**Jack Johnson Credits Kelly Slater with Sparking His Songwriting Journey in New Documentary ‘SURFILMUSIC’**
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In a revealing new documentary titled ‘SURFILMUSIC’, musician Jack Johnson shares the pivotal role that surfer Kelly Slater played in the inception of his songwriting career. The film debuted at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival on March 13, shedding light on the extraordinary friendship between the two icons and its impact on Johnson’s artistic journey.
Johnson, aged 50, has been friends with Slater, 54, for many years, and in the documentary, he recounts a significant moment from his adolescence that laid the groundwork for his musical aspirations. While in Hawaii, Slater introduced Johnson to a 4-track tape recorder that would ultimately become instrumental in his early exploration of music.
“I was 14 when I started playing guitar,” Johnson recalls in the film, reflecting on how Slater’s influence encouraged him to learn chords. At that time, Johnson was primarily focused on covering existing songs and had not yet considered the possibility of writing his own.
In a moment that would change his life, Slater, who is celebrated as one of the greatest surfers of all time, left the 4-track behind when he departed Hawaii for Florida. “I was like, ‘Wait a second, he’s gone?’” Johnson recalls. “And I just remember thinking the 4-track was still at my house and I was so stoked. That was the beginning for me.” This fortuitous keepsake catalysed Johnson’s evolution from a budding surfer into a musician.
Their enduring friendship has often seen them collaborating beyond just casual guitar sessions. Johnson and Slater have performed together at numerous events and festivals. Notably, the pair joined forces with fellow surfer Rob Machado for a rendition of “A Pirate Looks at Forty” during the Solento Surf Festival in California last September.
Their relationship extends into Johnson’s cinematic ventures as well. Both of Slater’s surfing exploits have been featured in Johnson’s surf films: ‘Thicker Than Water’ (2000) and ‘The September Sessions’ (2002). These projects showcase their shared passion for surfing and music, and encapsulate the essence of their longtime friendship.
‘SURFILMUSIC’ chronicles Johnson’s remarkable transition from aspiring surfer to filmmaker and established musician. Through an engaging narrative that intersperses rare footage from Johnson’s early surf films with personal anecdotes, the documentary offers viewers insights into how his life experiences, camaraderie, and quest for exploration have shaped both his sound and his stories.
Directed by Emmett Malloy, the documentary includes interviews from close friends and family, including Johnson’s wife, Kim, whom he married in 2000. Their life together, raising two sons and a daughter, forms a significant part of his story and influences his music.
The release of ‘SURFILMUSIC’ comes off the back of Johnson’s latest album, ‘Meet the Moonlight’, which was launched in 2022. This film not only highlights his musical journey but also reflects on the interconnected nature of his personal relationships and artistic expression.
As Johnson continues to navigate his career, the influence of friends like Slater remains evident. With ‘SURFILMUSIC’, audiences are invited to experience the melding of friendship and creativity that has marked Johnson’s life, making for an inspiring reflection on how seemingly small moments can launch a career into unexpected realms.