The swell season

The Nada Surf story is long and colourful. In the early ‘90s, they scored a one hit wonder with ‘Popular’ only to see their popularity (no irony intended) take a nose-dive shortly afterwards. But the US trio rebounded by signing to an independent label and, over the course of their past two albums, have built a devoted cult following.
“I don’t think we would have weathered it if we'd been younger,” says frontman Matthew Caws of the band’s up and down history. “It would have been too heartbreaking.”
Still, even when they were thoroughly fed up with the music business, their love for rock and roll never dwindled. Says Caws: “Even when on the business side we couldn’t get arrested, the shows were always a lot of fun and really well attended and that was always very satisfying. ‘Popular’ was a burden for a couple of years when we were trying to find a new label, but I love it now. It’s just so funny!”
They love and are loved by their current home, Barsuk records, but Matthew feels the same old nervous anticipation as they prepare to release their new album, Lucky.
“It’s so scary every time," he says. “We don’t really have any external pressure anymore but it’s hard for me even with three years' time to come out with 45 minutes that I feel really strongly about.”
The songs on Lucky were accumulated over a period of 10 years. The album’s title, meanwhile, comes from one of Caws’ favourite lyrics on the record: “I’m such a lucky mess”.
He elaborates: “I never feel as lucky as I should. I really do believe that if you’re born and you’re a foot long and you just add liquids and solids, some sleep, some care, some stimulation, some shelter, some temperature control, some exercise and you grow to be 90 and your body works the whole time – it’s absolutely unbelievable. And if you manage to make it that whole way without a war and without getting shot, without becoming ill, then it’s an incredible ride. Incredibly lucky.”
Nada Surf gigs are a lovebomb – their performance at Glasgow’s Garage is no exception. Their fans adore them and sing their hearts out to every song. Nada Surf send us home believing again in musical catharsis, rejoicing in the knowledge, that even if the cynics win the battles, the romantics win the war.

Nada Surf plug Lucky in The Village, Dublin on May 10