With music flowing through her veins, Summer Hoop takes her craft (and her loyalty) very seriously.
The dark pop artist from Tampa, Florida, caught the attention of alternative rock listeners with her feature on the 2022 song “THE VOID APPROACHETH” by Bilmuri and followed up with hits like “Back from the Dead,” “You vs. Everyone,” and “The Pursuit Of Misery.” This past Friday, she released her intriguing, genre-blending song “Mindlessly,” her first single since signing to Oxide Music (founded by Attack Attack! drummer Andrew Wetzel). She’s also set for a packed September opening for Icon For Hire on their “Scripted” anniversary tour dates in Florida, as well as a few of labelmate Nate Vickers’ shows.
I had the chance to ask Hoop about “Mindlessly,” joining Oxide Music, and the artists that influence her unique sound.
Of your new song “Mindlessly,” which lyric do you think is the most accurate description of how it feels to be in a “mindless” relationship like this?
The simplest one in the context of the song would be “I met God, they look just like you,” because it’s putting somebody in this light that no human being should be in. It’s not even a relationship, which is kind of the worst/best part. I also just like the line “Everybody knows I’m easy, maybe I’m the chosen one.” I think it’s funny.
You’ve done some awesome visuals for the song, which can be found on your Instagram. Which one is your favorite?
We did some stuff in this old-looking sort of colonial house thing where I had the band play, and then my friend Natalia Taylar (she’s a musician as well) came to lend her presence as our sort of “God” figure in a few shots. In a perfect financially stable world, I would’ve filmed something in a church somewhere off in the desert and had like a whole cult-leader storyline, “Jim Jones” style. I do feel as though we capture a sort of off-putting religious vibe with these shots.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done while worshiping someone mindlessly or trying to get their attention?
There is nothing crazier than simply knowing what the end looks like and getting your feelings hurt anyways.
You recently signed with Oxide Music. What has that experience been like for you?
Oxide is cool and super on top of the ball, and they have a lot of knowledge that I do not have. Which is great! I can focus more on the things that I enjoy doing, like the actual creation part, and they can do the stuff that makes me wanna hit my head on something.
Who or what are some of your current musical influences?
I feel like I always go back to the baseline bands that I loved growing up, like Fall Out Boy, early Panic! At The Disco, and Paramore. Does that mean I feel like my music sounds like theirs? I would say often it does not, BUT it’s more of the essence of trying to be something so much bigger than myself. I do feel inspired by a great rock and pop genre blend, which I feel like PVRIS, Stand Atlantic, and Waterparks do very well.
What was it like collaborating with NIGHTBREAKERS on “This Song Should’ve Been About You & I” off the deluxe version of their album “Not Like We Used To”? How did that come to be?
I met those boys when I was 16, like 10 years ago. I feel like we’ve watched each other's journeys, and they asked me last year if I would be interested in writing a verse on their song. If I’m vibing with a song, I really do enjoy adding my perspective to it; it was fun. Who knows? Maybe 10 people turned them down, and then they asked me ‘cause they seem to be on a great career run right now, hah.
What are you most excited about with your upcoming shows supporting Icon For Hire and Nate Vickers?
Playing shows is the greatest gift that life has to offer me; it is so much fun. I’ve had people reach out about the Icon For Hire shows and say that they loved their music growing up, which is dope. Nate is really cool and has worked with the same guy I write music with, Austin Coupe. He has come out to shows whenever I’ve played in Texas, and we have great conversations about things in the industry, and I was geeked when we were asked to play shows with him.
What plans do you have for your music in the future?
I want to create a community for people that enjoy what I am doing. I want to offer great music and a visual world that makes them feel like they are a part of something special. At the very least, though, just plan for some really sick music.
