BC-based country artist, Nicole Sumerlyn has unveiled her new single, “Over A Drink”. It’s a country tune with a rock edge that was written in Nashville by Nicole and Jimmy Thow (Sons of Daughters) and it’s a light-hearted twist on first date drinks and conversations that examines how confidence, chemistry, and purpose are much more meaningful than small talk.
“Over A Drink” is Nicole’s first single as an adult, after early recognition during her teen years – which included opening for Brett Kissel, playing at Nashville’s Bluebird Café, having her first video for “Let’s Get Country” air on The Heartland Network, and being one of the winners of 2015’s Global Country Star Search.
Check out the video for “Over A Drink” below, and find out more about Nicole via our Five Questions With segment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jgjUrzpM94
Care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi Canadian Beats friends!
My name is Nicole Sumerlyn – currently living in Vancouver, and raised in the farming town that is Abbotsford, British Columbia.
I’ve been singing and writing good ol’ country music since the young age of fourteen. Having spent the last ten years touring and working behind the scenes of the music industry, I’ve just released my first official single, “Over A Drink”.
People have said from time to time that I represent a little firecracker who’s known for flippin’ my hair around on stage. I proudly come from a hard-working blue-collar family. We drink out of the bottle and put gasoline on our fires.
If that sounds like your kinda style, I’m sure you and I will get along just fine.
Tell us a bit about your music and writing style.
I’m on the edgy side of country music. My sound has a rowdy and energetic vibe that pays tribute to artists like Gretchen Wilson and Cadillac Three.
Additionally, I grew up listening to a lot of classic country music. I find it very important to keep the traditional sound alive. As much as I like to have a gritty four on the floor feel, I also embrace the angelic twang that is the soft storytelling side of the genre.
I write based on experience. 99% of my songs come from me living the story or knowing someone who has. A song has to have a relatable element for me. It’s important to keep things authentic.
Do you have any upcoming shows? For someone who has yet to see you live, how would you explain your live performance?
I mean, living in this new world that is 2021, live shows are obviously limited. Coming this year, however, there will be many more live stream shows on social media platforms!
I do miss everything about a live, in-person show. Playing live is the whole reason why I do what I do in the first place. My show is all about having a rowdy good time. I want my audience to feel like they can let loose and be entertained. The performance is energetic and vibrant. Whether it’s an acoustic show or with all the boys in the band, I always want the time I have with my audience to showcase a striking and fun stage presence that also can capture attention for a strong lyrical ballad.
If you were asked to suggest only one of your songs for someone to hear, which would it be?
My latest single “Over A Drink” of course. This is my first release since I was fifteen. This song clearly states exactly who I am as an artist, and reflects the sound that I represent. The single foreshadows the kind of sound you’ll be hearing from me coming up in the near future.
Canadian Beats is all about Canadian music, so who are your current favourite Canadian bands/artists?
I’ve got two for ya. Both firehouse, powerful women in music.
First k.d. lang. I’ve been re-listening to a lot of k.d.’s records lately on vinyl. We both share a love for legend Patsy Cline and the sweet sound of traditional country music. Her voice is smooth and impressive as she hits not just the country genre, but jazz and pop as well. I’m a lover of all kinds of music and to have an artist do so well at multiple genres is fantastic.
I also have to give huge love to fellow rednecken’ country music artist, Meghan Patrick. She truly is a badass and a musical force to be reckoned with. There isn’t a bad record that girl has put out. I applaud Meghan because she has stuck her ground in keeping country music alive. She is the real deal when it comes to being authentic when it comes to putting out songs that are relatable to the country lifestyle – which is very refreshing!