In the summer of 2008, iconic surfer and former Pipe Master Rob Machado flew to Indonesia to experience a different kind of surf trip. A journey that would take him way beyond his comfort zone, to the point where he could finally be alone with his thoughts, his desires and the empty perfection of an unnamed Indian Ocean reef. What did he discover? You never stop dreaming. Even when they come true…

U.S. PREMIERE AT THE NEW YORK SURF FILM FESTIVAL ON SEPTEMBER 25TH, 2009

International surf champion Rob Machado’s autobiographical film The Drifter will have its U.S. premiere at the New York Surf Film Festival on Friday, September 25th at 8:15 P.M. at Tribeca Cinemas in Lower Manhattan. The festival, presented by JetBlue Airways and The Dominican Republic, will showcase 16 feature-length surf films from across the globe from September 25th through the 27th.

Directed by Poor Specimen’s Taylor Steele, The Drifter is a beautifully shot, emotionally resonant film that documents Machado’s trip to Indonesia to experience a different kind of surf trip — a journey that would take him way beyond his comfort zone to a place where he could finally be alone with his thoughts. In the film, Machado wanders into the outskirts of the South East Asian surf paradise and winds up discovering that you can’t escape yourself. Coming full circle, Machado returns home ready to take on the next phase in a career in where he’s blazed a path and sealed his legacy as not only one of the world’s most stylish surfing ambassadors, but as a true humanitarian.

The Racontuers- Carolina Drama

Much of the dialogue in The Drifter is taken from Machado’s own personal journals. According to respected surf journalist Nathan Myers, who co-wrote the movie, there is nothing embellished in Machado’s candid, heart-felt passages. It is these passages, in fact, that drive the movie, from Machado’s epiphany in Bali, to his ill-fated motorcycle purchase, to his decision to delay his return to California, blindly pick a new island on the map, and just go.

The result is a tender, honest film that will enlighten as much as it will inspire. As Machado says, “Sometimes when you’re most alone, you’re not alone at all.”

Sire Records, good friends of Audio Muffin, headed the musical charge for the film and they did not disappoint. With a lineup blending Muffin covered bands like MGMT, The Racontuers, The Shins, The Black Keys and Brett Dennan with many up-and-coming acts like Stardeath and White Dwarfs, the audio-sensory capabilities alone for this film are of epic proportions.

Stardeath and White Dwarfs- New Heat

NYC Muffiners - CLICK HERE for tickets to see the film at the 2009 NY Surf Film Festival in Tribeca on September 25th. Thanks to Rob Machado’s official website for the press release.