Who knew one of the biggest, most influential names in modern surf music would come from Italy?
Lorenzo Valdambrini, known the world over as Surfer Joe, is not only an internationally renowned performer, but the curator of one of the world’s top music festivals (the Surfer Joe Festival), and one of the top surf music venues (Surfer Joe Diner). His renown, this year alone, has taken him to Japan, Mexico, and across the United States as well as throughout Europe.
This international ambassador of surf music will perform this weekend at the annual Asbury Park Surf Music Festival on Saturday. We caught up with him to talk about the Italian surf music scene, his new record, and performing at the APSMF.
When you think of surf music you don’t think Italy. Can you talk about how you discovered surf music?
Surf music has been in Italy permanently from the early/mid 90s, so the so-called third wave. Surf bands came out just before Pulp Fiction in 1994 [when that movie came out it solidified] the fact that surf music was back and a new movement of bands everywhere was born.
My love for this genre started back then, probably around 1996. I got involved in a band that was playing some California music tunes (vocal stuff, Beach Boys, Jan & Dean) and slowly I got interested in the instrumentals wanting to know more and more – like I assume anybody else in this business.
Everything about California was interesting to me, starting from the ’60s. Maybe it was just the imagination of a teenager, but I was feeling attracted by all of that, the sound, the energy.
I started buying some records and looking for videos, but before Internet there was not much available and it was not easy to get to know the right people who could “teach” me (laughs).
I formed a band with my brother called The Pipelines in 1997 singing mostly Beach Boys tunes and it became quite successful in Italy. We performed more than 1000 times during the following 10 years. In 2001 I actually had the chance to jump on stage with the Beach Boys to sing ‘Barbara Ann,’ in Biarritz, France, and that has surely been one of the most exciting moments in my life.
You have a very distinct, awesome way of playing guitar — who are your biggest guitar influences?
I started to play guitar very late. I did not start playing guitar when I was a kid, I approached the guitar when I was already an adult. I have been singing for quite some time and then playing drums, and when I was a kid I learnt the music on the piano, which I have studied for about three years. All of a sudden I found myself playing guitar without having had lessons or a real teacher. But I knew the music well and this guided me to discover how to play things.
I would say that I like all traditional surf music, from Dick Dale (such an aggressive style, back to the origins) to the Lively Ones and about every 1st wave surf band. But my favorite surf band are The Astronauts from Colorado, and I love all about their music and their style. Sometimes I put some of them in my music, but certainly I developed my own style.
In the same vein — what is your favorite type of guitar to play, and why?
I play Fender guitars, mostly Jazzmaster and Jaguar. I like the shape of the guitars and most importantly their sound.
In the past three years I have been playing mostly a Jazzmaster. I think that as a trio this guitar has a better sustain and fuller sound, covering more frequencies and being a bit more aggressive. In general anyway I feel that’s better for my style of music and songwriting.
What do you love about surf music?
The simplicity, the energy, the sound and what it gives me terms of feelings.
It just brings me to other places and makes my imagination run wild.
You released a new record, Swell of Dwell, this year. How does it stand out from the rest of your catalog?
I really like this new record, I think it came out pretty well. When I started recording the tracks I was not convinced at all. I thought the material was not right. I was missing something. But shortly after I understood that there was much more in those tracks and it all came out. Recording all instruments gives you the chance to work out the songs completely in your mind and then improvise or change the direction of the songs itself depending on the mood and the ideas of the moment while recording. You don’t have to explain the parts to anyone, you just follow your instinct. Everything comes more natural and the way I want it.
The record is very balanced, the songs are positioned smartly in the two sides of the vinyl. It flows very well.
It’s difficult to say how it stands out from the rest. I think when you produce a new album you always like this new one best, probably because it better represents how you feel in that period and you have grown up musically from your previous works.
This year alone you’ve toured all over Europe, plus Japan, Mexico, and the United States. What is about your style of music that keeps you so in-demand? Also, is there any countries you’re really dying to get to play?
I want to find out more about Latin American and cannot wait to go to Canada. It will happen soon.
About my style of music? I don’t really know. I am no better than any other surf band, but I do work a lot and I am very focused on the bookings. Playing live has always been my favorite thing to do and I have dedicated to that long time, to make the right connections too. People seems to love the show and my music, probably because it is immediately recognizable as surf music, it reminds to the ’60s but it’s definitely new music. Also I am trying to keep the show very dynamic: this is very important in a genre like surf that has no vocals.
Can you talk about the Surfer Joe Diner? You’ve literally created an American-style diner, and concert venue. Can you talk about your inspirations for this venue, and how has it helped grow the Italian surf rock scene?
Well to be honest the Surfer Joe Summer Festival inspired us to make the diner, rather than the opposite. We started the festival in 2002 with the purpose to promote the Italian surf scene. Now we find ourselves 2018 handling the biggest surf music event in the world. The Surfer Joe Summer Festival is the most anticipated surf event of the year
So in 2012, my brother Luca together with Francesco (our friend and partner) and myself decided to open the diner as a headquarter for Surfer Joe music. We just did put together all posters we had from many surf shows mostly organized by us, plus a bunch of collectible items and decor and the place came out naturally based on our taste.
Speaking of the Surfer Joe Festival — what has been some of your favorite memories of producing the event?
The festival has countless memories. I cannot think of a favorite one; we had so many great moments and so many artists. A lot of bands that we really wanted to see as fans, first of all, and each one of them has been great since the first year!
You’ll be performing at the Asbury Park Surf Music Festival this weekend. Is this your first time performing in New Jersey? Outside of performing your set, what are you most excited for with this show? A band you’re stoked to see?
I did some shows in the area in 2013 if I well right, but it’s exciting to be back again. Actually I am planning to do more and more tours over here. I cannot wait to see the location in which the festival is taking place, and absolutely cannot wait to see many of the bands playing there.
I met some already during my shows in California, but it’s long time since I have seen Satan’s Pilgrims and Madeira. And, by the way, I will hosting a symposium about the history of surf music and the surf sound at 11 a.m. on Saturday. This is also going to be interesting!
What’s your tropical/tiki drink of choice, and why?
I am not a big drinker I have to say (laughs) but I like Mai Tai and I like rum.
And finally, what is the best surf movie of all-time?
I would say I have two preferences, one more commercial, the other more deep and sentimental. Beach Party is the most commercial choice, a movie that catch you in a funny way. It has the true spirit of surf music in its beginning: surf, fun, energy – although it’s a comedy. Big Wednesday is more of a sentimental choice, a complete different kind of film, quite sad for many aspects.
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