South Summit Rework The Police's 'Roxanne' For Triple J Like A Version Debut

South Summit have had a busy week, finding time to feature on triple j’s Like A Version in between announcing a headline tour and prepping for their debut album’s release.

Their time in the youth broadcaster’s live studio saw the Perth (Boorloo) based five-piece perform their dreamy single Givin’ It Up, before launching into an effortlessly confident rendition of The Police’s 70s hit, Roxanne.

While Roxanne already lends itself to South Summit’s reggae rich sound, the band managed to make the track even more their own, adding that classic South Summit energy and a few sonic “Easter eggs”.

“We wanted to have our own spin on it,” lead vocalist Isaiah ‘Zaya’ Reuben says of the cover. “Something new for people to listen to.”

“A few surprises,” supplies bassist Josh Trindall.

And these surprises certainly prompted a double-take, because surely we didn’t just hear a sample of Teriyaki Boyz’ iconic noughties anthem Tokyo Drift (Fast & Furious)? If you listen closely, you can also catch Trindall sneak a snippet of Michael Jackson’s Beat It into the bridge.

Trindall says the group can now “tick this one off the bucket list.”

“This was one of the two things I really wanted to do growing up as a muso, festivals and Like A Version.”

With South Summit already having cementing themselves as festival favourites, the next achievement to reach will be releasing their debut album, The Bliss.

Fans have already been treated to a taste of what’s shaping up to be the soundtrack of the summer, through singles Givin’ It Up, Ottoway, and Catacombs. A blend of the band’s eclectic tastes in music, and spanning genres such as reggae, indie rock and hip-hop, The Bliss is scheduled for release on 8 November.

To mark the release, the band have revealed they will be touring at the start of next year, in their biggest headline shows to date. Spanning Australia and New Zealand (Aotearoa), and finishing off with a hometown show in Perth, South Summit is set to kick off and tick off another huge year of bucket list items.

South Summit’s debut album, The Bliss, is out 8 November. Their AU/NZ album tour kicks off in February, with tickets on-sale for the general public from 14 October and available here. Full tour dates are as follows;

Friday 14 February - San Fran, Wellington (Te Whanganui a Tara)

Saturday 15 February - Double Whammy, Auckland (Tāmaki Makaurau)

Sunday 16 February - Loons, Christchurch (Ōtautahi)

Friday February 21 - Brightside, Brisbane (Meanjin)

Saturday 22 February - Oxford Art Factory, Sydney (Warrane)

Sunday 23 February - Over The Ditch Festival, Newcastle (Mulubinba)

Friday 28 February - Corner Hotel, Melbourne (Naarm)

Saturday 1 March - Jive Bar, Adelaide (Tarndanya)

Saturday 8 March, The Rechabite, Perth (Boorloo)