Back in my small mountain town, I loved going to small, intimate concerts in the San Diego area where surf rock is always on the setlist. My favorite artists include some larger bands such as Sun Room and Surf Curse and some very small, local bands like The Happy Return, Saint Luna, and Dolphins on Acid. Popularized by the Beach Boys in the 1960s, surf rock’s close harmonies and long-held legato melodies have become the soundtrack of the Southern California lifestyle. Guitar riffs and solos particularly evoke a sense of longing for the summer, the outdoors, and the ocean.

Transitioning from a downtempo SoCal lifestyle to the rigorous, fast-paced life of Nashville was one of the hardest experiences of my life, but one constant that made it much easier was my love for surf rock, which kept me connected to my West Coast roots. Throughout my move to Nashville, I wanted to find a way to remind myself of home, while living in the present, and I found that listening to surf rock was the perfect way to do that. Whether I’m listening to my favorite artists in my headphones or seeing them live, I’m always at my happiest, and my sappiest, when listening to surf rock.

One recent experience that impacted me was the release and subsequent music video release of my favorite band’s (Sun Room) new single “Cadillac.” I’ve gone to their shows for a few years now, seeing them everywhere from a backyard in California to The Basement East in East Nashville. But when one of my favorite bands came to Nashville, I sort of had a “homecoming” experience. During the show, the lead singer, Luke Asgian, asked if anyone else was from California, which sparked conversations between me and fellow SoCal transplants at the concert. We Southern Californians can have our own vibe and way of life, which were definitely captured in the venue that night, and it allowed me to feel freer than I’ve felt at any other concert in Nashville.

Concerts and music as a whole have allowed me to make one of the biggest transitions in my life: moving across the country for college. Music, especially surf rock, has allowed me to stay grounded in my downtempo hometown routine while retaining my excitement for all of the new adventures and opportunities that Vanderbilt and Nashville have to offer.

Featured graphic by Cortneia Jasper