Surf Music

Surf music is a genre typified by its reverb-soaked guitars, steady uptempo beats, and an overall sound that evokes the sensation of carefree days basking in the coastal sun and riding the waves. Emerging in the early 1960s in Southern California, the genre comes in two main forms: instrumental tracks, characterized by twangy, reverberating guitar riffs—inspired by the likes of Duane Eddy—and the vocal surf harmonies of bands such as Jan & Dean, which often featured lyrics about surfing, beaches, and summer romance. Bands like The Surfaris and The Chantays delivered iconic instrumental hits, while groups like The Hondells and The Rip Chords infused pop sensibilities into their music. Surf music's golden era may have been brief, but its influence endures, capturing the spirit of a quintessential American youth culture obsessed with the allure of the ocean.

Latest Surf Music Release
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Somos Los Straitjackets
Album - 15 Tracks - Released September 19, 2025
Top Artists Spotify Logo
Donavon Frankenreiter
The Ventures
The Trashmen
Link Wray
The Champs
Duane Eddy
Top Playlists
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NPR Music's New Music Friday 1 Surf Music artist

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  1. September 19, 2025
  2. August 11
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  31. December 13, 2024
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  39. September 20
  40. September 20