Image courtesy of Sumo Cyco
The name Skye Sweetnam rings a bell with many pop listeners. Her debut album, Noise From the Basement (2004), launched her to mainstream success with her Billboard Top 40 hit "Tangled Up in Me." Since then, Sweetnam has experimented with different music styles, started going by the name Sever, and eventually started the metal/punk rock band Sumo Cyco, with guitarist Matt "MD" Drake. Sumo Cyco has gained a loyal fanbase and made a name for themselves by performing at festivals such as Warped Tour Toronto, NXNE, SCENE Music Festival, and KOI Fest (the latter three through Sonicbids). With their debut album Lost in Cyco City awaiting international release, Sever let us in on what to expect from the record, spilled exciting info on upcoming music videos, and explained how Sonicbids has helped Sumo Cyco open new doors – even for a veteran like herself!
Your debut album, Lost in Cyco City, was released in Canada this past summer and will debut elsewhere in early 2015. For international listeners, what does this album have in store?
Your music videos are self-produced, directed, and starred-in. Where do the ideas for your music videos come from, particularly your latest for "Cry Murder"?
You all have eclectic musical backgrounds. How does this play into Sumo Cyco's sound?
Why did you decide to start using Sonicbids?
You've performed at NXNE three years in a row through Sonicbids. What were these experiences like?
Yonge-Dundas Square is taken over by a giant stage, and the top acts of the festival perform for free. Yonge-Dundas Square the Toronto equivalent of Times Square, so it really is a sight to see bands rocking out between the billboards and skyscrapers. This past year, our drummer had so much fun at NXNE that he forgot he parked his car on the street. He came to get it the next morning and it was towed! A few hundred dollars later, he learned his lesson.
What other Sonicbids gigs have helped your career progress?
What can fans expect from you next?
We are excited to release the fourth installment of Lost in Cyco City this Halloween with "Brave." This video takes place in an old decrepit house where I meet all different types of characters in each room. This video was a crazy one to film, so everyone should check it out. For our next show, we'll be part of Burly Calling in Burlington, ON, this December. We'll be back on the road in early 2015 when the album is released internationally. US, Canada, and overseas tours are in the works! Stay tuned!
