Based in Encinitas, CA, Surfdog Records is an independent record label founded in 1993 by Dave Kaplan, an artist manager since 1985 when he signed his first major client, the British reggae artists UB40. Surfdog is one of five cornerstones of a broad-reaching entertainment group that also includes our companies: Dave Kaplan Management, Surfdog Publishing & Licensing, Surfdog Entertainment Marketing and Surfdog’s Java Hut.

The label’s passion for music includes an eclectic array of genres spanning rock, big band swing, reggae, punk, Latin, folk, rockabilly, comedy, hip-hop and, in the early years, even a release of crazy cosmic galactic rock n' roll by the Venice Beach icon, roller-skating/turbaned Harry Perry!