Get to Know Us: Kruel Summer - Musical Notes Global

Rising alternative reggae rock band Kruel Summer knows just what listeners need right now: good tunes, good vibes, and human connection.

Formed by former members of the Billboard chart-topping band The Holdup, Kruel Summer brings summery rhythms and the incomparable West Coast energy to music lovers around the globe all year round, and is currently celebrating the success of its most recent release “Another Night.”

As we continue to combat a historic pandemic and cope with its lasting consequences, Kruel Summer’s “Another Night” is the perfect escape in an exhausted world, providing fans with a soothing reprieve from the chaos that has dominated the last few years. Rooted in dynamic and breezy rhythms and melodies and encouraging words, the song was penned with the purpose of soothing those scary feelings of anxiety and daunting stress, and to deliver an instant mood boost to anyone who needs it in musical form.

The upbeat California-based group sat down with Musical Notes Global to share more details about its new single, their go-to pre-gig rituals, and more. Get to know Kruel Summer below!

For those of you who don’t know us, we are KRUEL SUMMER from California. Clev Stiles-Lead Vocals and Guitar, Ben Dimmitt-Lead Guitar, Shane Billings-Drums, Chris Reed- Bass, Keys, Backup Vocals.

This is why we call ourselves Kruel Summer:
CLEV: Every year when June comes around I perk up and revive, I get stoked to be out in the sun on the beach playing music with my band and friends. It's really the best time of the year especially here in California.

One year literally on the first day of summer, I received a phone call from my sister with bad news: she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. That absolutely crushed me; it was the hardest thing I'd ever end up facing. As that year progressed, Ben Dimmit (Lead Guitar) and I decided we needed a band name. That initial phone call was always on my mind because what I thought was a call to plan a summer trip turned out to be the worst call I had ever received. It was and always will be the one summer I considered Cruel.

Here's the scoop on our new single:
CLEV: Our new Single "Another Night" is an absolute summer banger. It's a feel-good summer anthem that will instantly release any stress or worry. It will make you feel like you're on a slow summer drive to the beach with the music blasting.

It was inspired by:
CLEV: It was inspired for anyone having a bad day, a bad week or going through any tough times. I dealt with a lot of personal stuff the last few years and I always wanted a happy uplifting melody I can sing away to. “Another Night” is just that. It's a song for anyone dealing with stress and anxiety who needs an instant mood boost. An attempt to overturn any negative feelings of worry and stress to bring energy and happiness. An uplifting feel good summer song. I dare you to play this song and not instantly feel happy.

To me, this song represents an escape from dealing or battling anything that is currently sucking away energy. It instantly takes me away—I am suddenly on a beach somewhere sipping with my friends. It represents hope for anyone who needs an instant mood booster and confirmation that yes, everything is going to be alright. - CLEV

I hope listeners listen to the lyrics and connect. Sing along and dance, it's a feel good song for you to let go and let loose. - CLEV

The artists who have most influenced us are:
CLEV: There are too many to list and it always changes, so I'll mention the artists that influenced this particular song. The Dirty Heads, Katastro, Pepper and Magic! I was listening to a lot of these bands when I was writing the lyrics to “Another Night.”

CHRIS: I think one of the coolest things about us, as a group, is that we all are inspired by some of the same artists, but also by soooo many different ones too. This means we all can meet in the middle of our similarities while carrying completely different perspectives to the music as well.

Music is:
CHRIS: Is the greatest therapy tool I have. It connects my heart and soul to itself each and every day. It also has the power to save lives and inspire, not to mention its transcendent ability to create a vibe for its listener. Music will always be one of my greatest tools to get me through life. It makes me happy when I’m down, provides solace in hard moments and is each and every one of our personal soundtrack.

BEN: …continue to help us navigate life thru melody, rhythm/beats, content, and energy…preferably live.

CLEV: A remedy, vision and mood booster. I play music around 10-12 hours a day everyday. It's the first thing I do when I wake up, it instantly wakes me up and puts me in a good mood to start my day. Music is so many things, but for me it has always been my natural mood booster.

This is my pre-gig ritual:
SHANE: This is my pre-gig ritual: 2 Coronas and 20 minutes of drum pad work to warm up my hands and forearms. I’ll knock this out in the green room or my car if it’s a smaller venue. I have a routine of paradiddles, double stroke practice, and accent work that helps me lock-in and find the pocket on our first song of the set.

CHRIS: I usually just enjoy kicking it with the guys. I think connecting as humans and laughing our asses off before we hit the stage helps bring me peace. It’s a great reminder why we’re all there—to have a great time!

BEN: This is my pre-gig ritual: mostly carrying all of Shane’s sh#% from the van to the stage, but also some cheeky banter, warm up…and maybe even a little tequila.

CLEV: I have a playlist I created specifically for this. It's a playlist called "Showtime"; it's a mix of some of my favorite artists that pump me up to perform. I have these cool BOSE sunglasses that play music—I usually rock those before our set to energize me. That playlist, a final piss and 1 shot of Tequila before the set, equals magic!

You wouldn't know this about us, but:
SHANE: we all take a trip to the lake as a band every summer.

CLEV: we almost named the band COOL SUMMER.

BEN: we’re humble, grateful, and at the same time vaya con dios AF.

CHRIS: I never played bass before joining the band LOL.

My hidden talent is:
CLEV: I can listen to a song and tell you what song they copied. I was a DJ many years ago, so my ear is trained to find songs that sound alike (chord progressions, melodies etc) to mix or blend. It also helped me a lot when I began songwriting; I would choose a chord progression and create a new melody with my own lyrics. That is actually a secret tip for all you songwriters haha.

SHANE: Playing baseball. I played one year of pro ball directly after college.

BEN: This is a new one I’ve been working on, but cable management is certainly becoming a talent.

My favorite thing about this summer was:
BEN: We’ve had a lot of fun this summer…if I had to pick one thing, maybe all the daylight that enables the other things?

CHRIS: Playing with Kruel Summer all across California.

SHANE: My favorite thing about this summer has been our trip to SLO where we played a couple shows, but also had a couple off days so we got to vacation with the band at the same time.
CLEV: Getting the hell out of my house. The last few years with Covid has had us locked down. It's nice to be able to go out and hang out with friends and, more importantly, do shows again.

A few songs on my playlist right now are:
SHANE: “My Wave” by DENM and “Higher Place” by Skip Marley

BEN: Slackers - “Wasted Days,” Dirty Heads - “Life’s Been Good,” Skeez and Mike. - “I Love My Homies,” John Craigie - “Laurie Rolled Me A J,” Academy - “Living Room”…and of course “Another Night” - Kruel Summer.

CHRIS: “Just too broken” by Kruel Summer, “Catch my Wave” Cisco Alder, Iration, “I’m “Messed Up,” Hirie (Sugar Shack Sessions)

CLEV: Arden Jones, “Ordinary.” This was actually a song that reminded me a lot of a melody I created for a song almost a decade ago. This kid is mad, talented and not really known yet, but he is gonna blow. Little Simz, “Two Worlds Apart.” This song has a super vintage hip hop vibe to it and the rhyme and flow is so unique. A laid back banger to spark a joint to. Coin, “Killing Me.” Coin has been one of my favorite bands for the last few years. They are absolutely incredible song writers and put on a killer show. This song in particular is in my opinion the song of the year for 2022.

For the rest of 2022, we're looking forward to
CLEV: To see the response of "Another Night." I am so curious to see how this song will resonate with fans and critics. It's a song that has been on my hard drive for years and to see it finally come alive and be released is exciting. That and more live shows!

CHRIS: Growing as a band, having fun adventures with my wife, kids and friends. I just want to feel all that love that is out there in the world and soak it the fuck up!

SHANE: For the rest of 2022, we're looking forward to dropping and promoting our upcoming single, “Another Night”!

Stream “Another Night” below.