Tim Sommer

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 bellwether Hugo Largo ^[4] and the creator and host of Noise The Show, a pioneering NYC-based hardcore punk radio show. Hugo Largo was an American musical group known for their unique line-up of two bass guitars, a violin and singer/performance artist Mimi Goese. They released two albums in the late 1980's on Brian Eno's Opal/Land record label.

Sommer has participated in many other groups and collaborations before and after Hugo Largo (1984 - 1989), including the New Orleans-based space-cajun group hifisky, the Glenn Branca Ensemble, and he played alongside Thurston Moore in the New York City punk rock band Even Worse amongst others. Sommer wrote for the Village Voice between 1980 and 1984 and worked closely with music editor Robert Christgau, and 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 the Swans, but never performed live with them.

In 1989, Sommer hosted MTV's Post-Modern MTV, a five-nights a week late night show devoted to alternative music. He was also a senior producer and new 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, very 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. Subsequently, 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. The Indecent recorded their Warner Bros debut in the summer of 2011 with Rob Cavallo producing; Sommer will be credited as executive producer, and remains involved in the day-to-day workings of the Indecent.

Discography

Hugo Largo

• Drum (1988)
• Mettle (1989)

Hi Fi Sky

• MUSIC FOR SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING IN SPACE

As Producer

• The Indecent Her Screwed Up Head (2010)
• 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 Warner Bros debut (Executive Producer) 2012

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

• Indy Week http://listings.indyweek.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A164710
• Beastie Mania http://www.beastiemania.com/whois/sommer_tim/
• Johnny Rotten Interview for MTV http://www.johnlydon.com/MTV1.HTM
• Even Worse Myspace page http://www.myspace.com/evenworsemusic
• An eventful night dedicated to Tim http://www.evenworse.com/birthday.html
• http://nymag.com/arts/popmusic/features/beastie-boys-2011-5/
• Michael Stipe interview on Post Modern MTV http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VHg3myQ_2k

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