Funky Chilled Out Surf Music

So here's the thing; I'm learning to surf and love everything about it, including Surf Music. I believe the genre I like is Surf Rock (but I'm no music expert).

I first got into it a few years ago when a friend gave me a CD by Jack Johnson. To be honest, I'd never heard of him before. I listened to the CD and gradually developed a love for his music style. There was just something about the chilled out 'lazy-day' vibes of the music. The album was "In Between Dreams". My favourite song from that album was "Banana Pancakes". The lyrics describe how it's raining outside but suggests pretending it's the weekend and getting up to make banana pancakes; a lovely visual and takes you away from the daily grind of life. This album is acoustic. I went on to buy Jack's other albums like "Sleep through the Static" and, most recently, "To the Sea".

Jack is not only a Singer-Songwriter but he is from Hawaii and has a passion for surfing. When I learned he was a surfer that just increased my appreciation for his music. I started to connect his music with the chilled out vibe that anything surfing brings. I got all of Jack's albums but now I wanted to find more artists like him.

On a recent trip to Corralejo on the island of Fuerteventura, which is a popular European surf destination, I took some surf lessons by day. By night I chilled out with fellow surfers at some funky surf cafes and bars. The surf rock music was something I instantly connected with. Just the way it takes you to a chilled out, carefree, happy place.

Upon returning home I continued to research this music style and to search for a handful of new artists that I could follow.

I want to share the playlist that I developed as a result of my research. I may not be an expert in music or surfing but I have a passion for them and that's what's important. I hope that someone on a similar pursuit for good surf music will find this information helpful and that I will provide some leads from which they can develop their own collection of surf music.

Below are the artists that impressed me. I've selected my favourite songs from the guys and created a recommended playlist. It's further down in this article.

Donavon Frankenreiter

The first guy I came across was Donavon Frankenreiter. Just like Jack, he is a musician and surfer. He's a long time friend of Jack's and that's why I came across his music first.

Bag of Toys

Bag of Toys is an acoustic surf rock band from San Francisco. Some of their music has featured on surfing DVDs.

Echo Movement

This group is more of a reggae/surf rock band and they're based in New Jersey. They quote on Facebook: "Echo Movement is about love. It's about a passion to learn, communicate and appreciate life's opportunities." Right now I can appreciate that. I want to learn new things and appreciate what life has to offer, which includes learning to surf, incidentally.

Braddigan

Braddigan (Brad Corrigan), from Denver, are under Third Surfer Music Record Label. Eastern Surf Magazine describes Brad Corrigan "as if one day Jack Johnson met Bob Dylan at Marley's house for a jam session." Notice yet again another reference to Jack Johnson.

Zach Gill

Zach is a member of Jack's band (surprise surprise) but also performs as a solo artist.