New Years Eve With A Local Favorite At The Coach House

donavon frankenreiter

Donavon Frankenreiter will ring in the new year at the Coach House Dec. 31

American surf rock musician, Donavon Frankenreiter, ignited his professional life as a surfer initially. He’s also a good friend of fellow surf inspired musician, Jack Johnson, so how much cooler could he get?

Frankenreiter’s debut self-titled album was released on Johnson’s Brushfire Records label through Universal Music in 2004. He will be performing at one of his old local spots The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Dec. 31.

OC Concert Guide questioned Frankenreiter on his musical career, inspirations and future goals.

OCCG: What’s your most favorite part about doing music?
DF: Recording it and playing live and being able to take it where ever I go. I just love that u can play music with anyone anywhere at anytime.

OCCG: Why did you decide to pursue music as a career as opposed to surfing?
DF: I never choose one over the other. I still surf professionally and still make a living surfing with some amazing endorsement’s from Subaru, Billabong, Von Zipper, Sanuk, Hobie surfboards, Tea of a Kind, Martin Guitars, and more. It’s an amazing thing that both music and surfing work so well together. You can surf all day and play music all night; they just help each other for me. In so many ways and I am very happy that I never had to choose one over the other. I don’t know if I could of done that.

OCCG: If you weren’t doing music or surfing, what do you think you’d be doing instead?
DF: I don’t know. I am so full steam ahead with my music and surfing that I haven’t really thought of anything else.

OCCG: Who’s your inspiration when it comes to your sense of style?
DF: My wife has been an inspiration to me on so many levels and on so many things. I am a very lucky man to have met and married such a women.

OCCG: How do you balance out your family life with your work life?
DF: It’s one of those things in my life that I do struggle with. If I am out for more than 3-4 weeks and they are not with me it gets hard for everyone in my family. A lot of times they come with me and those moments are priceless to travel around the world together and share the moments together surfing and playing music.

OCCG: Where would you like to perform that you haven’t yet?
DF: The moon. That would be fun to jam in space and have a gig on the moon.

OCCG: Your mustache has become a part of your iconic look. Why do you think that is?
DF: I am not sure at all, Sanuk Sandals made a look-a-like stick on mustache which really made the whole mustache thing kind of get out of control. They would give them away at my shows. It’s been really fun actually. Who knows, one day I may shave it off, but it will just grow back.

OCCG: Are you happy with where you are today? What do you plan on doing from here on out?
DF: I feel like the luckiest person. I have an amazing wife, two boys and I am just having the best time in my life playing music, surfing, being a dad and husband. It all goes by so fast and you just got to hold on tight and enjoy ever moment!!!!!!!!!

OCCG: What advice do you give to struggling, aspiring musicians out there?
DF: Just have as much fun as possible and keep doing what you love. I truly believe if you are doing what you love that is a success in itself!!