Surf Curse is an American indie rock band formed in Reno, Nevada in 2013. The band is composed of Nicholas Rattigan and Jacob Rubeck, and they are known for their unique blend of surf rock and lo-fi punk. Throughout their career, Surf Curse has released several albums that have gained critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base. Their debut album, "Buds," was released in 2013. It showcases the band's early sound, with fuzzy guitars and angsty lyrics. The album features tracks like "I'm Not Making Out With You" and "Ghost.

Surf Curse

A gritty and melodic Nevada-bred guitar-and-drum duo who later became a fixture of Los Angeles' D.I.Y. garage and punk scenes, Surf Curse aligned themselves with the artist-run Danger Collective label where they released albums like 2017's Nothing Yet and 2019's Heaven Surrounds You. The sudden viral success of "Freaks," a song they'd released years earlier, earned them a deal with Atlantic, which issued the band's fourth album, Magic Hour, in 2022. The project of drummer and singer Nick Rattigan and guitarist Jacob Rubeck, Surf Curse formed in Reno in 2013, issuing their first album, Buds, later that June. An EP, Sad Boys, appeared in October, after which the band relocated to L.A., where they began to establish themselves in the city's vibrant underground scene. By 2017, they'd reemerged as part of the Danger Collective and released their second album, Nothing Yet. An update on the simplistic style of their debut, Surf Curse's sound began to soften somewhat as they explored new tones and slightly more complex song structures. This trend carried over to their third LP, 2019's Heaven Surrounds You, which was inspired by Rattigan and Rubeck's favorite cult movies. In 2021, Surf Curse found unexpected success when their 2013 song "Freaks" became a viral sensation on the TikTok video platform. After Atlantic signed them and re-released "Freaks," the song continued to put up huge streaming numbers. During the front half of 2022, new singles like "Sugar" and "TVI" better represented Surf Curse's updated sound and were included on their fourth album, Magic Hour, released that September.
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Surf Curse

A gritty and melodic Nevada-bred guitar-and-drum duo who later became a fixture of Los Angeles' D.I.Y. garage and punk scenes, Surf Curse aligned themselves with the artist-run Danger Collective label where they released albums like 2017's Nothing Yet and 2019's Heaven Surrounds You. The sudden viral success of "Freaks," a song they'd released years earlier, earned them a deal with Atlantic, which issued the band's fourth album, Magic Hour, in 2022. The project of drummer and singer Nick Rattigan and guitarist Jacob Rubeck, Surf Curse formed in Reno in 2013, issuing their first album, Buds, later that June. An EP, Sad Boys, appeared in October, after which the band relocated to L.A., where they began to establish themselves in the city's vibrant underground scene. By 2017, they'd reemerged as part of the Danger Collective and released their second album, Nothing Yet. An update on the simplistic style of their debut, Surf Curse's sound began to soften somewhat as they explored new tones and slightly more complex song structures. This trend carried over to their third LP, 2019's Heaven Surrounds You, which was inspired by Rattigan and Rubeck's favorite cult movies. In 2021, Surf Curse found unexpected success when their 2013 song "Freaks" became a viral sensation on the TikTok video platform. After Atlantic signed them and re-released "Freaks," the song continued to put up huge streaming numbers. During the front half of 2022, new singles like "Sugar" and "TVI" better represented Surf Curse's updated sound and were included on their fourth album, Magic Hour, released that September.
© Timothy Monger /TiVo

Siren Records

In 2015 two kids from Reno, Nevada managed to capture the lo-fi supercharged lighting-in-a-bottle that would later propel them to major label success. Buds is a wild ride through the young minds of bandmembers Nick Rattigan and Jacob Rubeck, serving as a white-hot debut album in their ever-ascending discography. Although dealing largely with melancholy themes of isolation, the energy on every track is palpable.

In 2015 two kids from Reno, Nevada managed to capture the lo-fi supercharged lighting-in-a-bottle that would later propel them to major label success. Buds is a wild ride through the young minds of bandmembers Nick Rattigan and Jacob Rubeck, serving as a white-hot debut album in their ever-ascending discography. Although dealing largely with melancholy themes of isolation, the energy on every track is palpable.

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In 2015 two kids from Reno, Nevada managed to capture the lo-fi supercharged lighting-in-a-bottle that would later propel them to major label success. Buds is a wild ride through the young minds of bandmembers Nick Rattigan and Jacob Rubeck, serving as a white-hot debut album in their ever-ascending discography. Although dealing largely with melancholy themes of isolation, the energy on every track is palpable.

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Surf Curse Keep Searching for the “Magic”

Surf Curse almost named their new album “Milky Magic.” During the recording sessions at NYC’s Electric Lady Studios for the rock group’s fourth album Magic Hour (out Friday, October 7th), frontman and drummer Nick Rattigan walked by a wall of graffiti with the words “magic trick” written on them, and suggested the phrase to his bandmates as a potential album title.

“Everyone was like… ‘ehhhhhh,'” Rattigan tells Consequence, before explaining that “magic trick” became “milky magic,” a guidepost for how they wanted the record to sound.

“There’s a smoothness to it, a coolness to it. It’s silky,” adds founding guitarist Jacob Rubeck, with fellow guitarist Noah Kohll confessing that he “had this whole thing where I was trying to get the producer, Chris Coady, to say ‘milky,’ in terms of how things sound, at least twice a day.”

That cohesive, smooth sound and spirit is what characterizes the best songs of Magic Hour, Surf Curse’s first album as a quartet, with Kohll and bassist Henry Dillon joining the lineup.

Though Surf Curse’s last album, 2019’s dazzling Heaven Surrounds You, was the band at their most hi-fi, they’ve certainly upped the ante with Magic Hour, which is also their first album for Atlantic Records. The expanded lineup and Electric Lady sessions arrive on the heels of Surf Curse’s sleeper hit, “Freaks,” a cut from their 2013 debut that received newfound success on TikTok last year. But fans of the DIY spirit of “Freaks” will certainly enjoy Magic Hour‘s vibrant energy, especially tracks like lead singles “Sugar” and “TVI.”

Though Surf Curse have never lost the intense post-punk that can both sedate you and jolt you awake, there’s a newfound tenderness — a “milkiness,” according to the band — that characterizes Magic Hour. “Love is tender,” says Rattigan, “And I feel like we can say that we love each other.”

The camaraderie between the band’s members is palpable and endearing, and they seem to be on each other’s wavelengths on and off stage; that being said, the band took the main stage at Coachella this year dressed as characters from The Wizard of Oz, which was undoubtedly a fun choice… except that it was around 96 degrees in the blazing desert sun, and Rattigan’s lion costume looked like it was going to give him a heat stroke behind the drum kit. “Two or three songs in I was like, ‘This was a huge mistake,'” says Rattigan, before sharing that they all took after Dillon’s choice to wear Dorothy costumes for their weekend 2 set.

Ahead of the release of Magic Hour, Consequence caught up with Surf Curse before their exuberant set while on the ground at this year’s inaugural Primavera Sound Los Angeles — a hometown festival for the band — to discuss the new album, playing festivals, and much more. Read the full Q&A below.

The album features tracks like "I'm Not Making Out With You" and "Ghost." Despite being a relatively unknown band at the time, "Buds" gained attention from the underground music scene and set the stage for their future success. In 2015, Surf Curse released their second album, "Sad Boys.

" This album further solidified their sound, with more polished production and introspective lyrics. Songs like "Freaks" and "All Is Lost" resonated with listeners, capturing the essence of teenage angst and heartbreak. "Sad Boys" propelled Surf Curse into the indie rock scene and garnered them a loyal following. Their third album, "Nothing Yet," was released in 2017. This album showcased the band's growth and experimentation. Surf Curse incorporated new elements into their music, such as synthesizers and atmospheric vibes. Tracks like "Christine F" and "Mature Themes" demonstrated their evolving sound and lyrical depth. "Nothing Yet" received positive reviews and solidified Surf Curse's status as a rising indie rock band. In 2019, Surf Curse released their fourth album, "Heaven Surrounds You." This album further refined their sound, blending elements of surf rock, punk, and dream pop. The album explores themes of love, loss, and self-discovery. Songs like "Disco" and "Midnight Cowboy" showcase their signature style, while tracks like "Riverside" and "Labyrinth" demonstrate their growth as songwriters. "Heaven Surrounds You" received widespread acclaim from both critics and fans. Surf Curse continues to gain popularity with each album release, and their unique sound has made them a staple in the indie rock genre. Their discography showcases their growth and evolution as artists, making each album a must-listen for fans of their genre-bending music..

Reviews for "From Garage to Mainstream: How Surf Curse Albums Transcended Subgenres"

1. Emily - 2 stars

I found Surf Curse's albums to be underwhelming and generic. The songs all blended together with similar melodies and repetitive lyrics. There was nothing unique or memorable about their sound. I was disappointed because I had heard so much hype about them, but they just didn't live up to the expectations. Overall, their albums lacked creativity and originality.

2. Jake - 1 star

I really didn't understand the appeal of Surf Curse's music. Their albums felt like a collection of uninspired indie rock tracks. The songs lacked depth and substance, and the lyrics were trite and cliché. It felt like they were trying too hard to fit into a certain sound without bringing anything new to the table. I felt like I had already heard all of their songs from other bands that I found more interesting. Overall, their albums were forgettable and unoriginal.

3. Sarah - 2.5 stars

While there were a few tracks that I enjoyed, overall, Surf Curse's albums fell flat for me. The songs were repetitive and lacked any real variety. The vocals were average at best, and the lyrics didn't resonate with me. I was hoping for something more unique and captivating, but I found myself losing interest after a few songs. It's disappointing because I had heard good things about their music, but it just didn't click with me. I wouldn't recommend their albums to others.

4. Alex - 2 stars

Surf Curse's albums felt like they were trying to emulate a certain sound without adding any fresh elements to it. The songs were predictable and formulaic, lacking any surprises or memorable moments. The production was lackluster, making the whole listening experience feel flat. I was looking for something that would grab my attention and make me want to listen again, but their albums failed to do that. Overall, I was unimpressed and wouldn't consider myself a fan of their music.

5. Mike - 1.5 stars

I found Surf Curse's albums to be subpar at best. The songs lacked energy and failed to evoke any strong emotions. The melodies were forgettable, and the instrumentation felt uninspired. I wanted to like their music, but it just wasn't engaging enough for me. Overall, I found their albums to be a disappointment and wouldn't go out of my way to listen to them again.

Analyzing the Lyrics of Surf Curse: Themes and Motifs Across Their Albums