March 24, 2021
Vans Presents: Sonic Souvenirs
A Series of Portraits of Mikey February, beginning in South Africa
Vans Surf Presents Sonic Souvenirs: A World Premiere | Surf | VANS
Join Vans and Mikey February on a spiritual journey up and down the East and West coasts of South Africa in the first episode of Sonic Souvenirs, a new series of portraits exploring the interconnectedness of art, sound, and surfing, directed by Kai Neville.
Growing up in South Africa, Mikey’s style is the result of a harmonious blend of his natural environment including the ocean, art, music, and culture. In this first episode, Mikey embarks on a visually and sonically inspiring experience as he visits his childhood home of Cape Town and the smaller villages in the surrounding area, shedding a light on the diversity that exists within the region and how it influences the people, music and overall culture.
As an overarching backdrop throughout the entire series, music continues to play a pivotal role in Mikey’s life and his surfing. In the first episode of Sonic Souvenir, set to original music by South African musician Madala Kunene and friends, Mikey recounts how music became a driving force for him at a young age.
Listen to Mikey's Spotify playlist .
Mikey also addresses the joys and pressures of growing up so close to South Africa’s East Cape, one of surfing’s most renowned destinations, and how this has shaped his perspective and approach.
Mikey represents a new generation of surfing in Africa, receiving global attention for his seemingly-effortless approach, as much as for the new path he blazes. Growing up with J-Bay just a quick plane ride away, Mikey shaped himself into one of the most stylish surfers today. He’s also been a driving force in Vans’ philanthropic initiative to inspire at-risk youth in South Africa through surfing in partnership with Waves for Change. As a result of that work, Mikey and his wife were inspired to found their own organization, JUJU, a non-profit dedicated to highlighting and supporting emerging surf sites in Africa.
The first episode of Sonic Souvenirs premieres globally on April 13 on Vans’ YouTube channel.