The members of Morden-based rock band 'Sumo' may still be in their teens, but this southern Manitoba group already has a setlist that swings from Metallica to the Eagles and everything in between. Fans will get a chance to see them live at the Corn and Apple Festival youth stage in Winkler, where the band promises a mix of grunge, classic rock, and high-energy performances.
Sumo consists of:
Vaughn: guitar & vocals
Ethyn: guitar
Charlie: bass
Sam: drummer
“We probably started around 8th grade...while exploring our boundaries in music,” said guitarist and founding member Sam Hildebrand. “The first biggest influence would have been Metallica. It would have started with me and Vaughn...in my basement and we would just play Metallica for hours on end.”
“We have spent a lot of hours in my basement. A LOT of hours in the basement.” - Sam Hildebrand, SUMO band leader, on the band shaping its sound.
A wide-ranging sound
Sumo has carved out a reputation for versatility in the local live music scene.
“We have transitioned a lot towards more of a grunge kind of sound,” said Hildebrand. “We’ve played some CCR, we’ve played some Eagles, we love playing Hotel California. Yeah, that’s always a fun song to play. We bounce around all over the place really, kind of an all over the place band really, but lots of grunge.”
The band’s dedication comes from countless jam sessions. Hildebrand added, “We have spent a lot of hours in my basement. A LOT of hours in the basement.”
Discovering their voices
Like many emerging Manitoba bands, some of Sumo’s signature style came by surprise. Vocalist Vaughn Fransen admitted he never expected to end up front and center.
“I only started singing like 4 or 5 months ago, like I had never tried until then,” he said. “Then I think I was just in their basement one time I started singing Killing in the Name by Rage Against the Machine and they were like, why don’t you just do vocals for us?”
Finding his voice has meant pushing his range. “Definitely high notes. That’s the biggest difficulty because my voice is naturally lower and it’s hard to get up there most of the time.”
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On stage and online
From Winterfest to Rocks Bar, Sumo has already shared music with crowds across the Pembina Valley. Hildebrand says their next big performance will be a highlight of summer entertainment.
“We’re at the youth stage of Corn and Apple,” said Hildebrand. “We’ll be there Saturday...somewhere around 8:00.”
They’ve also hinted at a possible New Year’s Eve collaboration with The M'Ladies.
For those who want to keep up with future shows, Hildebrand pointed fans online. “We have a Facebook and Instagram page. Feel free to follow us. We’ll be posting about all our shows updates, all that kind of stuff.”
And while post-secondary studies are on the horizon, Hildebrand says Sumo Band has no plans to fade away. “I want to at least try and play a couple of gigs while we’re in university.”
With their mix of raw talent and ambition, Sumo Band is quickly becoming a rising name in live music in Manitoba.