South Swell Syndicate
Blending surf rock, reggae, and Southern California spirit, South Swell Syndicate turns a lifelong love of music and surfing into an inviting soundtrack for escape, connection, and summer adventures.
1. South Swell Syndicate brings together members connected to Tribal Seeds, Long Beach Dub Allstars, Rebelution, and 17th Street Recording Studio. How did the project come together, and what inspired you to create a collective built around surf rock, reggae, and the California sound?
Hey there, thanks for reaching out! The project came together as a collaborative effort by myself and Lewis Richards, the owner/operator of 17th Street Recording Studio. All the musicians, minus Ian Foreman and Tim Cummins, were recommended by him after he heard the acoustic demos I brought in back in 2024. Honestly, it started off just being two songs I wanted to record for myself with some extra cash I had saved, but it snowballed into a whole musical project and eventually an album after how good those first two songs turned out. Two turned into four, then a year later when I had enough money, I brought in Ian and his buddy Tim on bass to complete nine more, but we didn’t finish the last one. The inspiration largely came from my love of surfing and reggae/rock music. Everything else was built around that organically. Since I was like fifteen, I always had a dream to make a record so I’m glad I finally was able to check it off my bucket list.
2. Your debut album, Go Where I Please, is described as an invitation to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and travel to a relaxing island paradise. What did you want listeners to feel as they experience the album from beginning to end?
I wanted listeners to feel exactly what you just described; an escape from the everyday monotony of work life to a secluded paradise. I wanted to create a soundtrack for summer road-trips with friends, where you don’t want to skip any songs, playing the record on repeat. I also wanted to create music that would be featured in surf films and on playlists at beach town bar and grill restaurants. I always here Rebelution and Stick Figure when I go out to eat and I wanted to get in on that.
3. The album blends surf rock, reggae, and influences from different musical styles and generations. How do you approach combining these elements while still maintaining a recognizable South Swell Syndicate identity?
Honestly, I have no idea because others have asked me the same question. It just comes out that way naturally. It’s in my DNA I guess. Everything starts off acoustic and vocals when I write and I intentionally leave space for other instruments like horns and guitar/keyboard licks without knowing what they will sound like. Then we just figure the rest out on the spot in the studio. I have a conductor like mindset so I know the feeling I want for a particular section of a song where I left space, but I usually don’t write out the melody of it beforehand because I want it to be a collaborative effort. Sometimes I know I want a particular instrument to play a part but don’t know what it will sound like until the musician plays it. Once it feels right, I know and I’m like “That’s it!” Luckily everyone on the record is pretty intuitive and super talented so it all fell together pretty naturally.
4. Positive and thoughtful lyrics are an important part of the Syndicate’s music. What subjects, experiences, or ideas inspired the songwriting on Go Where I Please, and how important is it for you to create music that leaves listeners with something meaningful?
All my music is created with intention for people to resonate with the lyrics, because to me that is the most important part of song writing. I want my lyrics to make people feel something. Melody is the most important part of a song arguably, because it’s what people get hooked on first. It’s the part people remember above all else, but the lyrics connect you with a song, like it was written for you in a way.
Good song lyrics validate feelings and emotions that maybe you have but can’t quite put in words yourself. At least that’s the way it is for me. All my lyrics are written about real life stuff that I’ve been through in one way or another. Some of my songs use creative license but most are from real life events that I’ve experienced or gone through.
5. California is clearly more than just a geographical location in your music—it seems to be part of the project’s identity and atmosphere. How has Southern California’s culture, lifestyle, coastline, and musical history shaped the sound of South Swell Syndicate?
This was a running joke in the studio because the same thing has been said for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. They have a bunch of songs referencing “California” to the point where it becomes cliché. I almost left “California Sun” off the record for that very reason. I didn’t want to over use the theme. But the song turned out so good we couldn’t do that; especially after the Tribal Seeds boys added the horns.
As mentioned earlier, I grew up in SoCal, so it’s in my DNA. It’s a melting pot of culture, food and style that blends together creating something unique and undeniable. Add great weather to the mix and it’s obvious why so many people are drawn here. Despite all the negatives like high taxes, political corruption, crime, pollution, etc., it has a lot to offer that most places can’t compete with, and all that bleeds through in my songwriting, even if I try to resist it.
6. With Go Where I Please now released, you have your sights set on becoming a staple of the California Roots touring circuit. What are your ambitions for South Swell Syndicate over the coming months, and what would you love listeners to discover about the project next?
Well first off, I’m creating a dual branded band and surf clothing company. So, I’m currently gearing up to start an online shop for shirts, hats and other things with the “South Swell Syndicate” logo. I figure, even if you don’t like, or know, who the band is, you might like the name and inadvertently advertise it anyway. And the brand might help you discover the band. That’s my idea anyway. I have a bunch of cool designs I’ve been making so I’m really excited to get that going. As far as the band goes, I’d really love to start doing shows at surf and reggae festivals like California Roots in Monterey and The Super Girl Surf Festival in Oceanside, as well as perform at Surf Clubs like California Surf Club in Redondo Beach, and Kelly Slater’s Surf Ranch in Lemoore. There are so many cool venues I think our music would sound killer at. I’m also going back in the studio in Jan to do the follow up record, so be on the lookout for that hopefully next year.