a trio in 2023. This addition was a deliberate move to introduce a dynamic contrast in their vocal delivery, drawing inspiration from bands known for interchanging male and female voices. This shift coincided with their move to an independent label, Key Records.
The My Star Trilogy and Recent Releases
Danaher’s inclusion was fully integrated into their 2024 EP, My Star. This EP, featuring singles like “Cross The Street” and “New York,” served as the third and final installment of a trilogy, setting the stage for their forthcoming debut album. The trio continued their prolific output in 2025 with the release of My Star (Deluxe) and the standalone single “JV Gets the $$$” in August.
🎶 Musical Style and Key Elements
Junior Varsity’s genre-bending sound is often classified as alt-pop, but it incorporates a wide spectrum of influences:
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Vocal Dynamics: The interplay between Varteresian’s often raw, spoken-word delivery and Danaher’s contrasting melodic vocals has become a signature element of their matured sound.
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Production: Their music is self-produced, giving them total control over a sound that marries the melodic structure of pop with the raw energy and guitar riffs of punk and garage rock.
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World-Building: Beyond the music, the trio maintains strong involvement in the direction of their visual aesthetic, music videos, and stage design, aiming to deliver a cohesive, immersive experience for their fans.
Having successfully toured and earned recognition from major music platforms, Junior Varsity is positioned as a leading voice in the new wave of alternative music, determined to prove they are here for “first prize” rather than settling for the “junior varsity” label.
The official music video for “New York” offers a great look into the band’s distinctive visual and energetic style. Junior Varsity – New York (Official Video)