 | This article includes a list ofgeneral references, butit lacks sufficient correspondinginline citations. Please help toimprove this article byintroducing more precise citations.(March 2016) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Tim Sommer | |
|---|---|
| Born | Timothy Andrew Sommer (1962-03-05)March 5, 1962 (age 63) New York City,New York, U.S. |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 1980s–present |
| Labels | Atlantic |
Timothy Andrew Sommer (born March 5, 1962,[1] inNew York City) is an Americanmusic journalist,musician,record producer and formerAtlantic RecordsA&R representative.[2][3] Sommer was thebass player for theslowcore/dreampop bandHugo Largo.[4]
Prior to forming Hugo Largo, Sommer hostedNoise the Show, a pioneering New York City–basedhardcore punk radio show aired during 1981–82 onWNYU.[5]
Sommer was a member of theGlenn Branca Ensemble, and played alongsideSonic Youth'sThurston Moore in the New York Citypunk rock bandEven Worse. He was also an original member ofSwans, but never performed live with them.
Hugo Largo (1984–89) was an American musical group known for their unique lineup of two bass guitars, a violin and singer/performance artistMimi Goese. They released two albums in the late 1980s onBrian Eno's Opal Records label.
Sommer had a small speaking role inTougher Than Leather, a 1988 feature film starringRun-D.M.C.,Beastie Boys and other acts from the mid-1980s New York Cityhip hop movement.
He was a member of the New Orleans–based Hi-Fi Sky, who releasedMusic for Synchronized Swimming in Space in 2005.[6]
Sommer began working with New York City–based rock bandthe Indecent in 2008, in collaboration withStuart Chatwood (formerly ofthe Tea Party), and produced their self-released debut album,Her Screwed Up Head (2010). In the late summer of 2010, along withJulian Raymond, he produced post-album demos for the Indecent which led to the group being signed toWarner Bros. Records.
Since 2010, Sommer has been working on his own project, titled Uncommon Folk, focusing on electric slowcore interpretations of traditional American folk songs, and featuring guest vocals byGlen Campbell,Mavis Staples,Blind Boys of Alabama,Jakob Dylan andRobin Zander.[7][8]
Sommer joined the staff ofTrouser Press at the age of 16 in 1978.[9]
Sommer wrote for theVillage Voice between 1980 and 1984 and worked closely with music editorRobert Christgau; according to journalistMichael Azerrad, in his bookOur Band Could Be Your Life, Sommer was the inspiration for the lyrics of the Sonic Youth song "Kill Yr Idols", in which Moore questioned his friend Sommer's respect for Christgau.
In 1989, Sommer hostedMTV'sPost-Modern MTV, a five-nights-per-week late-night show devoted toalternative music. He was also a senior producer and news correspondent forMTV News. From 1990 to 1992, Sommer ranVH1's music news department, and was the exclusive host for their on-air news programming.
Sommer began working for the A&R department ofAtlantic Records shortly after he left VH1. His first signing for the label wasthe Gits, but their lead singerMia Zapata was murdered four days after the deal to sign the band was completed.[10]
Later in 1993, Sommer discoveredHootie & the Blowfish and signed them to the label that August.[10]
Sommer also worked with7 Year Bitch,Michael Crawford,Duncan Sheik andScott Weiland. He was also involved in the early careers of both the Beastie Boys andKara's Flowers, producing three tracks for the latter in the summer of 2000, shortly before the group changed their name toMaroon 5. These tracks remain unreleased.
Hugo Largo
As producer:
| Artists | |
|---|---|
| Other | |
