Get to know singer-songwriter SUMMER CAKE on this unique interview.
SUMMER CAKE is a power to be reckoned with, fascinating audiences together with her distinctive R&B POP sound and magnetic presence. As a singer-songwriter and composer, she’s lent her abilities to a formidable array of 13 unique soundtracks and 9 digital singles, showcasing her versatility and plain talent. Her music transcends genres, mixing catchy melodies with introspective lyrics that resonate deeply with listeners.
Past her musical accomplishments, SUMMER CAKE is a breath of contemporary air in an business. She’s real, form, and passionate, a real function mannequin for aspiring artists. She embraces her femininity with confidence, empowering others to do the identical. With every new launch, she pushes boundaries and challenges expectations, proving to be precisely what we name an thrilling and modern artist in Korea’s music scene.
In an unique interview with Hellokpop, SUMMER CAKE opens up about her newest single, “Squat,” a daring and addictive summer season observe anthem that’s certain to get caught in your head. She shares the inspiration behind the tune, her inventive course of, and the message she hopes to convey to her followers. Get able to dive deeper into the world of SUMMER CAKE and uncover the center and soul behind her music.
Hellokpop: Hello, SUMMER CAKE. Thanks for the interview with Hellokpop! Might you please introduce your self to our viewers and inform us a bit about your musical journey?
SUMMER CAKE: Hey! I’m SUMMER CAKE, an R&B artist from Korea. I’m so excited and comfortable to be interviewed by Hellokpop like this!! I’m overwhelmed that my independently ready music has been launched after 1 12 months and 4 months, and I’ve introduced music with a unique texture from my earlier musical fashion! As I’ve had an extended break, I plan to allow you to hear varied sorts of music often! I’m actually trying ahead to it.
HKP: Congratulations in your new single, “Squat,” launched on August 4! How does it really feel to have this new observe out on this planet?
SUMMER CAKE: I wrote this tune final 12 months and saved it to launch in the summertime. I’m actually glad it got here out on the proper time, and it feels so contemporary. Once I was about to begin my solo profession, I had large considerations about my course, so I went on a month-and-a-half journey to the U.S. with none plans. I feel I had a variety of inspiration, ideas, and modifications throughout that point. It was additionally a time once I turned sure about what sort of music I ought to method you with sooner or later. This album is a problem for me, and it’s actually just the start any more!
HKP: What impressed you to decide on the stage title “SUMMER CAKE”? Is there a selected that means or story behind it?
SUMMER CAKE: My slogan is: “Sizzling like summer season Candy like cake.” My actual title is Kim Min-kyung, however as a result of Min-kyung is such a standard title in Korea, I needed to have a novel title that wouldn’t deliver up anybody else when searched on portal websites! Whereas desirous about a novel title that everybody is aware of the phrases for however nobody else has, I considered summer season and dessert, which I like, and mixed these two phrases (laughs). It’s fairly easy, isn’t it?
HKP: Your debut single, “Love Villain,” was launched in December 2021. How would you describe your musical evolution since then?
SUMMER CAKE: Throughout my earlier actions for a few 12 months and a half, I launched a variety of songs, together with OSTs, totaling about 13! Across the time of my actions, a video of me singing a tune by coach Sung Si-kyung acapella on the audition program “Voice Korea 2020” turned a sizzling subject, and since that tune was a ballad, I had a variety of considerations about whether or not I ought to pursue ballads. It was a time once I acquired a variety of love, so I feel I used to be additionally very confused about my musical id.
My earlier music had a little bit of a kitschy really feel. I feel I launched songs that may very well be simply listened to in a cool approach, however in my future albums, I’m making an attempt to incorporate every thing about me as an individual – what I usually take heed to, what I wish to put on, and what I feel! So I introduced this tune with the key phrases “female + sexual”! I wish to make music that matches my voice tone and means that you can rhythmically and sexily groove anyplace.
I hope that whenever you take heed to this music, you’ll really feel your individual sexiness and temper.
HKP: Are you able to stroll us by your songwriting course of? The place do you sometimes discover inspiration on your lyrics and melodies?
SUMMER CAKE: My course of includes varied kinds. Generally, I begin by writing a narrative, like an essay or a letter, after which create a observe that matches it. Different instances, I make the specified beat first after which write the topline (melody line) on it. I wish to be acknowledged within the vocalist’s realm and likewise pursue sophistication within the total temper. I’m growing my very own fashion to mix these two features nicely!
HKP: Let’s dive deeper into “Squat.” What’s the story behind this tune, and the way does it replicate your present creative course?
SUMMER CAKE: When scripting this tune, I first targeted on key phrases. Sooner or later, I went to the fitness center to work out, and everybody who workouts is aware of the squat place, proper? So, I assumed it could be good to have an simply accessible phrase repeated within the refrain to make it catchy.
I’ve been actually into SZA and Chris Brown currently, and I feel I acquired a variety of inspiration from their vocals. I rap in a whispering fashion in the course of the tune, which was a brand new problem for me, however I feel the lyrics and vibe turned out nice. Not too long ago, a video of me overlaying Chris Brown’s “Beneath the Affect” acquired 1.73 million views on TikTok! I reinterpreted the tune in my very own fashion, so I used to be actually comfortable to see it get so many views. (laughs)
Once I take heed to West Coast music and Afrobeats, my coronary heart races, and I get excited. So, for this tune, I approached it with an Afrobeats rhythm and a pop topline! I hope you may really feel the identical heart-pounding pleasure and vitality that I felt when creating it!
HKP: As each a singer and composer, how do you stability these two features? Does one affect the opposite?
SUMMER CAKE: Once I work on idol music or music for different artists, I are inclined to concentrate on the course and elegance that may swimsuit them greatest. However throughout that course of, I additionally uncover what sort of music fits me!
As a result of I clearly outlined my very own musical course throughout my break, I don’t assume engaged on different artists’ music confuses or negatively impacts my very own music creation. Quite the opposite, I discover the method of making an attempt out varied kinds pleasant, and it permits me to expertise extra genres, which positively provides to my expertise and expertise! (laughs)
HKP: Who’re a few of your greatest musical influences, and the way have they formed your sound?
SUMMER CAKE: I completely love The Weeknd! As I discussed earlier, I’ve been listening to a variety of SZA & Chris Brown lately. I feel they’re artists who do a terrific job of mixing refined beats with high strains that showcase their vocal talents, so I get a variety of inspiration from them. Their music is extremely polished and energetic and has a transparent vibe that they wish to convey. In brief, it’s highly effective.
I’m additionally very impressed by their music, which delivers explosive vitality in reside performances. I wish to carry out so much and provides that form of vitality to the viewers, too!
HKP: What’s been probably the most difficult side of building your self as a soloist within the music business?
SUMMER CAKE: Even now, I really feel like I’m nonetheless within the strategy of discovering my place. Since I’m working independently, it hasn’t been simple managing every thing from idea and music to distribution with simply my A&R good friend Woni and producer Notmixedyet. There’s a lot to do.
I would like my music to go viral and attain extra folks by varied content material and performances, however I really feel like I lack alternatives for that, which is a bit disappointing. That’s why this interview alternative is so valuable to me. I particularly wish to talk extra with worldwide followers, so I even began a Twitter account on the request of my Creamies (laughs). I hope to satisfy you all extra usually in varied locations sooner or later!
HKP: What’s a tune (written by you or another person) that holds particular significance for you?
SUMMER CAKE: Since I used to be in center and highschool, I’ve been an enormous fan of Mariah Carey. I practiced my English pronunciation so much, and despite the fact that I couldn’t attain her excessive notes (laughs), I attempted my greatest to be taught from her and emulate her fashion.
There’s a tune by Mariah Carey referred to as “Hero.” I keep in mind singing “Hero” at my highschool pageant and receiving recognition from my pals and lecturers. I nonetheless can’t overlook the cheers and applause from that stage.
To me, Mariah Carey was like an exquisite vocal instructor!
HKP: Exterior of music, what’s a pastime or curiosity that your followers could be shocked to study you?
SUMMER CAKE: I lately picked up a brand new pastime of adorning classic diaries. Selecting and pasting fairly coloured paper, adorning, and jotting down my ideas really feel like I’m creating one other type of artwork, only for myself. And I like the way it helps me arrange my ideas within the course of!
Additionally, as you might need seen within the music video, there have been many outfits that emphasised my physique strains (I did the styling myself), so I form of needed to be actually diligent with my weight loss program and train! Now, it’s grow to be a behavior, so I feel I’ll proceed to train commonly for my well being and to handle my situation.
HKP: What’s your ultimate solution to spend a day without work whenever you’re not making music?
SUMMER CAKE: I like watching science content material, and journey selection exhibits whereas having fun with scrumptious meals. It makes me really feel so comfortable.
Once I hear concerning the vastness of the universe, I really feel grateful for each single factor in my life as a human being – listening to music, creating music, and feeling the love from my followers. I spent a very long time making ready for my debut as a part of a gaggle. I used to be a trainee for about 8 years, and in Korea, trainees have many restrictions.
So, I get vicarious satisfaction from watching journey content material about nations I haven’t been in a position to go to. It makes me dream about occurring a world tour, performing with my beloved Creamies (my fandom title is Creamie as a result of my title is Cake (laughs), and touring collectively. I wish to make that dream come true.
HKP: Wanting forward, what are your targets on your music profession within the subsequent few years? Are there any genres or musical kinds you’d wish to experiment with sooner or later?
SUMMER CAKE: To present you somewhat spoiler, I feel my subsequent album may have a West Coast hip-hop rhythm? (laughs)
And I wish to launch extra Afrobeats music, too!
I wish to be a performance-oriented artist, so I wish to make energetic music that everybody can groove to and revel in collectively at live shows.
And on the finish of the 12 months, I wish to launch a relaxed tune that focuses on my vocals.
I’ll work onerous to arrange in order that every thing goes in line with plan!
HKP: Lastly, please depart a message to your followers studying this.
SUMMER CAKE: From the second you began liking my music, you turned my Creamies. I actually wish to talk with you all so much. I see all of your curiosity, feedback, and messages of assist, and I would like you to know that they all the time give me nice power in my musical actions!! I’ll proceed to speak with you thru varied social media actions, so please proceed to assist me till the day we meet at a live performance!
Thanks all the time, and I like you, Creamies.
Join with SUMMER CAKE on Instagram, X, YouTube, and TikTok.
Listening to her discography on Spotify or Apple Music.
*Particular due to SUMMER CAKE for this unique interview.