We were lucky to catch up with Kimeon Sumler recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kimeon, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Growing up I was apart of many prestigious music programs and around amazing mentors. Anytime my mentors did something pertaining to what I wanted to know and learn about I was either over their shoulder watching or asking a million questions. Afterwards, I would go home and research deeper into what I had learned prior.

Knowing what I know now, I would have pushed into bigger spaces and around more professionals earlier. The best move I ever made was making a Facebook post in a production tech group at age 18 asking for work. My career would not be anywhere near what it is today without that Facebook post.

The most essential skills I’ve used are resilience, adaptability, quality/integrity of work, and the use of my name. Networking is everything in any field. Being able to make situations work that any other person would give up on will always set you apart. A quote that I live by: “At ALL cost…make it work.”

Obstacles that stood in the way of learning is always going to be money. The gear I work on is very expensive. I started learning my craft as a young child age 2 for drums and age 15 for sound engineering/ producing.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hello! I’m Kimeon Sumler aka “Pinko.” Owner of Havok City Studios and Entertainment LLC. Redroom Music Inc. and Co-owner of Good Brother Sound LLC.

I’ve been working in the industry professionally for 8 years. I started playing drums at the age of 2. I became an audio engineer and production tech at age 18. By the time I was 19 years old I had played behind Bootsy Collins with The Legendary IU Soul Revue, mixed front of house for Young Joc, Ray J, I was a member of the Pacers High Octane Drum line as well as admitted into one of the top jazz institutions in the world: Indiana University Jacobs School of Music as a Jazz Drum set Performance Major.

Getting into the industry was really a mixture of perfecting the craft and networking for me. I was blessed to be taught under some amazing mentors who were known in the industry for providing outstanding results. Also, my friends who I came up with are absolutely remarkable musicians. So, to keep up with them it meant I had to put in double the work on my own so when I came to the table I meant business.

My case is unique because I am apart of multiple industries at once. To start I’m a studio musician, producer, engineer. In that field my clients come to me to produce or put the finishing touches on their music. Services include: consultation, mixing, mastering, live drums, electronic beat production, coordinating live instrumentation.

Moving into the live realm I’m a touring drummer, music director and audio engineer. These services include putting a band together for shows on the road. Rehearsing, creating backing tracks, crafting an experience musically and sonically that follows my clients vision for their artistry.

I am an artist and bandleader as well! I lead a progressive r&b/jazz group: Pinko. and A Few Good People. We have some original songs that I wrote go international I’m very thankful for it!! We have a new album coming out soon. Stay tuned!

I own Havok City Studios and Entertainment LLC and Redroom Music Inc, which is a record label and publishing company. Originally it was created to release my own music but as I grew I felt the need to branch out. We provide artist development, consultations on music, produce music for artist, and ultimately work on building that infrastructure around artist to be successful. It is imperative that an artist has an infrastructure around them as every artist needs a foundation to stand on.

Good Brother Sound LLC is a live production company. Suited to fit your needs for live sound, lighting and corporate events!

I believe what sets me apart from others is that I always see the big picture and there’s no obstacle I can’t get through. Everything I do is not for right now its for 5 years down the line. I seek longevity in my clients success as well as my own.

I’m most proud of the fact that I’m able to turn dreams, visions, ideas into real tangible items. I absolutely love the process of putting the stepping stones together and then walking across them to achieve our goals.

I want everybody to know that I do this from the heart! I put every ounce of my soul into each project and I’m very passionate about the goals we set out as a team to accomplish!!

I’ve attached a list of works I’ve done thus far!

(Drummer)
Pinko & A Few Good People (Leader)
Brenda Williams
Wycliffe Gordon
Bob Mintzer
Lamar Campbell
Bootsy Collins
Made Man Improv Show
IU Soul Revue
We Are Tribe Soul
High Octane Drumline
Indy 500 Drumline
Pacers Drumline
Jacob Alexander
Jeffrey Thomas II
Sadie Johnson
Cathy Morris
Peyton Wommock
Trumusiq Group
RC Trio
Dirklin Davie
Tom Foolery
Goldie Ingram
Addie Kosten
Hayat
Sam C. Jones
Kayla Behforouz
Ré Alissa
Funk Almighty
Naptown Jazz 5
Indy Blues Revue
Blue Water Kings

Sound Engineer/ Production Tech:
Good Brother Sound (Co-Owner)
Yung Joc
Dru Hill
Ray J
Ricky Dillard
Tom Browne
Ronnie Laws
Debra Laws
Dee Lucas
Adam Hawley
Stacy Mckracken
Upon This Rock: The Passion Play
Leandria Johnson
Jekalyn Carr
Beverly Crawford
Lisa Knowles-Smith
DJ Pauly D
Robert Cray
Sugar Ray
Brenda Williams
Soul Lounge Band
Tab Robinson
Hurricane and The Gang
Rob Dixon
Gordon Bonham
Living Proof

Broadcasted Appearances
Circle of Lights 2019- Down to Funk- Music Director
Fox 59- Jacob Alexander- Music Director
Wish TV- Jacob Alexander- Music Director
So Far Sounds- Peyton Wommock- Drummer
Wish TV-Jeffrey Thomas II- Drummer

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being in the artistry community is when we finally put that last piece in place and the project has been completed. The looks on our clients/crowds faces. It’s an amazing feeling knowing that in that very moment even if its just for an hour. You’ve been apart of crafting a once in a lifetime experience.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

During Covid the music industry took a major hit. Nobody was on the road. No shows were being held at all. So as a community a lot of us dove into creating studios in our homes to continue bringing in money. I had been building mine for years at the time but in 2020 I finally completed it. Up until covid hit I had been on the road a ton but consequently every date I had from March 14th(150 dates) had been canceled. So, I took a turn and really dove into creating live drum tracks, mixing and mastering as a means to stay afloat.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/official_pinko_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077906267160
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Pjh8j2ZJoWKelV0EsYuWA
• Other: Band Email: [email protected] Business Email: [email protected] Good Brother Sound: [email protected]

Image Credits
Zoleanny Carmona