Tim Sommer

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Timothy Andrew Sommer (born in New York) is an American musician, record producer, former Atlantic Records A&R representative,[1][2] WNYU DJ,[3] Trouser Press journalist, MTV News correspondent, and VH1 VJ. Tim is perhaps best known as a bass player in the slo-core/dreampop band Hugo Largo.[4] Hugo Largo was an American musical group known for their unique lineup of two bass guitars, a violin and singer/performance artist Mimi Goese. They released two albums in the late 1980s on Brian Eno's Opal/Land record label. Sommer was also known as the creator and host of Noise the Show, a pioneering New York City-based hardcore punk radio show aired during 1981-82 on WNYU.

He has participated in many other groups and collaborations before and after Hugo Largo (1984–89), including the New Orleans-based space-cajun group Hifisky and the Glenn Branca Ensemble. He played alongside Thurston Moore in the New York City punk rock band Even Worse among others. Sommer wrote for the Village Voice between 1980 and 1984 and worked closely with music editor Robert Christgau; according to journalist Michael Azerrad in his book Our Band Could Be Your Life, Sommer was the inspiration for the lyrics of the Sonic Youth anthem "Kill Yr Idols," in which Thurston Moore questioned his friend Sommer's respect for Christgau. Sommer was also an original member of Swans, but never performed live with them.

In 1989, Sommer hosted MTV's Post-Modern MTV, a five-nights-per-week late-night show devoted to alternative music. He was also a senior producer and news correspondent for MTV News. From 1990 to 1992, Sommer ran vh1's music news department, and was the exclusive host for their on-air news programming.

As an A&R representative, Sommer was integrally involved with the success of Hootie & The Blowfish, and also worked with The Gits, 7 Year Bitch, Michael Crawford, Duncan Sheik, and Scott Weiland. He was also involved in the very early careers of both the Beastie Boys and Kara's Flowers, producing three tracks for Kara's Flowers in the summer of 2000, shortly before the group changed their name to Maroon 5. These tracks remain unreleased. More recently, Sommer has produced New York City-based rock band The Indecent, and in collaboration with Stuart Chatwood (formerly of The Tea Party), is working on his own project titled Uncommon Folk, which features electric slocore interpretations of traditional American folk songs, and features guest vocals by Glen Campbell, Mavis Staples, Blind Boys of Alabama, Jakob Dylan, and Robin Zander.

In 2010, he produced the self-released debut album by New York City-based rock band The Indecent, titled Her Screwed Up Head. In the late summer of 2010, along with Julian Raymond, he produced post-album demos for The Indecent which led to the group being signed to Warner Bros. Records. Sommer remains involved in the day-to-day workings of The Indecent.

Sommer also has a small speaking role in Tougher Than Leather, a 1988 feature film starring Run-D.M.C., The Beastie Boys, and other acts from the mid-1980s New York City rap movement.

Discography

Hugo Largo

As Producer:

  • Hetch Hetchy - Swollen (1990)
  • Drunken Boat - See Ruby Falls (1990)
  • Cowboy Mouth - Hurricane Party (2000) unreleased
  • Kara's Flowers - MCA demos (2000) unreleased
  • Todd Kearns - MCA demos (2000) Unreleased
  • Paul Sanchez - Hurricane Party (2001)
  • Alexandra Scott - Spyglass (2003)
  • Alexandra Scott - Spring (2005)
  • The Indecent - Her Screwed Up Head (2010)

References

  1. ↑ EW.com - Tim Sommer Atlantic A&R
  2. ↑ Don Gehman talks about Tim Sommer Atlantic A&R
  3. ↑ Beastiemania bio of Tim Sommer
  4. ↑ Trouser Press talks about Tim and Hugo Largo

Other links

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