Surf Music and 6 Surfers that are creating Sound Waves
There’s a rare and beautiful symbiosis between the ocean and music, a rhythm that pulses through the lives and creative output of a select group of artists who are as skilled with a guitar as they are with a surfboard. Jack Johnson, the Willis Brothers (Milton and Michael), Eddie Vedder, Jason Mraz, and Donavon Frankenreiter each embody this unique blend—surfers by passion, musicians by craft, and storytellers by nature. Their songs, shaped by the ebb and flow of the tides, resonate with listeners around the world, offering a window into the soulful, ever-changing moods of the sea.
The Ocean as Muse
For these artists, the ocean is more than just a playground—it’s a wellspring of inspiration. The rhythm of the waves, the salt in the air, and the vast, open horizon all find their way into their music. Jack Johnson, raised on Oahu’s North Shore, often finishes his lyrics while in the water, letting the tranquility of the ocean guide his creative process. As he puts it, “they’re kind of one and the same, to be honest with you. I finish a lot of lyrics while I’m in the water and it’s always pretty constructive for me to get out in the water. I’m not actually writing the words down, but I have time to think about words, and doing a lot of surfing usually gives me a little space and peace of mind to finish things up”. This sentiment is echoed by others in this circle, who find clarity and connection beneath the surface.
Jack Johnson: The Aloha Spirit
Born and raised on the North Shore of Oahu, Jack Johnson grew up immersed in surf culture. By the age of five, he was catching waves; by seventeen, he was a finalist at the prestigious Pipeline Masters. Though a surfing accident ended his professional ambitions, it sparked a new path—music. Influenced by Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and the laid-back vibes of his island home, Johnson’s music is a blend of folk, surf-rock, and acoustic soul. His songs, such as “Drink the Water,” are often inspired by his experiences in the surf, and his albums pay homage to the ocean and its rhythms.
Johnson’s approach to both surfing and songwriting is deeply introspective. He sees the act of paddling out as a form of meditation, a way to clear his mind and let the melodies flow. His surf music is imbued with a sense of gratitude for the natural world, a theme that runs through his discography and his environmental activism.
The Willis Brothers: Twins of the Tide and Tunes
Michael and Milton Willis, known collectively as the Willis Brothers, legendary figures in the surfing world—known as big-wave riders and ocean safety experts they are also longtime soulful musicians. Their music is a blend of acoustic folk, blues and electric rock. Thoroughly authentic their music draws influences and inspiration from diverse artists including the Allman brothers band, Jimmy Buffet and The Rolling Stones.
Their songs “Going Surfing with Friends”, along with “Wave of the Day” and “Surf the Curl” amply display Michael’s infectious rhythms and Milton’s melodic leads garnered from years of ocean experience and wave riding. Some tunes the brothers will be belting it out with the force of a big swell while others their delivery is as soft as a slow rolling wave and a cool breeze.
For the Willis Brothers surfing, the ocean and surf music are inseparable. Their catchy and infectious music is shaped by years of riding waves and time spent in the ocean and carries the same sense of adventure and reverence for the sea. Whether they’re recounting the thrill of surfing Waimea Bay or the quiet moments of reflection after a session, their stories and songs are infused with the energy and unpredictability of the ocean making Milton and Michael’s music popular with surfers and non surfers alike.
Eddie Vedder: From Surfboard to Stage
Eddie Vedder, the iconic frontman of Pearl Jam, is another artist whose creativity is deeply intertwined with the ocean. Before joining Pearl Jam, Vedder was a security guard and surfer in San Diego, where he found solace and inspiration in the waves. The lyrics that would earn him an audition with the band—and ultimately change the course of his life—came to him during a surf session. “I went for a surf in the morning, and I remember it being super foggy,” Vedder recalled. “I had the music in my head, the instrumental, and just kind of wrote it.” He recorded the vocals while still dripping wet from the ocean, a testament to the immediacy and power of his connection to the sea.
Vedder’s song “Oceans,” co-written with his bandmates, is a direct homage to the ocean’s influence on his life and music. The track’s haunting melody and evocative lyrics capture the vastness and mystery of the sea, reflecting Vedder’s own journey from surfer to rock legend.
Jason Mraz: The Positive Wave
Jason Mraz, though perhaps best known for his sunny, uplifting pop tunes, is also a passionate surfer. His music, characterized by its positivity and groove, often mirrors the easygoing, optimistic spirit of surf culture. While Mraz’s songs may not always reference the ocean directly, his approach to songwriting—spontaneous, joyful, and rooted in the present—is very much in line with the mindset of a surfer catching a wave.
Mraz’s connection to the ocean is more personal, a source of renewal and inspiration. Like his peers, he finds that time spent in the water helps him to reset and refocus, allowing new ideas to surface. His surf music, with its infectious melodies and heartfelt lyrics, carries the same sense of freedom and possibility that comes from riding a wave.
Donavon Frankenreiter: The Soulful Surfer
Donavon Frankenreiter, a musician and surfer from Southern California, embodies the laid-back, soulful spirit of the surfer-musician. His surf music, a blend of acoustic rock, blues, and reggae, is infused with the rhythms of the ocean and the camaraderie of the surf community. Frankenreiter’s debut album was released on Brushfire Records, the label co-founded by Jack Johnson, and he has toured extensively with other surf-inspired artists.
For Frankenreiter, surfing and music are synonymous. He describes the ocean as his greatest teacher, a place where he finds both challenge and peace. His songs, often written after a day in the water, reflect the joy, introspection, and connection that come from a life lived in harmony with the sea.
The Natural Flow: Surf Music, Surf, and the Sea
What unites these artists is their shared understanding of the ocean’s rhythms and its power to inspire. Whether it’s Jack Johnson’s mellow acoustic grooves, the Willis Brothers’ soulful music, Eddie Vedder’s raw emotion, Jason Mraz’s positivity, or Donavon Frankenreiter’s fun melodies, each brings the essence of the sea into their music.
Their songs are not just about the ocean—they are shaped by it, infused with its energy, and reflective of its ever-changing moods. The act of surfing, with its moments of exhilaration and tranquility, becomes a metaphor for the creative process itself: riding the wave of inspiration, letting go, and trusting in the natural flow.
Conclusion
Jack Johnson, the Willis Brothers, Eddie Vedder, Jason Mraz, and Donavon Frankenreiter are more than just musicians who surf—they are storytellers whose lives and art are deeply connected to the ocean. Their surf music, inspired by the rhythms of the sea, offers listeners a sense of peace, adventure, and connection to the natural world. In a world that often feels chaotic and disconnected, their songs remind us of the beauty and power of living in harmony with the tides—both in the water and in life.
Whether you’re a surfer, a music lover, or simply someone who finds solace in the sound of the waves, their stories and songs are a testament to the enduring bond between the sea and the soul.
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