SPOTLIGHT: SUMMER ATLAS
Meet Summer Atlas and tune into her debut EP “With Love, Summer”
You’ve been writing songs since you were 11. What do you remember about the very first one you ever finished? Do you still look back at it?
The first song I ever really finished was called “Wednesday,” which is now What Falling in Love Feels Like — one of the songs on my EP With Love, Summer. I wrote it when I was 12 after watching the show Wednesday on Netflix. I loved it so much that I picked up my guitar and started writing while rewatching the episodes. It was about Wednesday, and Tyler, and I even used a line from the show — “Romance was the last thing on my mind.” It wasn’t the first song I ever started, but it was the first one I actually finished. Kinda crazy how it ended up on the EP.
How has your songwriting changed between when you first started and now, with the release of your debut EP?
When I first started writing songs, I was around 11 or 12, so I didn’t really know much about romance or heartbreak yet. I’d write about things like friendship, jealousy, or feeling left out. And a lot of the time, I’d write about other people’s stories instead of my own — like movies I watched or things that happened to people close to me. But now, I’ve started writing about my own life and feelings, and it’s made the songs feel way more real and personal. And I think now I know more about what I want these songs to say.
With Love, Summer feels like a personal title, almost like a signature at the end of a letter. Why did you choose that name for your first EP?
That was actually the intention! I wanted it to feel like a signature at the end of a letter. One of the first songs I released was Letters, and this whole EP kinda feels like a love letter to the people who inspired the songs, and also to my younger self, who always dreamed of having her music heard. I came up with the title after looking through letters I’d written to people over the years. I’ve always loved writing letters, and I noticed I’d always end them with With love, Summer. It just felt right.
You’ve described your songs as “letters I never sent.” Was there a specific moment or experience that made you realize you were ready to finally share them?
I think I always knew I was gonna share them someday. Writing and releasing music has always been my dream — I was just waiting for the right time. Then, when I was 13, I went to the Eras Tour in Singapore, and watching Taylor perform her songs and basically her whole life story made something click for me. My songs are kind of like that too. They’re my stories, and I realized that if I want to leave something behind or build a legacy, I have to start now by sharing my own story through music.
Out of the 100+ songs you’ve written, how did you decide which ones would make it onto the EP?
I’ve written so many songs, but for the EP, I chose the ones that felt the most like letters — songs that told a story or captured a certain moment or feeling in my life. I wanted each track to feel personal, like pages from my heart. Some of them were written years ago, some more recently, but together they felt like the right mix. I also thought about which songs would work well next to each other, like how they flow as a full story
Were there any songs you felt nervous about including, either because they were too personal or too different?
I was honestly excited to share all of them, but I did feel a bit nervous about Letters. It didn’t even start as a love song — it was more of a platonic thing. I wrote it hoping the story would mean something, even if it didn’t. Looking back, I think it showed how unsure I was, maybe even a little desperate or delusional, haha. But that’s what made it feel real. It was me holding on to something and wanting it to turn into more. I was scared to share that side of myself, but I knew it was important.
Is there a particular lyric on With Love, Summer that still hits you hard when you hear it back?
Honestly, the whole chorus of This Dream still gets me every time:
“One day I’ll be on that stage and all my dreams
Have come to life and one day you’ll see me
Singing all my songs in stadiums, on the big screen
Oh I know I’ll work hard for this dream…”
It’s super special to me because I wrote it as a reminder to never give up, and now I listen to it, and it just pushes me to work even harder. I know I won’t give up until I reach that dream
Being 15 and already releasing your first body of work is such a big milestone. What’s something you’ve learned about yourself through this whole process?
Honestly, I’ve learned that I tend to put a lot of pressure on myself. Sometimes I feel like I’m falling behind or like I’m not doing enough, even though I’m only 15. But working on this EP reminded me that I am doing something. I’m telling my story, chasing my dream, and creating something real. I’ve learned that it’s okay to go at my own pace. This whole process has made me realize I’m not behind — I’m exactly where I need to be right now.
What are some things, books, movies, other music that influences your writing, even if they’re not about music directly?
I get inspired by a lot of things — movies, especially rom-coms, definitely play a big part. Sometimes I’ll watch a scene and instantly imagine a song from it. I also love reading old letters and journals, even my own, because they hold so many real emotions that turn into lyrics. Taylor Swift really taught me how to tell stories in songs, and Olivia Rodrigo made me feel like I could actually make it too. She’s Filipina like me, and you don’t see a lot of that on the global stage so seeing her do it gave me hope that maybe I could too. I saw how proud she made Filipinos, and I want to be able to represent my country like that one day.
How do you balance school and songwriting, especially now that your music is out in the world?
I’m homeschooled, which definitely helps with flexibility, but I still get super busy. I have a lot of extracurriculars — like sports, training, and other activities — so I have to manage my time really well. It can get overwhelming sometimes, but songwriting is something I love, so I always try to make space for it. Sometimes I’ll be doing schoolwork and randomly start scribbling lyrics in the margins of my notebook — it just kind of happens without me thinking. Even if I’m tired or overwhelmed, writing songs is like my escape. So I don’t always feel super balanced, but I make it work.
What has the response been like from friends or classmates who are now hearing these “unsent letters” for the first time?
Honestly, people who know me weren’t surprised I released music — like, the first thing everyone knows about me is that I write songs and sing, haha. But I think what surprised them was how personal the songs were. Some friends told me they didn’t expect the lyrics to hit so deep or be so emotional. A few even cried or said they related to certain lines in ways I never expected. It’s been so nice hearing how these songs connect with people — it makes sharing them feel really worth it.
Do you have a dream collaboration, maybe another Filipino artist or someone you look up to globally?
Locally, I’d love to collaborate with Zack Tabudlo. He actually went to my school, and we even had the same teacher! She once told me how alike we were — like singing in the classroom, writing songs during class, all of that, haha. It would be so cool to work with someone who came from the same place as me. Globally, it would honestly be a dream come true to collaborate with Taylor Swift. She’s the reason I started sharing my music in the first place. I’d also love to work with Olivia Rodrigo and Gracie Abrams — their lyrics hit so hard, it’s like they snuck into my diary or something. They’ve inspired me so much.
What part of the music-making process excites you the most: writing, recording, or releasing?
Honestly, all of them have their own kind of fun. Writing is super personal — it’s where everything starts, and it’s usually just me and my guitar, getting all my feelings out. Recording is where it starts to feel real, like hearing the song come to life with production and harmonies is so exciting. And then releasing it… That’s probably the scariest and most exciting part. It’s when the song isn’t just mine anymore — it belongs to everyone who listens
When you imagine someone listening to With Love, Summer, what do you hope they feel or take away from it?
I just hope they feel seen. These songs are like pages from my life — little letters I never sent — and if someone listens and feels like, “Wait, I’ve felt that too,” then that means everything to me. I want them to feel courageous, hopeful, and not be afraid to dream big or go after the things they really want. If my songs can make someone believe in themselves a little more, then I’ve done what I set out to do.
Now that your debut EP is out, what’s next for you? More music, live performances, maybe even a full album someday?
Definitely more music — I’m always writing. I’d love to do a live show soon too, and yes, a full album someday would be a dream. I’m taking things step by step and trusting that everything will happen in God’s perfect timing. This EP was just the beginning, and I’m really excited for what’s next.
Stream “With Love, Summer” here.
