Summer School - A Fresh Voice in the Northwest

Summer School may be the newest kids on the block, but their members are far from strangers to the limelight: Joseph Carag, formerly a songwriter for indie singer Ragamuffs, brought his knack for catchy melodies with hits like Lainey, Lainey and Sunset Chaser and Legend Pham spent years touring with various pop-rock bands, performing at Austin’s South by Southwest and the iconic Vans Warped Tour.

The duo connected through pop producer Cameron Kuwada in Los Angeles, and soon decided to form a new band. They recruited drummer Andrew Chegash from Apex, NC, guitarists Joseph Son from North Carolina, and Tyler Parsons from Bend, OR, rounding out a lineup that blends diverse musical backgrounds into one cohesive, high-energy unit.

Collaborative Creativity

Each member brings a distinct flavor to the band. Joseph and Legend’s roots in indie and pop-rock intersect with Andrew’s jazz and soul history, Joseph Son and Tyler’s versatile guitar work. This diversity has created a layered, genre-blending sound that remains both fun and adventurous. 

“In the collaborative process, it's been a bit of a different change, but it's been good because there's just like a wide exchange of ideas,” they explain.

The Sound and the Name

Summer School’s very first song, written together, “Sweet Tea,” captures the band’s “shimmery surf vibes,” reflecting the playful yet polished energy that defines their music. The name itself, while simple, stuck instantly and mirrors the easy-going, summery feel of their sound.

“We were Ski School for like a day, and I don't know if that was going to hit and roll off the tongue…Summer School was just kind of stuck. And, technically, it's not even Summer School.

It's actually Summer’s Cool.”

Songwriting is a collaborative process, often layering a multitude of tracks to create depth and nuance. Though in name and tone, Summer School brings a distinct indie pop vibe, sonically their music doesn’t shy away from experimentation, and doesn’t confine itself to one straight genre. Lo-fi textures, unexpected tempo shifts, and utilizing their diverse skillset to push the boundaries of their music, giving you a few unexpected twists and takes on the classic indie surf rock/pop feel. 

“I feel like songs that are most interesting to me nowadays are like, the weirder you can make it, the better.”

Influences and Inspirations

Summer School draws inspiration from a wide array of artists. Classic influences like The Beatles inform their approach to melody and experimentation, while contemporary acts like Greek, Porches, and Keys inspire modern production techniques and unconventional structures. Each member also looks beyond their own genre, allowing fresh ideas to influence their music and keep the sound evolving and changing.

Live Shows - The Highs and Lows 

For Summer School, live shows have played a huge role in their identity. Energetic and immersive, their performances aim to translate the same enthusiasm from the studio to the stage. 

While their music primarily appeals to early 20s listeners, the band hopes to reach anyone willing to engage with their vibrant sound. From East Coast tours to SXSW and Canadian shows, the band has already built a reputation for bringing a high-energy, memorable live experience.

Of course, not every stop on tour is smooth sailing. While on the road, the band stayed at an Airbnb with a suspicious address of 666 (a detail they laughed off until the house started to feel… off).

“We're not that superstitious, right?” they recalled, “but things started to get weird because we had a gas leak problem… first thing that we were experiencing - it smells like eggs and like sulfur.” 

Turns out, there was a gas leak. Add in flickering lights, mysterious noises, and a creepy portrait of a woman on the wall, and it quickly became a real-life horror movie. At 3 a.m., running on no sleep, they packed up and drove straight to their next tour stop that same night.

The PNW

Seattle’s music scene has played its part in building up what Summer School is - with venues like Barboza as touchpoints, Summer School has been leaning into and exploring what the PNW and Seattle scene have to offer.

 Though not all members have been in Seattle most of their lives, they’re finding their way through the rich history and blazing music scene in the city. 

“I think all of us are still bringing a mix from our own hometowns and creating our own entity. 

But we're very open to getting that Seattle sound, that very raw feel. So I think the more we dive into the music scene, we could get that better understanding.”

Looking Ahead

With new music on the horizon and a growing following, Summer School is just getting started. Their sound is layered, summery, and boundary-pushing, and is a fresh voice in the Northwest.

Find them on Spotify, Apple Music, and Instagram, and you just might be able to catch them live for a high-energy experience that’s as fun as it is unforgettable.