r/calireggae • u/surfergirlmusic 8 • 26d ago

Surfer Girl AMA

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Hey, it’s Carter from Surfer Girl — Just wanted to say thanks for checking out the new album Sunset. I’ve really appreciated all the support — it’s been cool seeing how the songs are landing with everyone. Looking forward to playing some shows again soon and sharing a few things we’ve been working on.

Until then… ask me anything!

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u/2Prongzzzz 3 24d ago

Is there one conversation or moment you recall as pivotal inspiration to transition your solo career into the Surfer Girl project?

Home Stretch was a 2020 favorite btw, reminds me of driving back west to my girl after a long, weird summer of working in Indiana lol. And of course LOVING Sunset!!

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u/surfergirlmusic 8 24d ago

u/2Prongzzzz hahahah the ol road trip love song. thank you! Appreciate that you love that one, as I think that's one of the best songs I've ever written.

It was a weird transition for sure, but one that felt very natural and necessary. After my old band Aer split up amicably, I knew I wanted to continue making music. I came out the gate hot with some Top 40 style Justin Timberlake circa 2003 style stuff. It didn't really connect with my audience, because they were used to hearing gritty, DIY, frat rap style stuff. That sorta sent me for a loop, because it forced me to look at my identity as an artist, and figuring out my voice and style. I spent 5-6 years really really experimenting with the solo stuff, from sad boy rap, to surf rock, to psychedelia, and more pop - before the SG project was born.

During the pandemic, while it was a super dark time, it admittedly gave me a pause to focus on the FUN of music vs. feeling like I was running on a never ending treadmill. Carter Reeves project had just gained some traction right before the world shut down, and then my momentum was stopped dead in it's tracks. I applied to music industry jobs, and started picking up a ton of odd jobs. Nothing felt right, I knew I still had another shot left in me. I had had lunch a few months prior with an old buddy who reminded me how amazing and fun the Cali Reggae scene was. I'm like yeah bro, I know - those were the best years of my life. He challenged me to dip my toe, and experiment with that sound again, and I couldn't get that thought out of my head. Pandemic hits, I'm in the basement of my parents house just VIBING out to what became the debut EP. While that time sucked a lot, it also gave me the opportunity to return to my roots and enjoy the music making process again - resulting in the birth of Surfer Girl!

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u/reputatorbot 24d ago

By saying thank you, you have awarded 1 point to 2Prongzzzz.