In Rotation: South Summit

Perth, Australia is a long way from Brooklyn, but undeniable grooves travel across any map. South Summit started exactly how you want a band to start: five guys crossing paths at a backyard party during the 2020 lockdowns, bonding over entirely different record collections. Zaya, Josh, Fynn, Nemo, and Nathan pulled their distinct cultural backgrounds together and built one of the tightest live acts on the western coast of Australia. Hidden away from the primary East Coast music hubs, they developed a sound entirely their own. They just dropped "HEARTLESS," the latest single off their upcoming sophomore album RUN IT BACK, which hits the streets on June 12. The track moves with pure adrenaline. Zaya’s lead vocals cut clean and urgent through a restless, driving rhythm section. Fynn’s lead guitar pushes the melody forward while Nathan’s drums keep the tempo redlined. South Summit weaves subtle reggae rhythms and hip-hop cadences into standard indie guitar tones. The result is a heavy, locked-in groove that most rock bands spend decades trying to find. These guys have been putting in the labor to earn this current look. Their 2024 debut album The Bliss shot to No. 2 on the ARIA Albums Chart, and they secured a 2025 APRA nomination for their blues and roots joint "Givin' it Up." They even dragged their amps across Europe supporting The Cat Empire. The data is finally reflecting the grind. "HEARTLESS" just landed on Spotify's #NowWatching playlist, and radio stations from New York to Mankato are already putting it in rotation. They kick off a run of shows through Australia and New Zealand starting July 17 at the Lion Arts Factory in Adelaide, bringing LATE 90s along for the Aussie dates before hitting Queenstown and Wellington. If you're anywhere near those stages, secure a ticket. Sometimes you just need a track that hits the gas and never taps the brakes. Hit play below.