Summer (singer)

Summer XO

Summer XO Performing in Paris in July 2012
Background information
Birth name Summer Rose Virshup
Genres Pop, Indie pop
Occupation(s) Musician Songwriter Visual Artist
Instruments Vocal, Guitar, keyboards, ukulele
Years active 2006-present
Labels Independent
Website www.SummerXO.com

Summer XO, (born Summer Rose Virshup on August 12, 1985[1]) is a Los Angeles-based American singer-songwriter who plays guitar, piano, and ukulele. Though not her primary focus, she is also a visual artist who creates poster-size pastel drawings of abstract emotive female faces.

Musical Career Biography

In May 2014, she ran a successful Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to release a six-song EP, titled, "Hello World." [2] This EP is scheduled to be released in February 2015. Half the songs are being produced by producer Mikal Blue, who is best known for his work on Colbie Caillat's "Coco_(album)."

Before renaming herself Summer XO in 2013, she performed under the names "Summer" and "Summer The Artist."

In June 2013, she released the song "Invented The Word",[3] which was accompanied by an official music video. It was produced by Henry Strange and Uri Djemal.

In August, 2012, Summer digitally released a cover version of the Cyndi Lauper song, True Colors (song), produced by Henry Strange and Jess Stroup.[4]

Summer released the album Timing And Lighting [5] on LossLess Records in September, 2008. It was produced by Henry Strange, with the exception of the song, "Messed Up," which was produced by Jess Stroup.

In October, 2006, Summer was recognized as one of the “Top Ten Songwriters of 2006” by the Portland Songwriting Association.[6]

Summer XO with one of her Wechter Pathmaker guitars

Summer XO exclusively plays handmade Wechter brand acoustic guitars that have a visually unique double cutaway body style. She owns three Wechter Pathmaker Elite series.[7] She often performs with all three on stage because of her use of different guitar tunings.

Visual Art Biography

Since 2005, Summer XO has been regularly continuing her work on a series of pastel drawings of abstract female faces that depict a clear emotion. She sells them online through her website. Due to the subject matter, Summer XO refers to the pieces in this series as "The Girls." She also often displays her drawings on stage during music performances.

Personal life

Summer XO moved to her current residence in Los Angeles in March 2012.

From December 2011 to January 2012, Summer XO lived in Paris, France. While there, she busked in the Paris metro and played live shows.[8]

Originally from West Virginia, Summer XO has taken up residence in Tampa, FL, Aix-En-Provence, France, Los Angeles, CA, Philadelphia, PA, Chicago, IL, Portland, OR, Miami, FL, and Paris, France.

From 2002-2006 and 2009-2011, Summer worked seasonally as a Marketing Tour Manager managing events for a variety of products and traveling across the United States for her work.

Summer XO is just over 6' tall.

Summer XO's marital status as of 2014 is unmarried.

Early life

Summer XO is the eldest of five children. She spent most of her youth in the small town of Bridgeport, WV. Her father is an engineer and her mother is a homemaker.

Discography

Singles

Studio albums

References

  1. ↑ "UBL: artist profile - Summer". Ubl.com. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
  2. ↑ "Finishing Summer XO's Hello World EP" (website). kickstarter.com. Retrieved 2014-11-28.
  3. ↑ "Invented The Word on iTunes" (website). iTunes.com. Retrieved 2013-06-01.
  4. ↑ "True Colors on iTunes" (website). iTunes.com. Retrieved 2013-06-01.
  5. ↑ "True Colors on iTunes" (website). iTunes.com. Retrieved 2013-06-03.
  6. ↑ "psa_newsletter_spring2007.FH10" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-11-29.
  7. ↑ "photo of Summer's live performance with Wechter Guitars". Facebook.com. Retrieved 2012-12-19.
  8. ↑ "Summer to offer Paintings in Online Store". Fanbridge.com. Retrieved 2012-12-19.

External links