Tune In To Black Summer’s New Album “Channel Horror”
Dark, lavish and impossibly hypnotic, Australian EDM maverick Black Summer, aka Rhys Toms, unveils an exciting new artistic chapter via his latest single Cernunnos. A dazzling new track, entirely written, performed and produced by Black Summer, Cernunnos also paves the way for the young artist’s new album Channel Horror, with the deliciously macabre-inspired full-length out now.
Innovative, entrancing and a gnarly take on the hip hop realm, Cernunnos oozes with glossy beats, woozy synths and the sharp vocals of Rhys himself, calling to mind the smooth stylings of JPEGMafia, Denzel Curry, Iglooghost and SpaceGhostPurrp. And while the track confidently flows with effortless ease, Cernunnos ultimately marks a significant turning point in the Black Summer creative journey; and also the first time the world has witnessed Rhys’ vocals in full swing. Rhys tells Hi Fi Way more.
How has the build-up been leading up to the release of the single Cernunnos?
It’s been hectic, exciting and I’ve been pretty nervous about. I’ve been working on this new sound for a while and have been dying to finally get it out now that it’s at a point where I’m happy with my new production and vocals. Putting music out with my own vocals is something I’ve never really done before so it’s been a big step and something really out of my comfort zone. I can’t wait to show this album and what this new era is gonna be though.
Was the process of making your single challenging as you thought?
It was more challenging than I thought it was going to be. Being a vocalist is a completely different world and it surprised me how different it is to just be producing things.
Sonically, how would you describe your music?
This new music if I had to summarize it, is psychedelic, dark, distorted, and alive. It’s a new spin on electronic music and hip hop.
Who would you consider to be the biggest influence on your music and why?
Definitely JPEGMAFIA, Spaceghostpurpp and Igloghost. I’ve been listening to a lot of underground music but these three have inspired me the most. It’s been the reason I’ve felt confident enough to explore new sounds and do stuff I wouldn’t have done before.
Best piece of advice you have been given?
Don’t care about opinions so much and do exactly what you want to do. You’ll regret not taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone if you don’t just do it.
How did the band get together?
I started making music when I was eleven and went viral through an interview with Triple J because of how young I was and what I was doing. As the years went by I dropped singles, did tv adverts, collaborated with so many artists and did performances in front of thousands of people. Through all of that I met my manager that I’m still with today, Chris Tek O’Ryan and am still doing it all, evolving my sound and who I am.
Are you looking to tour more broadly?
100%. I hope to be doing world tours very soon and play all this new music I’ve got in the next year!
What’s next for Black Summer?
More music, more performances and collaborations, and more evolution as an artist. I have so much planned!
Interview By Rob Lyon
Connect with Black Summer
Instagram ~ Spotify
