Current Joys

Biography

Current Joys is the solo project of American musician Nicholas Foster Rattigan, born on August 6, 1992, in Henderson, Nevada. He is also known as the lead singer and drummer of the indie surf rock band Surf Curse. Rattigan's music as Current Joys is often characterized as bedroom pop, indie rock, and new wave, with a distinctly lo-fi and emotionally raw aesthetic.

Early Career and Musical Evolution

Rattigan began his solo musical journey in 2011, initially releasing music under the name The Nicholas Project. He later adopted the moniker TELE/VISIONS, under which he released his debut album "Wild Heart" in 2013. The name was influenced by the film "Videodrome". In 2015, he transitioned to the name Current Joys, a name inspired by a song from folk artist Liam the Younger, feeling it better represented his evolving musical direction. This change marked a significant shift in his style, as seen in his second album, "Me Oh My Mirror" (2015).

Musical Style and Influences

Current Joys' music is known for its blend of driving drum machine beats, melodic guitar lines, and Rattigan's emotive, often quavering vocals. His sound is influenced by a range of genres including new wave, experimental, and garage rock. A significant source of inspiration for Rattigan is cinema, with filmmakers like Lars Von Trier, Terrence Malick, and Andrei Tarkovsky influencing the thematic and emotional depth of his work. This cinematic influence is particularly evident in his 2021 album, "Voyager," which was his first to be recorded in a professional studio with a full band.

Discography

Rattigan has been prolific under the Current Joys moniker, releasing a series of albums that have garnered a dedicated following.

Studio Albums:

• Wild Heart (2013, as TELE/VISIONS, later re-released as Current Joys)
• Me Oh My Mirror (2015)
• A Different Age (2018)
• Voyager (2021)
• LOVE + POP (2023)
• LOVE + POP Pt 2 (2024)
• East My Love (2024)

Other Projects

Surf Curse

In addition to his solo work, Rattigan formed the band Surf Curse in 2012 with Jacob Rubeck. The band, where Rattigan is the drummer and lead vocalist, has released several albums and gained significant popularity, particularly after their song "Freaks" went viral on TikTok. Surf Curse's music is often described as surf punk and garage rock.

Filmmaking and Visuals

Rattigan is also a music video director, having directed videos for other artists. His passion for film is a consistent thread throughout his creative output, deeply informing the visual and narrative aspects of his music.