The unstoppable Surf Curse are entering a new epoch in their already storied career. Not only have they doubled their personnel, with the addition of guitarist Noah Kholl and bass-player Henry Dillon, they’ve recently infiltrated speakers of TikTok users the world over with viral, platinum hit “Freaks”, and now count over eight million people among their monthly Spotify listeners. With a vast audience now following their every move, plus a label change to Atlantic Records – home to the likes of Lizzo, Ava Max and Ed Sheeran – it’s evident that the pinnacle of their success is still yet to come.

Magic Hour, recorded at renowned New York studio Electric Lady, is “our excitement about rock music and being in a band,” says guitarist, Jacob Rubeck. From plaintive blues rock to ferocious cuts, the record’s already spawned defiant singles like “Lost Honor” and the reflective latest release “Self Portrait”, all of which are set to be showcased on their upcoming headline tour, including a stop at the first LA Primavera Sound, in a matter of days.

We chat to them about everything from dream journaling, why despite their name they aren’t a ‘surf-rock’ band, Magic Hour, and that upcoming tour.

Head below to read our chat and watch the “Self Portrait” video, right now…

Hi Surf Curse! How are you all doing? What was the first thing you did this morning when you woke up?
Nick: I’ve been keeping a dream journal and every morning I wake up I try to write down what I remember from my dreams. Today it wasn’t much. I just wrote down “Scary carnival ride. My dad was there.”
Jacob: I was forced to go on vacation, so I’m literally on a beach in Rhode Island answering these questions.
Noah: Currently I am on tour with my other band, Color Green. I had breakfast with my mother this morning and watched a documentary about orangutans.
Henry: I am…. awake…

First of all, how did you all meet?
Nick: Jacob and I met in middle school. I was intimidated by how cool his MySpace page was because the background was all The Velvet Underground. Noah and I met playing shows together in New York. The first one was a brunch show at Baby’s All Right. It was a pretty bad show, but that’s brunch! And I met Henry when he was working the door at Non Plus Ultra in LA and I was a big fan of his music.
Noah: Henry and I met on Valentine’s Day at a Current Joys show. We celebrate our friendsiversary that day.
Henry: I have known these guys for my entire life.

Let’s also talk your name! What inspired this name? Is there a story behind it?
Nick: We used to be called Buffalo 66 and when we needed to change it, Jacob came up with Surf Curse. Back then we were very into Wavves and all that lo-fi, garage rock. These days it’s very challenging having Surf in the name because most write ups tend to box us in as a “beach lo-fi, surf-rock band” which is not really what we do anymore. And that is the true curse.

You guys are based in LA, what would you say inspires you most about the city?
Nick: Its not a walking city, at all! But I like to go on walks and listen to music. Sometimes it feels like you’re in the apocalypse with the heat and the trash. LA can feel like a paradise but there is darkness that exists just below the surface. Like that scene in Mulholland Drive where that freaky monster pops out from behind the gutter. That’s extremely LA.
Jacob: For me personally, I live in LA but I don’t love it. The city makes me upset in so many ways. I don’t drive so when you’re forced to walk, you’re forced to really experience the trash, the smell, and the reality of the city. It’s good though because it keeps you humble. For me, it’s the people who really bring me to life and inspire me. There’s songs I make just cause I know my friend or bandmate would dig it cause it’s right up their alley.
Noah: The way the sunlight hits my curtains in my room in the morning, and watching the wind blow in palm trees is inspiring, as well as all the beautiful creative people that are around killing it.
Henry: There is a low frequency hum that emanates from downtown Los Angeles at all hours of the day and night. I find this very inspiring.

Congratulations on the release of “Lost Honor”! You guys also wrote the song, talk to us about your writing process!
Jacob: Nick and I did this interview that left a bad taste in my mouth. The feeling really reminded me of this film called The Lost Honor of Katharine Blum. I kept thinking about Nick and the years of us bonding on the road, creating songs, and the hard work we’ve put it in. Nick has such a sweetness, purity, and talent within him that I’m lucky to have experienced. It’s just something that I’m protective over.

And, the single is taken from your new album, Magic Hour! What can we expect from this album? More tracks like “Lost Honor”?
Nick: We call this album our collage of rock and roll, so every song has a different flavour of influences behind it. I’d say it’s full of surprises – twists and turns. Definitely unlike anything we’ve made before. It’s a rock n roll odyssey.
Jacob: A lot of influences from Sonic Youth to The Rolling Stones. It’s an album we hope and feel like will always be a part of peoples lives. Something to return to at whatever age or time.

Do you each have a favourite track from the album?
Nick: I’d have to say probably “Self Portrait” because it’s my favorite to play live or “Fear City” because it’s the craziest song we’ve ever made.
Jacob: Nick wrote this beautiful song “Unwell” that I’m excited for people to hear. It’s so sweet and heavy, a beautiful combination that Nick perfected. It’s just a good spotlight on everyone’s playing. It feels like us all, together.
Noah: I think my favorite track is “No Tomorrows”. I really think it sums up what we can do as a band sonically and I really felt our spirits engraved forever into that one.
Henry: My favorite track is “Cathy”. It’s super fun to play live, and Noah’s guitar solo in the bridge gets me excited.

You recently announced your North American headline tour! Describe to me in a few words how being on stage makes you all feel!
Nick: It’s one of the best feelings in the world. I love our crowds and feel very blessed to play to such enthusiastic fans. Also just love playing music with these guys. Those sound like generic answers but it’s all the truth.
Jacob: There’s a beautiful connection with the people who come to the shows where our energies collide and all of are in it together. It really is a special feeling.

Apart from all of the exciting things covered above, what else are you all looking forward to in the coming year?
Nick: I’m very excited to go to Mexico City and play Corona Capital. I’m aso Excited for 100 Gecs to hopefully release their album.
Jacob: For me, it’s just sharing all these songs we’re so proud of with the rest of the world. Just already seeing people’s reactions at these shows puts us on full bliss mode.
Noah: I’m excited to eat every single sandwhich known to the regions I am in.
Henry: I can’t wait for Christmas!