Here we go again… Last year we covered every band on the Hobgoblin New Blood and Jagermeister stages in the run-up to Bloodstock 2015. This year, we’re going one better and aim to have interviews from all the bands on those two stages as well as all of those on the SOPHIE stage prior to the event kicking off on August 11th. That’s almost 100 interviews to get online for you lucky people over the course of the next couple of weeks. I bloody love this job, but you lot owe me a beer at Catton Hall, right?
Thanks to all the bands who’ve taken the time to respond!
Sümer – SOPHIE stage, Thursday
Vocalist/guitarist Ian Hill answered for us…
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
We’re all from Surrey and Hampshire originally. Tim now resides in North east London.
How did you meet?
We met from playing local shows, Jim and I played together in a band called Sinuism; Tim, Taria and Toby played in a band called Maiea. The two bands split and we later formed SÜMER after jamming together.
How long have you been playing together as a band?
Sometime around 2010 I believe. I was the last to join in late 2010, early 2011.
Where does the name of the band come from?
I’m often asked this question and I always defer. I wasn’t in the band when it was named and I’d only mess up the explanation.
What are your influences – individually or as a band?
I’m not sure there is enough space to answer that… We all have a pretty wide taste. I’d definitely say we all grew up listening to metal and grunge though.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
We’re quite often described as being quite Proggy… It certainly contains elements of that and we have three guitarists which allows us to create a fairly wide sound. But then to counter that, we’ve also been told that “without a keyboard, you ain’t Prog!”
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
That’s a good question. It must be in the hundreds by now. I’d say our shows are loud, energetic and sweaty.
When/how did you find out you’d been selected to play at Bloodstock?
We entered the M2TM’s competition in London and although we didn’t win, we were promised by Simon Hall a slot on the New Blood stage the following year. He stuck to his promise and we did. This year we were lucky enough to be invited back to play on the Sophie stage. It’s cool that it’s not just about playing the competition, play the festival, then that’s that. The guys like to keep an eye on the acts and to be given the chance to play again is an honour!
What sort of setlist can we expect?
We are working on our second album so maybe a new track. But who knows!
Which main stage band do you most hope you’re not clashing with so you can see them play?
We’re playing on the Thursday night at 19:40! I think it’s the only stage with bands playing that night so hopefully no clashes with anyone!
What are you working on at the moment?
As I said, we’re working on album number two and hopefully a tour in the latter part of the year!
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done on tour?
We’ve not had a fully fledged tour, as it were, so I can’t really say with regards to that… And having seen some fairly wild behaviour, it’s probably best not to share it!
What advice would you give to a young band just starting out today?
Jim has answered this question before and I think he answered it well. Don’t be a dick!! Be nice, work hard and play lots!!
If you could be part of any 3-band line-up who else would you have on the bill? One band above you and one below – a chance to plug a smaller, unsigned act!
To support Karnivool would be incredible and For the Oracle. I’ve only recently heard them but what I’ve heard sounds awesome!
What stage / time are you playing at Bloodstock (if you have your slot yet!)
Thursday, Sophie stage, 19:40!! We can’t wait!!
