Digital Summer

{{Short description|American alternative metal band}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Digital Summer | image = | caption = | image_size = | alias = | origin = Phoenix, Arizona | genre = [[Alternative metal]], [[nu metal]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/digital-summer-drummer-ben-anderson-plays-contra-on-drums-6600051 | title=Digital Summer Drummer Ben Anderson Plays Contra on Drums }}</ref> | years_active = 2006 - 2018 - Inactive | associated_acts = Tragedy Machine, [[Nothing More]] | website = {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20030724094928/http://www.digitalsummer.net/ digitalsummer.net]}} | past_members = Kyle Winterstein Ian Winterstein Anthony Hernandez Jon Stephenson Dan Johnson }}

'''Digital Summer''' was an American [[alternative metal]] band from [[Phoenix, Arizona]], formed in 2006. The band has released three studio albums, ''[[Cause and Effect (Digital Summer album)|Cause and Effect]]'' (2007) ''[[Counting the Hours]]'' (2010) and ''[[Breaking Point (Digital Summer album)|Breaking Point]]'' (2012). Additionally, in 2013, the band released ''[[After Hours: Unplugged & Rewired]]'', which contained acoustic reinterpretations of songs from their first three albums. The band has had six singles break into major radio airplay, including multiple charting singles on Active Rock radio, as a completely independent artist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hardrockhaven.net/online/2013/07/jon-stephenson-of-digital-summer-interview/|title=Jon Stephenson of Digital Summer|date=24 July 2013|publisher=|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref>

==History==

===Formation and ''Cause and Effect'' (2006–2008)=== Digital Summer was formed in 2006 when [[vocalist]] and [[songwriter]] Kyle Winterstein and [[guitarist]] Ian Winterstein enlisted long time friend and [[bassist]] Anthony Hernandez to form the core of the band.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rockrevoltmagazine.com/ibotw-digital-summer/|title=INDIE BAND OF THE WEEK: DIGITAL SUMMER|work=Rock Revolt Magazine|date=15 February 2013 |accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> After a few months, Digital Summer made the addition of Johnmark Cenfield on lead guitar. The band has had a couple different full-time drummers.

The band's first full length release, ''[[Cause and Effect (Digital Summer album)|Cause and Effect]]'', was released on March 8, 2007. “Whatever It Takes,” was the first single and it spent 45 weeks in rotation on Sirus/XM's [[Octane (Sirius XM)|Octane 20]], and got adds from [[KUPD]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.98kupd.com|title=98 KUPD - Arizona's Real Rock |accessdate=8 May 2015}}</ref> [[WWBN]], [[WFXH-FM|WFXH]], [[WIRK|WPBZ]], [[KXTE]], [[KATT]], [[KILO]], [[KXXR]], [[WZBH]], [[WIIL]], Cage Rattle Radio, and more. In addition, "Whatever it Takes" was featured as one of the "Top 4 Songs of the Day" for over six weeks straight on 98[[KUPD]]. The second single “Disconnect,” also enjoyed similar success with over 40 national adds, Sirus/XM's Octane 20, [[WRIF]], [[KSHE]], and KUPD included.

An acoustic version of "Whatever it Takes" was featured in KUPD's Acoustic Scorcher album released at Phoenix area Best Buy locations. The sold-out disc included 10 tracks recorded on-site at KUPD's End of Summer Scorcher by artists such as Sevendust, Corey Taylor of Slipknot, Five Finger Death Punch, Tantric, Cavo, and Digital Summer.

The week of May 8, 2008; Digital Summer was the featured cover story for the [[Phoenix New Times]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2008-05-08/news/relentless-stickering-and-guerilla-marketing-have-made-digital-summer-one-of-the-valley-s-hottest-bands/|title=Relentless stickering and guerrilla marketing have made Digital Summer one of the Valley's hottest bands|author=Benjamin Leatherman|date=6 May 2008|work=phoenixnewtimes.com|accessdate=8 May 2015}}</ref>

Following ''Cause and Effect'', the band released the 2 disc EP/DVD set, ''[[Hollow (Digital Summer EP)|Hollow]]'', on March 31, 2008. The DVD portion of the set included a music video for the song "Rescue Me". The full video production included a scene of a car accident and featured both friends and co-workers of the band.

===''Counting the Hours'' (2009–2010)=== Digital Summer issued their second full-length album, ''[[Counting the Hours]]'', on May 7, 2010. ''Counting the Hours'' was recorded in Phoenix with producer Larry Elyea (who previously worked with [[Jimmy Eat World]], [[Eminem]], [[Adelitas Way]]), mixed by producer Mike Watts (Dear Hunter, Adelitas Way, [[Saliva (band)|Saliva]]), and features guest performances by [[Morgan Rose]] from [[Sevendust]].

The album's first single, "Just Run", was released nationally in early February 2010. In late 2011 the band released the video for "Just Run". The second single, "Hostage", was also released nationally to radio.

===''Breaking Point'' and acoustic album and inactivity (2011–present)=== Before beginning work on a third album, Kyle and Ian Winterstein also released music under their experimental rock side project called "Tragedy Machine". They released their debut album titled ''Pacify'' on June 7, 2011, which contained the 4 EP tracks they had released in 2008 and 11 brand new tracks. In fall of 2011, Digital Summer announced that it had parted ways with guitarist Johnmark "Fish" Cenfield. After auditions were held, on January 26, 2012 it was announced the band chose Jon Stephenson as their new lead guitarist, who joined the band in time to help with recording and writing their third full-length album.

Digital Summer had a management deal with In De Goot Entertainment/ McGathy who boasts artists such as [[Chevelle (band)|Chevelle]], Sevendust, Saliva, [[Shinedown]], [[Puddle of Mudd]], Adelitas Way, 10 Years, and many more. However, Digital Summer parted ways with in De Goot in December 2011 to operate under their own label, Victim Entertainment.

Digital Summer used online [[crowd-sourcing]] platform [[KickStarter]] to involve fans directly in helping fund the recording and release of their new album, titled''[[Breaking Point (Digital Summer album)|Breaking Point]]''. They produced a promotional video for the campaign, which featured praise from Rick DeJesus of [[Adelitas Way]], [[C.J. Pierce]] of [[Drowning Pool]], and Morgan Rose of [[Sevendust]].

''Breaking Point'' was released August 7, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rockaccess.net/2011/11/21/digital-summer-stream-just-run-video/|title=Rock Access – Rock News » Digital Summer Stream "Just Run" Video|publisher=|accessdate=24 September 2014}}</ref> The lead single off the album, "Forget You", which features [[Clint Lowery]] from [[Sevendust]], reached #38 on the Active Rock charts. The album debuted at #13 on iTunes in Rock. On September 10, 2012, an official music video for "Forget You" was released.<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUtRhzPomfU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/aUtRhzPomfU |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|title=Digital Summer "Forget You" Official Music Video|date=10 September 2012|work=YouTube|accessdate=8 May 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref> "Dance in the Fire" was also released as a second single, with an official "tour" music video released on 5 March 2013.<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BQxHzWasmU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/3BQxHzWasmU |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|title=Digital Summer "Dance In The Fire" [Tour Video]|date=5 March 2013|work=YouTube|accessdate=8 May 2015}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The band toured extensively in support of the album. In July 2012, Digital Summer joined hard rock band [[12 Stones]] on the road for a 27-day tour, spanning across the midwest and east coast. {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150610230714/http://www.digitalsummer.net/tour_dates]}} In November 2012, Digital Summer went on tour with [[Taproot (band)|Taproot]] for the Winter Riot Tour through the Midwest. In January 2013, Digital Summer went on a 28 dates tour with heavy rock band [[Nonpoint]] that covers the Pacific Northwest, Southwest and parts of the South. In late 2012 it was revealed that the band parted ways with drummer Ben Anderson and would be using fill-in drummers for the remainder of the touring year.

Digital Summer was one of [[Rock Revolt Magazine|RockRevolt Magazine]]'s "Indie Band of the Week" in February 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rockrevoltmagazine.com/ibotw-digital-summer| publisher=[[Rock Revolt Magazine|RockRevolt Magazine]]™| date=2013-02-15| title=INDIE BAND OF THE WEEK:DIGITAL SUMMER'}}</ref> The full length acoustic album titled ''[[After Hours: Unplugged & Rewired]]'' was released on October 8, 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=687839497896471&set=a.402366613110429.114491.130408570306236&type=1|title=Digital Summer - Cover Photos - Facebook|work=facebook.com|accessdate=8 May 2015}}</ref> A music video for the track "This City" was released on January 8, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=777109652302788&set=a.195494177131008.57054.130408570306236&type=1&stream_ref=10|title=Digital Summer - Timeline Photos - Facebook|work=facebook.com|accessdate=8 May 2015}}</ref>

On January 20, 2014 it was announced that the band would be going separate ways with guitarist Jon Stephenson due to professional differences.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/DigitalSummerBand/posts/784184651595288?stream_ref=10|title=Digital Summer - Out of courtesy we have done our best to... - Facebook|work=facebook.com|accessdate=8 May 2015}}</ref> Thirteen-year-old Austin Rios was announced to be replacement touring drummer.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20140222050333/http://www.away-team.com/metal/tag/derek-kleoppel/ DIGITAL SUMMER Announces Tour With VOLBEAT & TRIVIUM]}}</ref> In January 2014, the band performed at Shiprocked festival alongside such bands as [[Five Finger Death Punch]], [[Papa Roach]], [[Three Days Grace]], Sevendust, [[In This Moment]] and [[Device (metal band)|Device]] among others. In April 2014, they did a U.S. national tour with [[Volbeat]] and [[Trivium (band)|Trivium]] with 25 dates and multiple one-off festival and headlining dates. In June 2015, Digital Summer had announced that Jon Stephenson has rejoined the band. And that based on the direction of the band, they no longer need drummer Austin Rios and made the addition of RED drummer Dan Johnson.

Between 2016 and 2018, the band made numerous announcements regarding work on a new album tentatively titled "Aquarius" and posted clips of songs that were to feature on it. However, the band has been inactive since 2018, with no further announcements or updates ever being posted.

== Members == {{unreferenced section|date=May 2015}} ;Current members * Kyle Winterstein - lead vocals (2006–present) <ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitalsummermusic.com/intro|title=Bio|website=DIGITAL SUMMER|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-10}}</ref> * Ian Winterstein - guitar (2006–present) <ref name=":0" /> * Anthony Hernandez - bass (2006–present) <ref name=":0" /> * Jon Stephenson - guitar (2012-2014), (2015–present) <ref name=":0" /> * Dan Johnson - drums (2015–present) <ref name=":0" /> *Austin Rios (touring) - drums (2014-present) <ref name=":0" />

;Former members * Johnmark Cenfield - guitar (2006–2011) * Chris Carlson - drums (2006-2009) * Ben Anderson - drums (2009–2012) * Justin Pacy (touring) - drums (2012–2013)

== Discography ==

;Albums * ''[[Cause and Effect (Digital Summer album)|Cause and Effect]]'' (2007) * ''[[Counting the Hours]]'' (2010) * ''[[Breaking Point (Digital Summer album)|Breaking Point]]'' (2012)

;EPs * ''[[Hollow (Digital Summer EP)|Hollow]]'' (2008) ;Compilation * ''[[After Hours: Unplugged & Rewired]]'' (2013)

;Singles {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Title ! Album |- |rowspan="3"| 2008 | "Whatever it Takes" |rowspan="3"|[[Cause and Effect (Digital Summer album)|Cause and Effect]] |- | "Suffocate" |- | "Disconnect" |- |rowspan="2"| 2009 | "Rescue Me" |rowspan="2"|[[Hollow (Digital Summer EP)|Hollow]] |- |"Use Me" |- |rowspan="2"| 2010 | "Just Run" |rowspan="2"|[[Counting the Hours]] |- |"Hostage" |- |rowspan="3"|2012-2014 | "Forget You" |rowspan="3"|[[Breaking Point (Digital Summer album)|Breaking Point]] |- | "Dance in the Fire" |- | "Breaking Point" |- |2013 |"This City" |[[After Hours: Unplugged & Rewired]] |- |2015 |"50 Shades"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rock951online.com/ALL-THE-LATEST-/15300377?pid=453516|title=KQRX Rock 95.1 FM - ALL THE LATEST...|work=KQRX Rock 95.1 FM|accessdate=8 May 2015}}</ref> | rowspan="5" |''Aquarius'' <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTzxeJqNthM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211215/YTzxeJqNthM |archive-date=2021-12-15 |url-status=live|title=50 Shades|work=YouTube|date=February 2015 |accessdate=3 March 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref> |- | rowspan="4" |2018 |"Buried Alive" |- |"Push Me" |- |"It's No Good" |- |"Mayday" |- |}

;Music videos * "Disconnect" * "Rescue Me" * "Just Run" * "Forget You" * "Dance in the Fire" * "This City"

== References == {{reflist|2}}

==External links== * {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20030724094928/http://www.digitalsummer.net/ Official website]}} * [http://indiemusicphoenix.com/ Indie Music Phoenix Interview]

[[Category:American alternative metal musical groups]] [[Category:American hard rock musical groups]] [[Category:American post-grunge musical groups]] [[Category:Musical groups from Phoenix, Arizona]] [[Category:Rock music groups from Arizona]] [[Category:2006 establishments in Arizona]] [[Category:Musical groups established in 2006]]