Sumner All That I Am Interview

Pictures Plays with a Wide Variety of Elegant Influences

There's something very special about the enigmatic electronic duo Sumner, consisting of Jack McLaine and Chloe Wilson. The underground newcomers have already played alongside Vera Blue, The Smith Street Band, Montaigne, graced the Falls Festival stage and are a part of the upcoming Party In The Paddock…but in 2018, it's about to get a whole lot bigger with the release of their exciting new single, Pictures, on February 9. This dark RnB track examines solitude, and is the first taste of Sumner's upcoming debut EP, All That I Am (out Feb 16), a release that explores illness, diagnosis, personal struggle and catharsis, all within Sumner's own very cool little world.

Pictures plays with a wide variety of elegant influences; the duo embrace the production style of Lorde's first LP, while adding their own distorted pop/RnB stylings reminiscent of Frank Ocean and heavy bass that feels like something off an Arctic Monkeys record. It's a potent combination that particularly shines on this single, as the duo have skillfully pieced together some seriously eclectic moments to create this one intelligent, mature, hooky song. Reflecting on the inspiration behind the track, Jack and Chloe agree it's definitely about feeling very alone, "The song was inspired by the feeling of being alone in a packed club full of people. Feeling distant and out of touch with the people around you laughing, dancing and having a generally happy time."

The EP All That I Am is further proof that Sumner are one to watch. This collection of songs is perfectly unique and completely self-assured, and not only is that very rare for such a young project – it's precisely what makes them special. All That I Am is effortlessly cool and refreshing, with open vulnerability within the lyrics that overflow atop consistant beds of glowing, pulsating, dexterous production. Jack and Chloe share a little more about the process and the team behind it all, "The EP was entirely self-produced and recorded. We worked with some mates for particular parts such as Shanice Osita Chuku on additional vocals in 45 Roses and Pictures, and Billy Bennett (Save The Clock Tower) on additional guitar for Lover. We also worked with Ross Irwin (The Cat Empire, The Bamboos) for the horn parts on 45 Roses. The EP was mixed by Kevin -KD' Davis (Rihanna, TLC, Destiny's Child, Tupac) and mastered by Grammy Award winner William Bowden (Gotye, Hermitude)."

Music is the constant thread shared between Jack and Chloe, as they reflect on the theme of the EP and what it was that brought them together, "We used music as a catharsis, with the EP following a story from illness to a cleaner, healthier mind with a change of perspective through the process… We met living in the small town of Launceston and finding each other's music through mutual friends. We decided to link up to play a one off gig as 'Sumner' and we haven't stopped making music since."

Pictures will be out on February 9 and All That I Am is set for release on February 16.

 

Stream single: Pictures                        
Stream EP: All That I Am                     
Pre order: Pictures

Interview with Chloe Wilson

Question: How would you describe your music?

Chloe Wilson: Honest lyrics, electronic beats, real guitars and warm R&B influenced rhythms (fat bass is the key). Jack and I love the sounds of Banks, D'Angelo, Kanye West and Lauryn Hill - these influences filter down into our own music.

Question: What inspired Pictures?

Chloe Wilson: Jack and I wanted to capture a sort of melancholy feeling of isolation; feeling isolated despite being surrounded by people. It's all about being out in a nightclub feeling like you should be having the time of your life, but you can't help but feel distance from the laughter and happiness around you. We wanted to disguise this theme in a banging beat to reference this nightclub environment.


Question: If you could have anyone, in the world, attend your show, who would it be?

Chloe Wilson: Oprah Winfrey, I feel like she'd be such a supportive audience member plus who wouldn't want to watch Oprah turn up the dance floor a bit!


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

Chloe Wilson: Performing live every time, I really thrive off of connecting with people through music, watching people move and have a good time with us.


Question: What is the story behind the name, Sumner?

Chloe Wilson: Sumner is my middle name. It was originally my grandfather's name; he was a really great pianist so in a way naming the band Sumner I'm paying tribute to his musical talents.


Question: How did the band come together?
Chloe Wilson: I'd been playing under Sumner as a solo acoustic act, as time went on I wanted to branch out and challenge myself a bit more; diversify the music I was playing. Jack and I had been keeping up with each other's Soundcloud pages before one day we decided to tee up a jam for the first time in preparation for a gig I had picked up. Since then we haven't stopped planning jams!


Question: What motivates you most when writing music?

Chloe Wilson: Tasmanian scenery, books, coffee/gin and my Jazzmaster x


Question: Which music/artists are you currently listening to?

Chloe Wilson: I'm always listening to Erykah Badu and A Tribe Called Quest, some more recent acts I've been loving would have to be Close Counters, Soccer Mommy, and Holy Holy.


Question: What or who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

Chloe Wilson: Playing music! I got my first guitar when I was 3, so it's always just been about writing and playing music for me. My parents always had a radio on or rage on the TV, so that probably helped in some way too!


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

Chloe Wilson: Sting aka Gordon Sumner. The man is a genius songwriter with a seriously great voice, plus there's a family rumour of a distant relation so I've got some questions for the fella!

Interview by Brooke Hunter