You’ve spent your life chasing some of the biggest waves on the planet. When did music first become something serious for you rather than just something you did on the side?
Music became serious for me when I had a bad injury competing in 2023. My music was a way for me to heal in one of the lowest points of my life. My professional and competitive surfing career was said to be over when I sustained that knee injury. So my music career became more than serious, it saved my life.
Catch A Wave feels emotional and personal. Was there a specific moment or memory that sparked the idea for the song?
Catch A Wave was a song written when a fellow surfer of Aaron Bruno’s passed away.
How did the collaboration with Aaron Bruno from AWOLNATION come together, and what was it like working with him in the studio?
The collaboration between Aaron and I started while on tour. My producer and Label partner jimmy messer was a band mate in the original AWOL project, he reached out to Aaron to see about opening up for them on a north america tour. Aaron and I got along well and he was stoked on my story and what we were creating at Villains 4 Good records so he said let’s collaborate on something to put out. I’ve been hangin with Aaron a bunch. He is a good braddah, he loves to surf so we spend most of our time in the water or a wave pool somewhere more than the studio!
You grew up on the North Shore of Oahu, which has such a strong surf culture and community. How much has that environment shaped your music and songwriting?
Growing up on the north shore in that strong surf culture was awesome. It was radical to say the least. It just goes to show in a way when it comes to the sound and lyrics of my music. It’s raw, it’s real and it’s unapologetic just like the north shore! It’s all about the raw energy.
Surfing big waves and performing music are very different worlds. Do you get a similar feeling from being on stage as you do when you’re out in the water?
Yes they are different. The surfing was about ME, who can I be. The music is for us, who can I connect with. There are a lot of people struggling with things in this world just like me and I hope something I do or something in my lyrics can resonate with people so they know they are not alone, we are all in this fight together. Maybe one day I can help change someone’s life, maybe many people, maybe get someone to believe in themselves again and they go on and do that for others. That would be a successful career for me this time around not the titles or trophies.
You’ve been open about going through some difficult periods earlier in your life. Did music become a way for you to work through those experiences?
Yes music was the thing that gave me hope when I needed it most. I was seriously one foot in the grave. I had to get the pain, the addiction, the self induced suffering out somehow and music gave me the platform to be truthful to myself and the opportunity to tell the real story. It was either writing and getting it out or hide it and die.
When you’re writing a song, do you usually start with lyrics, a melody, or just a feeling you want to capture?
I really write songs from all over the place. But one thing is for sure it’s got to bring the ENERGY!
You’re heading to Australia for Sessions Surf Festival. What has your relationship with Australia been like over the years?
Australia is home away from home for me, it’s like a family. I have so many great memories, good and bad:) haha……. Depends who you ask. Nah but really it is like a second home for me over there. Australians are some of the most solid incredible people I’ve ever known.
With a new album on the way, how would you describe the direction your music is heading now?
ENERGY, for me it’s less about what you hear and more about the Feeling! It’s punk, it’s rock, it’s just me.
When you look at everything so far — surfing, music, life — what keeps you motivated to keep pushing forward?
Honestly ill tell it to you like this, Fuck motivation i dont need it. I’m just dedicated to LIFE, I just wanna Live……..
