Today we’d like to introduce you to Summer Winter.
Summer, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’m from a loud, creative family. My parents peacefully divorced, and I spent my childhood flying back and forth from Maui to Costa Mesa. Amidst the constant movement, I found comfort in self-expression. (Music, dance, acting, screaming, collecting gecko eggs and making fairy potions.) My parents (and step parents) were adoring music fans, so music was always on and it was always loud. Mom constantly quizzed the siblings and me on lyrics and artists, as we’d be playfully “disowned for poor music knowledge.” I learned guitar from both dads. One taught flamenco style and the other taught with an Ace Frehley vibe. My journey with music has been eclectic, loving, and curious. It is my greatest teacher today.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I recorded two albums this year. I did it in three months. It was the most fulfilling and dedicated time period of my life so far. It also brought me immense terror and confusion. This is how the recording process goes for many musicians, I’m sure, but the hardest part was doing it alone.
I recorded one album in a studio with an incredible team (shout out to Jenga Productions) and the other one I recorded alone in bathrooms and closets. To me, music has always been a communal art/experience. I’m not Mozart and I’m not a cat. I enjoy collaboration and connection. I tried really hard to carry the constructive, supportive mindset from my studio sessions into my solo sessions, but it drained a lot of energy (and tons of time). I spent months of drafting and recording and comping vocals in solitude for 9 hours a day. I might have created my biggest obstacle by trying to do it all alone. After I found a team of talented, supportive people, all the big scary mountains turned to sandcastles.
Please tell us about your art.
I’m a musician. I write satirical spoken word poems and turn them into songs short enough for your (and my) attention span. Aka I’m a singer with a guitar. I specialize in angelic harmonies and cut throat lyrics.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
(Besides friends and family) In no particular order, the following people have been musical gifts to me. My high school choir teacher: Jon Lindfors, and my high school drama teacher: Kathy Paladino. (God bless good teachers for making kids like me feel witnessed.) Nicole Funicelli, Jim Funicelli, and Shayon Daniels of Jenga Productions. All three of these humans are exceptionally abundant in creativity and talent. Kaitlin Wolfberg helped me arrange hundreds of vocal tracks on my (not yet out) a cappella album, and she taught me that silence is golden.
Contact Info:
- Website: ssummerwinter.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ssummerwinter/
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/album/6Zba9kXwthtD8AaOVXErJo
Image Credit:
Yolanda Leaney, Tiffany Chu, Leah Huebner
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