Nick Rattigan (born c. 1993) is an American musician, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. He is widely recognized as the primary creative force behind the solo project Current Joys and as the co-founder and drummer/vocalist of the indie rock band Surf Curse.
Career Rattigan began his musical career in Reno, Nevada, developing a distinct lo-fi and melancholic sound that would come to define his solo work.
- Current Joys: Formed as Rattigan's solo project, Current Joys is characterized by its raw, emotional, and often introspective sound, drawing influences from indie rock, bedroom pop, and post-punk revival. Rattigan writes, performs, and produces most of the music himself. Notable albums include A Different Age (2018), Voyager (2021), and LOVE + POP (2024). His live performances for Current Joys often feature a full band.
- Surf Curse: Rattigan co-founded Surf Curse in 2011 with guitarist Jacob Rubeck. In this duo, Rattigan typically plays drums and provides vocals. The band gained significant recognition for their song "Freaks" from their 2013 album Buds, which experienced a resurgence in popularity through social media platforms in the early 2020s. Other albums include Heaven Surrounds You (2019) and Magic Hour (2022). Surf Curse's sound blends garage rock, indie pop, and surf rock elements.
Musical Style and Themes Across both projects, Rattigan's music frequently explores themes of youth, nostalgia, heartbreak, anxiety, and the passage of time. His lyrical style is often poetic and evocative, contributing to the introspective atmosphere of his songs. Musically, he employs a range of textures, from sparse and intimate acoustic arrangements to expansive, reverb-drenched soundscapes. He is known for his distinct vocal delivery, which can range from hushed and vulnerable to powerful and emotive.
Other Work Beyond his musical endeavors, Rattigan has also been involved in filmmaking, often directing music videos for his own projects, which frequently complement the melancholic and cinematic aesthetic of his music.