music
In the midst of creation with Sumrr
Los Angeles-based singer Sumrr talks her creative process, breaking genre boundaries and upcoming music.
By Daija Green | Posted on April 04, 2023
An artist's creative process is deeply personal and unique. For some artists, it involves careful preparation and experimentation. For the genre-bending singer, songwriter, and producer Sumrr, it is also an intentional and meditative process.
Living and creating in Los Angeles, Sumrr, is currently working on new music. During her creative process, she finds moments of peace and reflection essential. "Most of the time, I will go to the beach or sit in nature, be silent, and just let words come to me." she shares over Zoom from her home in LA. Through her creative process, she is able to reflect on her imaginative inner world in her artistry. Her latest record, "Energy," featured a trance-like melody that gave us a glimpse into this world. Since its release in July 2022, Sumrr has discovered new heights in her voice and sound. "I've learned that I work better with more upbeat songs. It just flows better," she says.
This forthcoming project is different from anything she's done before. Her evolving sound blends elements of shoegaze, jazz, and neo-soul, exploring new realms of her artistry. Her goal is to make music that transcends genre. "I'm dipping into different sounds. People always think of R&B, and it's like, no, I want to try different shit." The project promises an ethereal blend of tones, energies, beats, and textures that cross genre boundaries. In anticipation of Sumrr's upcoming project, Trutuyou spoke to her about her creative process, musical inspirations, and transcending genres.
Living and creating in Los Angeles, Sumrr, is currently working on new music. During her creative process, she finds moments of peace and reflection essential. "Most of the time, I will go to the beach or sit in nature, be silent, and just let words come to me." she shares over Zoom from her home in LA. Through her creative process, she is able to reflect on her imaginative inner world in her artistry. Her latest record, "Energy," featured a trance-like melody that gave us a glimpse into this world. Since its release in July 2022, Sumrr has discovered new heights in her voice and sound. "I've learned that I work better with more upbeat songs. It just flows better," she says.
This forthcoming project is different from anything she's done before. Her evolving sound blends elements of shoegaze, jazz, and neo-soul, exploring new realms of her artistry. Her goal is to make music that transcends genre. "I'm dipping into different sounds. People always think of R&B, and it's like, no, I want to try different shit." The project promises an ethereal blend of tones, energies, beats, and textures that cross genre boundaries. In anticipation of Sumrr's upcoming project, Trutuyou spoke to her about her creative process, musical inspirations, and transcending genres.
Where are you currently? What's your headspace like?
I'm actually in a good headspace. I just recently moved at the beginning of January, so I'm in my own space. I feel like I'm able to flow better and create better.
Are you using these current feelings as inspiration for your next project?
Yeah, because when I don't feel settled, it's just hard to do things and be vulnerable. My surroundings and my environment really matter to me when it comes to creating. If I'm not in a great environment, it's going to be hard for me. Now that I'm in a better position, I can flow better. I'm a libra. I have to have balance. Balance is key for me.
I'm actually in a good headspace. I just recently moved at the beginning of January, so I'm in my own space. I feel like I'm able to flow better and create better.
Are you using these current feelings as inspiration for your next project?
Yeah, because when I don't feel settled, it's just hard to do things and be vulnerable. My surroundings and my environment really matter to me when it comes to creating. If I'm not in a great environment, it's going to be hard for me. Now that I'm in a better position, I can flow better. I'm a libra. I have to have balance. Balance is key for me.
What ideas and stories are you planning to explore in your project?
I'm so excited. This is going to be different. As a new artist, I feel like you develop your sound along the way. My first project was good, being very freshly new, but now I'm finding my voice. This new project is a little different from what I'm normally used to. I have a lot of inspiration from Tame Impala, FKJ, and Kelela. It's a lot of great instruments formed together to create this beautiful sound. It's more so on the electronic side. It's more on the upbeat side because I've learned that I feel more comfortable with upbeat music rather than super slow. It's just the space that I am in right now.
With this sound and vibe in mind. How do you want listeners to feel when they hear it for the first time?
Oh, straight off the bat I want them to be in a trance. I always want people to listen to my music and go into another world. I want to create a world for everyone and a safe space but like very ethereal.
Will there be any themes of love or heartbreak?
Definitely will be a little bit of heartbreak and love too. It's so funny that you say that because I've been making a lot of sad music, but the whole project itself will not be around just sadness. I have a little bit of heartbreak in there and some smoke music in there, per usual. I have to have that in there.
I'm so excited. This is going to be different. As a new artist, I feel like you develop your sound along the way. My first project was good, being very freshly new, but now I'm finding my voice. This new project is a little different from what I'm normally used to. I have a lot of inspiration from Tame Impala, FKJ, and Kelela. It's a lot of great instruments formed together to create this beautiful sound. It's more so on the electronic side. It's more on the upbeat side because I've learned that I feel more comfortable with upbeat music rather than super slow. It's just the space that I am in right now.
With this sound and vibe in mind. How do you want listeners to feel when they hear it for the first time?
Oh, straight off the bat I want them to be in a trance. I always want people to listen to my music and go into another world. I want to create a world for everyone and a safe space but like very ethereal.
Will there be any themes of love or heartbreak?
Definitely will be a little bit of heartbreak and love too. It's so funny that you say that because I've been making a lot of sad music, but the whole project itself will not be around just sadness. I have a little bit of heartbreak in there and some smoke music in there, per usual. I have to have that in there.
How would you describe your sound? What genres do you like to tap into?
Definitely shoegaze. Guitar - I love live instruments in my music. I have to have it. I will definitely say neo-soul. I'm still leaning in the jazz area, but those are the main ones—electronic, shoegaze, jazz, and neo-soul.
Have you learned anything about yourself or your creative process since working on the new project?
Just yesterday, I was at the studio talking to my engineer. We were listening to beats, and he played an upbeat, and I was just doing my thing. It felt so natural. He was like, see, your voice gravitates towards upbeat. Like I said, I've learned that I work better with more upbeat songs. I'm able to create a full song right then and there. It just flows better for me. I'm finally starting to find what works for me.
Is there any mental or personal preparation you feel has to happen before the release?
Oh, yes. Definitely. I'm so in my head. Most of the time, I will go to the beach or sit in nature, be silent and just let words come to me or whatever God needs to tell me at that very moment to remind myself that I got it. Just let it out. People need to hear it. Whoever likes it, it's for them. If it's not for them, then whatever. I'll try not to overthink things because I do that often with songs and try to self-sabotage myself.
Definitely shoegaze. Guitar - I love live instruments in my music. I have to have it. I will definitely say neo-soul. I'm still leaning in the jazz area, but those are the main ones—electronic, shoegaze, jazz, and neo-soul.
Have you learned anything about yourself or your creative process since working on the new project?
Just yesterday, I was at the studio talking to my engineer. We were listening to beats, and he played an upbeat, and I was just doing my thing. It felt so natural. He was like, see, your voice gravitates towards upbeat. Like I said, I've learned that I work better with more upbeat songs. I'm able to create a full song right then and there. It just flows better for me. I'm finally starting to find what works for me.
Is there any mental or personal preparation you feel has to happen before the release?
Oh, yes. Definitely. I'm so in my head. Most of the time, I will go to the beach or sit in nature, be silent and just let words come to me or whatever God needs to tell me at that very moment to remind myself that I got it. Just let it out. People need to hear it. Whoever likes it, it's for them. If it's not for them, then whatever. I'll try not to overthink things because I do that often with songs and try to self-sabotage myself.
In a recent Instagram post, you stated it's the year to get uncomfortable. What does this mean for you?
When I lived in Cleveland, it was a small city, but coming out here humbled me because I'm like this big ass city. It intimidated the hell out of me. I didn't know anybody. I had to really start from the ground up. It took me some time. I finally feel like I'm settled after almost three years. So, when it comes to the music this year, I just need to get myself out there and get out of my comfort. I'm going to do shows, open mics, and whatever comes naturally. The music is going to be elevated. I'm dipping into different sounds. People always think R&B, and it's like, no, I want to try different shit. I don't even have to be singing on it; you're just going to hear all types of stuff, honestly. It is all within me, and I want people to really see me and not the idea they have of me but the real me.
When can we expect your EP?
I'm leaning toward the end of summer beginning of fall.
Is there anything else that we can expect from you this year?
I have been doing a lot of creative direction for other artists, so I have that going on. Other than that, I want to start producing other artists. So you can expect me to work with some other artists this year. I'm ready to collaborate with other artists, that's for sure.
When I lived in Cleveland, it was a small city, but coming out here humbled me because I'm like this big ass city. It intimidated the hell out of me. I didn't know anybody. I had to really start from the ground up. It took me some time. I finally feel like I'm settled after almost three years. So, when it comes to the music this year, I just need to get myself out there and get out of my comfort. I'm going to do shows, open mics, and whatever comes naturally. The music is going to be elevated. I'm dipping into different sounds. People always think R&B, and it's like, no, I want to try different shit. I don't even have to be singing on it; you're just going to hear all types of stuff, honestly. It is all within me, and I want people to really see me and not the idea they have of me but the real me.
When can we expect your EP?
I'm leaning toward the end of summer beginning of fall.
Is there anything else that we can expect from you this year?
I have been doing a lot of creative direction for other artists, so I have that going on. Other than that, I want to start producing other artists. So you can expect me to work with some other artists this year. I'm ready to collaborate with other artists, that's for sure.
To stay up to date on Sumrr’s music follow her on Instagram. Listen to her music on Apple Music, Youtube and Spotify.
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