Artist Spotlight & Style Guide: Summer Hoop

Posted on Apr 14, 2026

INTERVIEW: Alessandro DeCaro

PHOTOS: Mack Knox

Welcome to Artist Spotlight, our new series where we introduce you to fresh and exciting artists you need to hear now! This week we are shining a light on the Tampa-based alternative pop-rock singer/songwriter Summer Hoop. From penning heartfelt and infectious pop-inspired rock songs such as “You vs. Everyone” and taking part in high-profile collaborations with artists like Bilmuri (“THE VOID APPROACHETH”), Summer Hoop is undoubtedly an artist to keep on your radar in 2026.

In an exclusive interview with Haus Of Cult/The Pretty Cult, Summer Hoop discusses her musical origin story overcoming trauma through songwriting, working with Bilmuri, her bucket list of dream collaborators — as well as fashion, hobbies and so much more!

Additionally, we asked Summer Hoop to pick three of her favorite The Pretty Cult items from our store and provide a style guide. Read the interview and view the style guide below!

Can you walk us through your origin story with music, from your earliest influences to the moment you discovered your singing voice and realized this was something you wanted to pursue seriously?
Summer Hoop: My dad was my earliest introduction into music in general, and lucky for me, that man loved all rock/alternative/metal/punk. So I would hear all the CDs he would play in the car when I was a kid, which was such a wide range of artists such as The Killers, Radiohead, Kittie, Stone Temple Pilots, The Sounds, Limp Bizkit, etc. I latched onto certain records personally at a young age like Avril Lavigne’s Let Go and Fall Out Boy’s From Under the Cork Tree (which my dad got me for my birthday when I was like 8 or something haha). I always loved to perform too—I started doing plays and musicals in like 3rd grade because I just wanted to be on stage and sing, and then played with my first little dumb band in 7th grade and we would do Paramore and Guns N’ Roses covers. So I don’t know if there was a definitive point where I decided my fate as a musician; it just felt like it was always my passion and I was always singing at all times whenever somebody would listen. I started writing music in high school and realized I could actually make this a profession because I felt like I had so much to say.

For someone hearing your music for the first time, how would you describe your sound and overall vibe in a quick elevator pitch?
Summer Hoop: It’s alternative-pop-rock because I feel like it could be any of those genres at any given time. It’s self-deprecating, introspective, and often super exposing, but I promise the hooks are infectious and will make you want to dance or perhaps cry or perhaps both at the same time.

You have already collaborated with Bilmuri on tracks like “THE VOID APPROACHETH,” which is huge. Are there any artists or bands you dream of collaborating with next?
Summer Hoop: First of all, I LOVE the song with Bilmuri, so grateful to be on it. Johnny is one of the kindest and most genuine people I’ve met through music, and that song BANGS. I would love to work with Lynn Gunn from Pvris one day; her writing is so unique and special. All-time dream would be to do anything with Fall Out Boy, but HEY, a girl can dream. All these artists hit my line if you’re reading this because I’m sure you have nothing better to do, right: BMTH, Don Broco, Julia Wolf, Royal & The Serpent, Hayley Williams, The Home Team, Scowl, Movements.. (please I’ll give you $2)

Out of your discography so far, which song holds the most personal meaning to you and why does it stand out?
Summer Hoop: It’s probably this song called “Think That You’re Lonely” that is honestly a straight-up pop song pretty much, but the message of it is very honest and I feel like I found the perfect way to package up my feelings on a really traumatic relationship with a little bow. I met somebody when I was very young and had a super turbulent relationship with them that affected me badly. It still affects the relationships that I have in my life because it was my first time loving/learning how to love somebody in a romantic relationship, and I went through lots of things that I shouldn’t have at that age and didn’t know how to detach myself from it because my brain was convinced that it was normal and I just had to put up with lots of emotional abuse. I knew it was special when I wrote it—it was one of the first songs I made with Will Carlson and Johnny Franck (Bilmuri,Attack! Attack!), and I feel like we all felt how special it was that day in the room. The chorus SOARSSS.

Your latest single “You vs. Everyone” feels especially vulnerable and impactful. What is the backstory behind this track, and what message were you hoping to communicate?
Summer Hoop: I wrote that song about a friendship that I had for a very long time which ultimately made me feel more bad than good most of the time. I feel like I have sort of surrendered to people with narcissistic mentalities for most of my life because I felt like it was easier than trying to prove a point to somebody who can only ever see themselves as a victim in every situation. I think some situations are a lost cause, and letting go can be such a bittersweet relief. I was hoping the song would help people reflect and look in the mirror and question if they’re judging too much when they don’t have a leg to stand on. Honestly, I just want somebody to be sitting in the car feeling like they made the right decision on a situation and screaming the song. I wrote it in LA with my friend Jojo Centineo—I love him.

You are based in Tampa, Florida, which you often joke about online. How has being in Tampa shaped you as an artist, and how would you describe the local music scene?
Summer Hoop: I don’t know why being from Tampa feels so funny sometimes; I just make fun of it because people seem to have a perception that Florida natives are a different breed, and the more I travel the more I kinda see what they are saying. You know how many shows I have played sweating my balls off in the Florida sun in literally like November or something hahah. We have a pretty big indie scene here, I feel like that has always been prominent, which I never really felt like I fit into. We have a good hardcore scene as well, obviously another genre I don’t fit into strictly, but it’s there!! I think I’ve just become super appreciative of all the types of music we have because at the very least I just want community. Everyone wants community, I hope. I think being in a city like Tampa really makes me relentless because I want people to see how much insane talent we have here.

You are no stranger to writing music as a way “to battle inner demons” as you have described. What themes do you naturally gravitate toward when writing, and how do you hope your music helps listeners going through their own struggles?
Summer Hoop: Always battling forever, unfortunately! As I stated when talking about “Think That You’re Lonely,” I deal with some trauma from past relationships, and due to that I have set lots of other things on fire and it has left me with lots of things to work on, which is nice to reflect on in song and be brutally honest not only with the listener, but with myself. I’m a masochist and have a little taste for destruction, and I’m at a point where I’m actively un-learning that and writing a lot about it. Also, in general I just write about life kinda throwing you through the ringer; the inner child in me has been slowly exiting the body after being exposed to so much. I’ve tried to numb that in many ways, though I just started a sobriety journey about 4 months ago. I hope that somebody hears a song that I wrote and goes “wow it’s like she’s inside of my head, and she seems to be doing okay so I can be okay too.” I think that’s what most artists want—to connect and also be an escape for people.

Who or what is your biggest style icon or inspiration?
Summer Hoop: I’m really not sure EXACTLY where my taste comes from, I want to be able to step out however I feel like and it not surprise anybody. I like when people can be comfortable in their femininity and masculinity, so I’ve tried to collect a wardrobe that can serve me in whatever mood I am feeling. I’m sure artists that I love have influenced me along the way; Avril had the tie on first and man I love a tie lmao. Hayley Williams always had the boots on even in a dress and I absolutely die for a big boot. The internet and Pinterest and deep diving socials are also great tools for inspo, but I kinda just go with my gut and if I’m vibing.

What is your process like when putting together outfits for your live shows?
Summer Hoop: The first step when picking an outfit for a live show is understanding what makes you feel confident and secure and comfortable. I love a pleated mini skirt because then I can wear a massive boot and that makes me feel like a little cartoon character, which in return makes me feel confident for some reason. I also have learned I love when things feel like a uniform? I always vibe in a button-down like I’m about to clock in on stage and teach a class on my music and how hard I feel like it bangs. I also like to find one piece that really carries the outfit, like big skater pants with lots of straps, and then they can be the star of the show and I work to try to complement them. At the end of the day I’m just going with my heart—if I feel light and sensual that day I will lean into it, and if I feel like I need to stand on business and grit I will also lean into that.

Outside of music, what does a typical day in your life look like, and do you have any hobbies or routines that help keep you grounded?
Summer Hoop: I have a day job, I’m a bartender (womp womp). BUT I have to be able to pay for recordings and photoshoots and videos and clothes <3 I’m also into weightlifting, it takes my head out of my phone for a couple hours and I get to just play my favorite songs and vibe. I love to go see live music whenever I can, whether it’s local artists or big ones; now that I don’t drink anymore I would prefer to have something entertaining me like an artist on stage instead of just going to a bar lol. Also drinking lots of caffeine and eating lots of food—those feel like hobbies, I take them very seriously.

Looking ahead, what is next in the world of Summer Hoop in terms of new music, touring, or anything else fans should be excited about?
Summer Hoop: I’m going to release my debut EP this year! Yes, I have many, many songs out already, but this is going to be something well thought through and packaged cohesively. I will also be touring more, making it out to the West Coast. There will probably be a few collaborations as well. I’ve been working so hard I feel like I’ve kinda been going rogue online, but it will all be worth the wait.

STYLE GUIDE BELOW