Nick Rattigan

Last updated

Nick Rattigan
Nick Rattigan for Surf Curse, 2022.jpg
Rattigan with Surf Curse, 2022
Background information
Birth nameNicholas Foster Rattigan
Also known asCurrent Joys
Born (1992-08-06) August 6, 1992 (age 32) [1] [2]
Henderson, Nevada, U.S.
Origin Reno, Nevada, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • drums
  • vocals
  • keyboards [3]
Years active2011–present
LabelsDanger Collective, Secretly Canadian

Nicholas Foster Rattigan (born August 6, 1992) is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, journalist and music video director, originating from Reno, Nevada. He currently releases music under the moniker Current Joys. He also is the drummer and lead singer of the indie surf rock band Surf Curse.

Contents

As an artist, Rattigan began releasing music as The Nicholas Project from 2011 to 2012, thereafter releasing music as TELE/VISIONS, releasing his debut album, Wild Heart, on January 2, 2013, as well as all of his music on Bandcamp. After 2015, Rattigan began performing as Current Joys, with his second studio album Me Oh My Mirror, released on February 16, 2015, reflecting the significant change in his style of music.

He released his third album, A Different Age, on March 2, 2018. His fourth album, Voyager, was released on May 14, 2021. He released his fifth album, LOVE + POP, on August 4, 2023. The sequel, LOVE + POP Pt 2, was released on May 3, 2024.

Career

2011–2015

Rattigan started individually writing and releasing music as The Nicholas Project, after an anonymous Myspace message inspired him to compose music. He self-released a slew of independently produced recordings on Bandcamp from November 2011 to October 2012 under the moniker. [4] [5]

As TELE/VISIONS, Rattigan self-released his debut album, Wild Heart, on January 2, 2013. [6] Citing the name change as being influenced by Videodrome , Rattigan said to FORGE Magazine that "I was writing this song and my roommate had given me a drum machine, so I was like "This is perfect! I can start playing live shows!" and they were like "yeah but no one is going to book you with your name as the Nicholas Project" and they were right." [7]

In 2013, Rattigan and classmate Jacob Rubeck, who self-releases music under the moniker Gap Girls (Previously Casino Hearts), [8] formed the band Surf Curse. This surf punk band would be their second major project after a small project named Buffalo 66. [9] Through Big Joy Records, an independent label in Los Angeles, California, they released their debut album, Buds, in June 2013 [10] and the extended play (EP) Sad Boys EP in October. [11]

Three EPs were released in 2013: Young Luv in January, [12] No One Will Dance in February [13] and Neon Gold in June. [14] Also, from May to July 2013, Rattigan wrote for Noisey, a brand under Vice . [15]

An extended play, 2013, was released in January 2014. [16] 2008–2010, a compilation album, was released as the final work under The Nicholas Project in May. [17] A compilation of b-sides and unreleased tracks, B-Sides, Rarities and Demos, was released a month later. [18]

Rattigan wrote for Impose as an intern from September to October 2014. [19]

Found on his YouTube channel, Rattigan has performed under additional names, Franco Years and Devil Worship. Both of these projects can be found on Bandcamp.

2015–present

In February 2015, Rattigan announced that the follow-up to Wild Heart was almost complete. [20] [ non-primary source needed ] The album, Me Oh My Mirror, was then self-released on February 16. [21]

In January 2016, the limited-edition zine Alabama (2000 Light Years) was announced for release in February. [22] [ non-primary source needed ]

On March 6, 2016, the song "New Flesh" from Wild Heart was used in a short video titled "Flesh" on Vine by Internet celebrity Emma Greer, under her online alias GIBBERTON. The video was her last before her death from cancer twenty-one days later and caused a rise in interest towards the song. [23] [ non-primary source needed ] Two days later, Rattigan released a song, "Kids", and announced the name change to Current Joys instead of TELE/VISIONS, stating that "I no longer feel like it represents the music I want to make and there are too many conflicts with the band Television which present problems for future prospects." [24] [ non-primary source needed ] To fit with the change, Rattigan re-released all of his music under the moniker in October. [25] [ non-primary source needed ]

Rattigan, debuting as a music video director, produced and directed the music video for "123" by the folk punk band Girlpool in March 2017. [26] [27] In July, Rattigan released a second limited-edition zine entitled Days, which came with an unreleased five-song EP. [28] [ non-primary source needed ] He also collaborated with labelmate BOYO for a 4-track EP, Split, released by Danger Collective and Terrible Records on September 6. [29]

On January 8, "Become The Warm Jets" and "Fear" were released as the lead singles for A Different Age, his debut album on Danger Collective. [30] The music video for "In a Year of 13 Moons", named after a 1978 film by Rainer Werner Fassbinder, was released on January 30 as the third single. [31] In February, the fourth single from the album, "My Nights Are More Beautiful Than Your Days", titled after the film of the same name, premiered on L.A. Record. [32] The album was released on March 2. Within the same month, NPR included "Fear" in "The Austin 100", a playlist of songs from artists performing at SXSW. [33] His 2023 album, LOVE + POP, featured an unexpected feature from popular American rapper and singer Lil Yachty on the track "Gatsby". His 2024 album, LOVE + POP Pt 2, contained collaborations from Gonerville, Brutus VIII, FearDorian, and 1nonly.

Personal life

Rattigan was born in Henderson, Nevada, but moved to Reno for education. Early in his career, he moved to Brooklyn, New York. He now currently resides in Los Angeles, California and Dallas, Texas.

According to Rattigan, he taught himself guitar mostly through online guitar tabs for artists such as System of a Down and Flogging Molly. He also took drum lessons when he was eight years old. [7]

Rattigan has revealed that he suffers from a form of generalized anxiety disorder. [30] [34]

Discography

Studio albums

Compilation albums

Live Albums

EPs

Singles

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nick McCabe</span> English musician

Nicholas John McCabe is an English musician, best known as being the lead guitarist of the rock group the Verve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DeVotchKa</span> American music group

DeVotchKa is an American four-piece multi-instrumental and vocal ensemble. They take their name from the Russian word devochka (девочка), meaning "girl". Based in Denver, Colorado, the quartet is made up of Nick Urata, who sings and plays theremin, guitar, bouzouki, piano, and trumpet; Tom Hagerman, who plays violin, accordion, and piano; Jeanie Schroder, who sings and plays sousaphone, double bass, and flute; and Shawn King, who plays percussion and trumpet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alden Penner</span> Canadian musician and producer (born 1983)

Alden Penner is a Canadian musician and producer best known for his work with the Unicorns, Clues, and for his solo output.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eleventyseven</span> American pop punk band

Eleventyseven is an American pop punk band from Greenville, South Carolina which was formed in 2002. They chose the name "Eleventyseven" because "it's the one that looked cool the next morning". The band was originally signed to Flicker Records and released two albums with the label that charted on Christian music charts. After an independent streak, the band signed on to Sony Japan before returning to an independent status a year later. They continued to tour, self produce and release music independently until disbanding in September 2014.

The discography of American alternative rock band The Innocence Mission consists of twelve studio albums, two compilation album, two releases issued for free download, five EPs, seventeen singles, ten music videos, and numerous appearances on soundtrack, tribute and sampler albums. The band have had their songs included on over a hundred different compilations and soundtracks, with many of those including the same select few songs. Therefore, only compilations and soundtracks which featured exclusive or otherwise rare content have been included. Also included on this list are their various solo albums and collaborations with other recording artists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurt Travis</span> American musician

Kurt Travis is an American singer, musician, and songwriter from Sacramento, California. He is currently part of the post-hardcore bands Royal Coda and Push Over and the math rock duo Gold Necklace and was formerly a vocalist in the rock bands Dance Gavin Dance and A Lot Like Birds.

Windsor Airlift is an American ambient post-rock band formed by brothers Andy Johnson and Tony Johnson, and Adam Young. The band, to date, has released eight studio albums, eight extended plays, one live album, and six singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kitty (musician)</span> American singer (born 1993)

Kathryn-Leigh Beckwith, also known as Kitty Ray, known professionally as Kitty, is an American rapper, singer, and music producer. She started her career in music as a teenager, uploading original songs to her Tumblr blog under the names Kitty Pryde and ♡kitty♡.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girlpool</span> Indie band from Los Angeles, California

Girlpool was an indie rock band from Los Angeles, California, formed by friends Avery Tucker and Harmony Tividad. Their debut self-titled EP Girlpool was released on Bandcamp in 2014 and re-released on Wichita Recordings later that year. They released their debut album Before the World Was Big in 2015, followed by Powerplant (2017) and What Chaos Is Imaginary (2019). Their fourth and final studio album, Forgiveness (2022), was released on April 29. In August 2022, the duo announced that they will be taking an indefinite break from the band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Garden (band)</span> American experimental rock band

The Garden is an American experimental rock band from Orange County, California, formed in 2011 by twin brothers Wyatt and Fletcher Shears. The duo released their debut album The Life and Times of a Paperclip in 2013, with several smaller releases following. In 2015, the group released their second studio album Haha along with the lead single "All Smiles Over Here :)" to critical acclaim after being signed to Epitaph Records. The brothers have toured across the US, Europe, United Kingdom, China, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and in 2019 and 2023, they appeared at Coachella.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Surf Curse</span> American surf rock band

Surf Curse is an American indie surf rock band formed in 2012 in Reno, Nevada, and now based out of Los Angeles. The band was originally formed by Nick Rattigan and Jacob Rubeck (guitars), and now also includes Henry Dillon and Noah Kholl. The band achieved mainstream success after their song "Freaks", written in 2011 and first released in 2013, became popular on the short-form video platform TikTok in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kitty discography</span>

American singer Kitty has released two studio albums, one mixtape, two compilation albums, ten extended plays, and twenty-eight singles. Kitty began rapping in 2010, and shared her music online under the stage name Kitty Pryde. In 2011, she served as a member of hip-hop group Jokers in Trousers. The group released a self-titled EP, which would be their only release before disbanding. In July 2011, Kitty released a solo mixtape titled The Lizzie McGuire Experience.

Dark Tea is an American, Brooklyn-based music project, founded in 2016 by singer-songwriter Gary Canino. Dark Tea has released two full length albums and an EP.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Void of Vision</span> Australian band

Void Of Vision are an Australian metalcore band from Melbourne, formed in 2013. The band consists of vocalist Jack Bergin, guitarists James McKendrick and Mitch Fairlie and drummer George Pfaendner. Void of Vision have released three studio albums: Children of Chrome (2016), Hyperdaze (2019) and Chronicles (2023).

Black Dresses was a Canadian noise pop duo consisting of Ada Rook and Devi McCallion, formed in 2017. Their debut album, Wasteisolation, was released independently in 2018. The duo released three additional albums, Thank You (2019), Love and Affection for Stupid Little Bitches (2019), and Peaceful as Hell (2020), before breaking up in 2020 in response to harassment received by McCallion. Despite maintaining their declaration of disbandment in 2020, Black Dresses released three additional albums, Forever in Your Heart (2021), Forget Your Own Face (2022), and Laughingfish (2024). Upon releasing Laughingfish, the band announced that it would be their final album.

<i>Heaven Surrounds You</i> 2019 indie rock album by Surf Curse

Heaven Surrounds You is the third studio album by American indie surf rock band Surf Curse. It was released on September 13, 2019.

Ryan Downey is a singer/songwriter from Melbourne, Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Disco (Surf Curse song)</span> 2019 single by Surf Curse

"Disco" is the 2019 lead single from the album Heaven Surrounds You by the band Surf Curse for the label Danger Collective. It was released on 12 June alongside a music video directed by band member Nick Rattigan The song, in part inspired by the film The Last Days of Disco, was praised for its use of guitar and percussion.

<i>Magic Hour</i> (Surf Curse album) 2022 studio album by Surf Curse

Magic Hour is the fourth studio album and major-label debut by American band Surf Curse and their first album with Atlantic Records. Produced by Chris Coady, it was released on October 7, 2022. The album received generally favorable reviews.

<i>Buds</i> (Surf Curse album) 2013 studio album by Surf Curse

Buds is the debut studio album by American indie surf rock band Surf Curse. It was released on June 21, 2013. It contained the song "Freaks", which would become a viral hit on the video-creation platform TikTok.

References

  1. Fernandez, Ivan (August 7, 2017). "The Future of SoCal Indie Music Looks Bright – and Latino – at Viva! Pomona". LA Weekly . Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  2. "Current Joys". Currentjoys.tumblr.com. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  3. "Current Joys live at Daytrotter Studios". YouTube .
  4. "The Basement Tapes by The Nicholas Project". Bandcamp . November 14, 2011. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  5. "LA Dream by The Nicholas Project". Bandcamp . October 11, 2012. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  6. "Wild Heart by TELE/VISIONS". Bandcamp . January 2, 2013. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  7. 1 2 James-Wilson, Matthew (April 27, 2015). "FORGE. Issue 7: Recovery". FORGE. issuu . Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  8. "Casino Hearts on Bandcamp". Bandcamp . Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  9. James-Wilson, Matthew (July 31, 2017). "FORGE. Issue 16: Perspective". FORGE. issuu . Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  10. "Buds, by Surf Curse". Surf Curse. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  11. "Sad Boys EP, by Surf Curse". Surf Curse. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  12. "Young Luv EP by TELE/VISIONS". Bandcamp . January 19, 2013. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  13. "No One Will Dance by TELE/VISIONS". Bandcamp . February 13, 2013. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  14. "Neon Gold by TELE/VISIONS". Bandcamp . June 23, 2013. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  15. "Nick Rattigan – Noisey". Noisey. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  16. "2013 by TELE/VISIONS". Bandcamp . January 21, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  17. "2008–2010 by The Nicholas Project". Bandcamp . Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  18. "B-Sides, Rarities and Demos by TELE/VISIONS". Bandcamp . June 5, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  19. "Nick Rattigan". Impose . Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  20. "Current Joys – New album is almost done. Should be out..." Facebook. February 4, 2015. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  21. "Me Oh My Mirror by Current Joys". Bandcamp . February 16, 2015. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  22. "Current Joys – Zine release show Feb 13th at The Smell..." Facebook. January 24, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  23. "@emmagreerie I want to know the songg". Twitter. March 29, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  24. "Current Joys – Dear close friends and supporters, I have..." Facebook. March 8, 2015. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  25. "Current Joys – My entire discography (previously released..." Facebook. October 26, 2016. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  26. Rettig, James (March 6, 2017). "Girlpool – "123" Video". Stereogum . Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  27. Cook-Wilson, Winston (March 6, 2017). "New Music: Girlpool Announce New Album Powerplant, Share "123"". Spin . Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  28. "Current Joys – Hey everyone! Sorry I've been quiet on..." Facebook. July 11, 2017. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  29. "Current Joys / BOYO – Split". Danger Collective. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  30. 1 2 Israelsohn, Sophie (January 8, 2018). "Current Joys – "Become The Warm Jets" & "Fear" Videos". Stereogum . Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  31. "Current Joys – In a Year of 13 Moons". YouTube. January 30, 2018. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  32. "VIDEO PREMIERE: CURRENT JOYS "MY NIGHTS ARE MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN YOUR DAYS"". L.A. Record . February 14, 2018. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  33. Thompson, Steven (March 1, 2018). "The Austin 100: Current Joys". NPR . Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  34. Rutherford, Madison (March 10, 2018). "A Q & A with Current Joys' Nick Rattigan". College Times. Retrieved March 12, 2018.