Jack Johnson announces SURFILMUSIC, a new documentary chronicling his evolution from surfer to filmmaker to world-renowned musician. The film makes its World Premiere today at SXSW ahead of a special concert tonight at Stubb’s in Austin, Texas, where Johnson and his band will perform with Hermanos Gutiérrez.
SURFILMUSIC traces how Johnson’s early years making surf films with close friends became a foundation for a much broader creative life, capturing moments in and out of the water that later surfaced in his songwriting. Blending rare footage from those formative surf films and Johnson’s personal and family archives with present-day reflections, the film weaves together how lived experience, friendship, and exploration shaped the sound and stories behind the music. Directed by Emmett Malloy, featuring Jack Johnson, Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, Gerry Lopez, Chris Malloy, G Love, Ben Harper, John Florence, Emmett Malloy, Kim Johnson, and more, with a beautiful score by Jack Johnson and Hermanos Gutiérrez. In loving memory of Tamayo Perry.
In addition to the new film, Johnson has announced a companion double album, SURFILMUSIC Soundtrack and 4-Tracks, arriving May 15 via Brushfire Records. The soundtrack features the film’s original score by Jack Johnson and Hermanos Gutiérrez alongside remastered selections from Johnson’s early four-track recordings. 4-Tracks presents a deeper dive into the archival music from Johnson’s personal tapes, including raw recordings and previously unreleased gems from his earliest days making music.
The first track from the soundtrack is a new rendition of “Drink the Water w/ Hermanos Gutiērrez,” and is available now on all digital streaming platforms along with an accompanying music video.
In celebration of the film’s SXSW premiere, Johnson and his band will perform a special concert tonight at Stubb’s in Austin. The night will kick off with a screening of his seminal film “Thicker Than Water” and a set by Hermanos Gutiérrez, offering a glimpse into his upcoming summer tour, where the brothers will join as support on select shows.
Johnson will also bring SURFILMUSIC home with two special screenings in Hawai‘i on May 14 and May 15 at Blaisdell Concert Hall. The events will celebrate the film’s deep connection where Johnson grew up surfing, filmmaking, and writing many of the songs that shaped his career. Tickets for the Hawaiʻi premiere screenings will go on sale the week of March 16, with registrations now open for a Hawaiʻi resident only presale.
Previously unavailable to stream or purchase, and now meticulously remastered in 4K from the original 16mm film prints, Thicker Than Water and The September Sessions both filmed by Jack Johnson in his early 20’s, are available for rent or purchase on all video on demand platforms.
SURFILMUSIC will begin a theatrical run in early June 2026 and additional details surrounding screenings, and events will be announced soon.
SURFILMUSIC Soundtrack
Side A
Haleʻiwa (4-track)
Hold On To The Light (film version) w/ Hermanos Gutiérrez
Journals w/ Hermanos Gutiérrez
Drink The Water Sketch (4-track)
Drink The Water w/ Hermanos Gutiérrez
Slow Down Bruce (4-track)
Surfilmusic Interlude w/ Hermanos Gutiérrez
Holes To Heaven (4-track)
The Horizon Has Been Defeated (4-track)
Side B
Tahiti w/ Hermanos Gutiérrez
Rodeo Clowns (4-track)
Ireland
F-Stop Blues (4-track)
Rack Focus (4-track)
Green Board w/ Hermanos Gutiérrez
Only The Ocean Sketch
Hold On To The Light (instrumental) w/ Hermanos Gutiérrez
Album 2 – 4-Tracks
Side A
Inaudible Melodies (4-track)
Flake (4-track)
Posters (4-track)
Fall Line (4-track)
Middle Man (4-track)
Fortunate Fool (4-track)
Taylor (4-track)
Side B
Bubble Toes (4-track)
Dream Be Dreams (4-track)
Sexy Plexi (4-track)
Drink The Water (4-track)
Symbol Sketch (4-track)
Symbol In My Driveway (4-track)
Cookie Jar (4-track)
Losing Hope (4-track)
Hammer On Slide (4-track)
The News (4-track)
Brushfire Sketch