Jack Johnson is returning to his roots with the announcement of SURFILMUSIC, a career-spanning documentary and a massive companion double album. Fresh off its World Premiere at SXSW, the project chronicles Johnson’s evolution from an aspiring pro surfer and filmmaker to a multi-platinum musician.
Directed by Emmett Malloy, SURFILMUSIC traces how Johnson’s early years spent behind a 16mm camera making surf films—such as Thicker Than Water and The September Sessions—laid the groundwork for his songwriting. The film features a "who’s who" of the surfing and music worlds, including Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Ben Harper, and G Love, while offering a poignant tribute to the late Tamayo Perry.
To accompany the film, Johnson will release the SURFILMUSIC Soundtrack and 4-Tracks double album on May 15 via Brushfire Records. This release is a treasure trove for fans, split into two distinct parts:
The Soundtrack: Features an original score composed with the hypnotic Latin-instrumental duo Hermanos Gutiérrez. It includes a reimagined, atmospheric rendition of "Drink the Water," which is available to stream today.
The 4-Tracks Album: A meticulously curated collection of raw, archival recordings from Johnson’s personal tapes. It features "unreleased gems" and early 4-track versions of hits like "Flake," "Bubble Toes," and "Inaudible Melodies."
Following the SXSW buzz, Johnson is bringing the film home to Hawai‘i for two special screenings at the Blaisdell Concert Hall on May 14 and 15. In a nod to his local community.
For those who want to revisit the origins, Johnson’s seminal surf films have also been remastered in 4K and are now available on VOD platforms. A wider theatrical run for SURFILMUSIC is slated to begin in June 2026.
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