Surf Mesa has quickly become one of electronic music’s most distinctive young voices. Since his 2019 breakout hit ‘ily (i love you baby)’ , which went viral on TikTok and rapidly catapulted his career, Surf Mesa has solidified a reputation for melodic and heartfelt releases.
Beyond his chart success, Surf Mesa’s influence can be felt in the way his music bridges the gap between electronic production and authenticity. Now, as his catalog expands he continues to shape a distinct sonic blueprint while continuously evolving as an artist. With a rapidly growing fanbase, major festival appearances and a crystal clear artistic vision, Surf Mesa stands as one of the genre’s most refreshing creators. In our exclusive interview with Surf Mesa, he discusses his move from club-focused sounds to melodic progressive house, his phenomenal North America tour, and the importance of perspective.
You’ve described your sound as “Aloe Vera House.” Can you tell us about the story behind that term and what it means to you creatively?
That term actually came from a funny moment years ago. I was in the car with my manager playing him some new music and his girlfriend said it didn’t sound like Afro House but something different. The joke kind of stuck and that’s where Aloe Vera House came from. But I don’t really use that term anymore. This past year I’ve found new inspiration in my sound. I stopped feeling fulfilled by the darker club focused stuff and started making music that has more soul to it. It still keeps the tempo and the progressive house elements but with more emotion and life. You can hear that in my recent releases like ‘The Moment’ and ‘Somebody Like You’.
It’s been refreshing to lean into that direction. It feels authentic to who I am and it’s fun especially when I get to play it live. I’ve realized that I have the freedom to explore all kinds of sounds and genres but at my core what I’m doing now is melodic progressive house. That’s what truly speaks to me!
Your tracks have a distinct warmth and serenity to them, but they translate so well onto the dancefloor too. How do you craft that balance between chill and energy?
Thank you! What’s funny is that combination is such a fine line. There’s always decision making when producing a dance track in a major key. If you’re in a major scale and you want to make a fun dance anthem with four on the floor house drums good luck. At least for me I’m so quick to judge music and think some ideas are lame or cheesy especially when it comes to my own. Maybe they actually are but maybe that ignorance is bliss.
At the end of the day what matters most is having fun making the music and remembering why I started. The chords hold the emotion and the drums hold the energy. Sometimes two chords do more than four. Sometimes only kicks do more than kicks and claps. It’s about feeling the music and understanding the story you want to tell in your head before you put it into audio. And it’s about making sure your ability as a producer is actually translating your ideas into sound the way you imagine them.
You’re currently on tour across North America. How’s the tour going, and what’s been your personal highlights of the tour so far?
The tour has been amazing!! Every show feels like a reminder of why I love doing this. My favorite part is seeing fans who have real excitement when they see me. It’s also just as fun when I’m feeling that same excitement seeing them, especially when friends and family are there too. One of my favorite memories was in Saint Louis. My uncle reached out before the show so we decided to hang out for a few hours. I caught up with him after nearly a decade and got to see my baby cousins. Sometimes it is really hard to see extended family but I am so grateful that what I do allows moments like that to happen. It made me realize how lucky I am.
What’s your dream location, festival or venue that you’d absolutely love to play at one day?
Anywhere I can play with the sunset in front of me or behind me is a dream! It always feels more special when I can share that moment with fans who are really about it too. That kind of energy makes me feel so lucky.
If I had to be specific, I would choose EDC or a festival at The Gorge. That way my family could make it out, and I would be in my home state of Washington with the sunset!
Growing up, your Dad was a Jazz saxophonist. How did this influence not only your taste in music, but how you relate to various genres?
He would play jazz around the house for sure, but he was also a fan of other genres, and that actually had more of an impact on me. I’m not alone in saying this, but my dad put me onto Coldplay and U2. He loves powerful melodic music, which really resonates with me. He was also a fan of The Killers, which was cool because now I’m a huge fan too. He is actually in my song ‘Somebody Like You’, playing a sax solo in the second half of the last drop. He sent it to me in a voice memo and I worked it in. I only had to tune it a LITTLE bit.
If your music could conjure up only one emotion in your listeners what would you want it to be and why?
I would want listeners to feel inspired. That feeling suggests that the music has depth and meaning, and that is always what I aim for.
‘ily (I Love You Baby)’ exploded on TikTok, but virality can be unpredictable and quite fleeting. How did this impact you on a personal level and how did you manage your surge in popularity?
Fleeting for sure! I don’t know if I’ll ever top that song anytime soon, but I don’t think that’s necessarily the goal. It has done so much for me and I’m so grateful. I think like any principle in life, you just have to keep your head down, keep working, show up every day, believe in the people around you, and most importantly, believe in yourself.
Can you tell us something that you’ve learnt from either failure or a creative block that’s changed the way you create?
Yeah, if you’re stuck on a song, just pitch it down two semitones. In other words, see it in a new light. Perspective is everything. Same as life.
How do you visualise your evolution within the next 2 to 5 years?
Hindsight is 2020. If I were to talk to myself five years ago, I would say focus on the music. It is the heart and core of this whole journey I am on. As for myself five years from now, I can only pay my highest due by focusing on the music. I am sure my future self will appreciate that. I just want to keep making music that reflects my heart, play shows with everything I have, and enjoy the ride. It is all but a dream anyway.
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