Cowboy Surfer
Hello to all fans of Cowboy Surfer....our aim is to present a philosophy of living through the music we represent. It is Real Music by Real People for Real People. Not that a little fantasy thrown in once in awhile isn't ok, but we know the power and energy that music possesses and it's ability to influence people in a positive way. We try to tap into that energy and hope that our fans tap into it as well. Please take a moment and visit our website and enter the world of Cowboy Surfer....The "Surf Saloon" where one can quench their thirst and nourish their mind. The new stuff features the Butterfly logo of "Original Sin", a more blues based sound we are in love with. Enjoy both worlds.
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
Local Santa Barbara/Ventura musician Cowboy Surfer is known for helping to save the bluffs in Carpinteria in 1998, running his own record company Seedless Records, writing for MusicDish Magazine in NYC, webmaster for the Lobero Theater in Santa Barbara and now President of Golden Eagle Video, a non-profit, environmentally conscious organization educating through the use of film and music. In 1998, Cowboy Surfer (Stu Shulman) was instrumental in helping the city of Carpinteria raise $4 million in 4 months to save a cherished 52 acre coastal bluff property on sacred Chumash ground encompassing a harbor seal rookery. He produced a television commercial, radio spots, web pages and single handedly raised the funds for a boat ride along the bluffs which led directly to $1.5 million in grants and loans from the California Conservancy. He has also written for MusicDish magazine in NYC, has managed the website for the Historic Lobero Theater in Santa Barbara, heads up production for Golden Eagle Video, leads the band "Cowboy Surfer" and runs Seedless Records and Films. He recently produced two films, "The 1st Santa Barbara Peoples March for Economic Justice" with activist Julia Butterfly Hill as key speaker and a surf film showing local Santa Barbara and Ventura surf spots with the Santa Barbara Seals Surf School headed by JP Garcia. The 4 song CD soundtrack to the film featuring Cowboy Surfer and blues harmonica legend T Bone Steak as well as the film on DVD are available at SeedlessRecords.com For more information please contact at cowboysurfer@earthlink.net
Besides running Seedless Records and fronting Cowboy Surfer, Stu has helped to Save the Bluffs of Carpinteria by producing tv commercials, radio spots , websites and has been interviewed numerous times by local newspapers and East Coast publications like MusicDish Magazine and Theebrity Cafe. Stu was extensively involved recently in helping to raise $4 million in 4 months to Save the Bluffs in Carpinteria which is a sacred Chumash Indian Historical area & the boundary of a protected Harbor Seal Rookery. Stu was also involved with the ad campaign for the Kosovo Relief Concert in May '99 which led to Stu being interviewed on and the song "Nazi's in Chile" receiving airplay on 92.9 KJEE/Santa Barbara. This led directly to Stu being the first ever international interview on 106.7 PBS Melbourne with Fred E. Gostein who regularly spins Cowboy Surfer music down under.
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
Yes. Santa Barbara/Ventura/Los Angeles area, but we are planning to bust out into other areas very soon...so look out! Love it. It is what it's all about. The direct connection to music lovers.
Yes. I would say putting on the benefit for the Carpinteria Bluffs and playing at the gig were a highlight as it received news coverage and raised awareness for the cause which I was a big part of.
Recently played the Santa Barbara Surf a thon benefit, a Skate Park benefit and we are featured in a film with Julia Butterfly Hill
Your musical influences
Midnight Oil, Peter Gabriel, Pink Floyd, Neil Young, The Wallflowers...bands that make a difference.
Plus Blues artists like Freddie King, BB King, SRV, Jimi, Santana and on and on....
What equipment do you use?
Straight up Guitars, Bass & Drums with the occasional mandolin and acoustic flavorings.
Anything else?
Forget the hype...just go check it out!!