Surf Curse Records is an independent record label based in Reno, Nevada. It was founded in 2018 by Jacob Rubeck, better known by his stage name, the lead vocalist of the punk rock band Surf Curse. The label mainly focuses on releasing music from Surf Curse, as well as other alternative and punk rock bands. Despite being a relatively new label, Surf Curse Records has quickly gained recognition in the underground music scene. The label's mission is to support and promote emerging artists who create unique and innovative music. They aim to provide a platform for these artists to gain visibility and reach a wider audience.
They aim to provide a platform for these artists to gain visibility and reach a wider audience. Surf Curse Records has released several albums and EPs from Surf Curse themselves. Their music reflects a blend of punk rock, indie rock, and lo-fi aesthetic.
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.
--> A Newbury Comics exclusive color vinyl pressing. Surf Curse is the indie rock recording project of Los Angeles based songwriters Nick Rattigan and Jacob Rubeck. Seeing Surf Curse live has become a right of passage for disaffected adolescence in the South-West while Rattigan and Rubeck have spent their formatives years between Las Vegas, Reno, and Los Angeles. Their new record, Heaven Surrounds You, is a coming of age epic, inspired by the many cult films they’ve cherished through out their young adulthood that are referenced across the album’s tracklist. Surf Curse’s songwriting and instrumental orchestration has matured on their third full length LP, adding layers of polish to their traditionally rough and visceral sound. Rattigan and Rubeck worked with veteran indie producer Jarvis Taveniere, carefully crafting their most lush and vulnerable record to date, during the fall of 2018. Heaven Surrounds You, satisfies the energy and passion that old fans would expect from a Surf Curse record, but expands the band’s songwriting to envelope new audiences into their cinematic sound.
The label also releases music from other bands that share a similar sound and ethos. The goal is to create a cohesive community of artists who can collaborate and support each other. In addition to physical releases, Surf Curse Records also utilizes online platforms to distribute and promote their music. They actively maintain an online presence through social media channels and their website, where fans can stay updated on new releases and tour dates. Surf Curse Records is not just a record label; it is a symbol of creativity, passion, and a DIY (do-it-yourself) ethos. It represents the spirit of independent music and serves as a platform for artists to express themselves freely. Through their dedication and hard work, Surf Curse Records continues to make waves in the alternative music industry..
Reviews for "Surf Curse Records and the Importance of Independent Labels in the Music Industry"
1. John Doe - 2/5 - I was really looking forward to listening to Surf Curse's records, but I was extremely disappointed. The songs all had the same monotonous and repetitive sound, making it difficult to differentiate between tracks. The lyrics were also quite lackluster, with shallow and cliché themes that failed to capture my attention or evoke any emotional response. Overall, I found Surf Curse records to be underwhelming and not worthy of the hype surrounding them.
2. Jane Smith - 1/5 - I could barely sit through Surf Curse's records. The music was grating to my ears, with harsh and discordant guitar riffs that seemed to lack any sense of melody or coherence. The lead vocalist's singing style was also quite grating, with an abrasive tone that felt forced and insincere. I couldn't connect with the music on any level and found it to be an unpleasant listening experience. I wouldn't recommend Surf Curse records to anyone seeking enjoyable and harmonious music.
3. Samantha Johnson - 2.5/5 - While I understand the appeal of Surf Curse's records to some, I personally found them to be forgettable and unremarkable. The songs lacked depth and complexity, sounding like generic indie rock with no standout moments or innovative elements. It felt like I had heard it all before, and there was nothing that set Surf Curse apart from countless other similar bands in the genre. While there were a couple of mildly catchy tracks, overall, I found their records to be mediocre and not worth revisiting.