Busan, South Korea’s Say Sue Me have released a refreshing and summery new single ‘Vacation (feat. Kim Hanjoo)’ out now digitally. The single is the first peek at their upcoming EP Time is Not Yours, which will be out via Damnably April 30th digitally and on vinyl to coincide with their first UK tour since 2019! They will be playing several dates around the country including Bristol, Manchester, Hebden Bridge, Glasgow and London, with a stint at The Great Escape in Brighton.
‘Vacation (feat Kim Hanjoo)’ cycles through percussion and bouncing fuzzy guitars that reverberate with the influence of the fizzy guitars and melodies of upbeat mid 90s guitar bands, paired with a swinging slacker cool that hints more towards the shoegaze and C86 sounds of the 80s and early 90s. Kim Hanjoo, from Korean powerhouse band Silica Gel, lends his vocals to the track, adding a sharp counterpoint to Say Sue Me’s singer Sumi, the sea sawing swooning melodies capture the release and escape of getting away from it all. Watch the video below.
In the band’s own words…
“Modern people overthink everything and live in constant haste. But it’s time to pause for a moment and just breathe. Kim Hanjoo, vocalist of Korean powerhouse band Silica Gel, lent his voice to ‘Vacation’. We first connected at a festival in Japan in 2022, where he expressed his desire to collaborate with us. His words left a lasting impression, and when it came time to record Vacation, we knew his voice would be the perfect fit. Thanks to his contribution, the song took on a richer, more vibrant energy—adding a whole new layer of colour to the track.”
The Time Is Not Yours EP is a masterclass in contrasts, a shoegaze-slacker hybrid that balances hazy, reverb-drenched guitars with a touch of coastal cool, all while carrying a quiet undercurrent of unease and introspection. Musical magpies, Say Sue Me’s influences hark back to that golden era when indie rock was equal parts noise and nostalgia. Think Sonic Youth’s gritty experimentation meets Yo La Tengo’s dreamy, laid-back charm.
Say Sue Me are a surf-inspired indie rock band from Busan, South Korea. Members consist of Byungkyu Kim on lead guitar, Sumi Choi on vocals and guitar, Jaeyoung Kim on Bass and Sungwan Lim on Drums. They have released 3 critically acclaimed LPs, 4 EPs as well as a throng of singles and OSTs during their 13 years together. In 2019, Say Sue Me were the second most nominated artist at the Korean Music Awards (second only to the almighty BTS) with the album Where We Were Together, and ultimately won two awards. Their last record The Last Thing Left was released in 2022.
On tour
APRIL
14 – Sydney, AU – Oxford Art Factory
16 -Melbourne, AU – 170 Russell
MAY
06 – Bristol, UK – Strange Brew
07 – Manchester, UK – Academy 3
08 – Hebden Bridge, UK – Trades Club
09 – Glasgow, UK – CCA
14-17 – Brighton, UK – The Great Escape Festival
19- London, UK – 100 Club
link.damnably.com/ssmlive
Photo credit Lee Jaehoon – l-r – Jaeyoung Kim (Bass), Sumi Choi (Vocals + guitar), Byungkyu Kim (Lead guitar), Sungwan Lim (Drums).
