W hen Colin Padalecki ’20 arrived in Aggieland, he was a management information systems major and a pole-vaulter on the track team. By graduation, he had co-founded the internationally known band Surfaces, going triple platinum, performing for sold-out crowds and garnering millions of listeners online.
We asked him about his journey from pole-vaulter to music producer and how Texas A&M University shaped his career.
How did you get into music?
I’ve always loved music, but I didn’t pick up an instrument until I was 15. Fascinated by music videos, I started wondering how music is made. I began buying my own equipment and writing poems, hoping they’d turn into lyrics. Eventually, I managed to connect the music and lyrics, but I didn’t have the right voice for what I was going for. So, I gave the songs to my cousin, Alexa, to sing for me.
How did Surfaces get started?
I started Surfaces in high school, and while studying at Texas A&M, I posted my music online. Forrest Frank, who was attending Baylor at the time, heard my songs and reached out. To our surprise, we were just down the road from each other, so he’d drive to College Station on weekends to make music with me, and that’s how we became the duo people know today.
WE HEARD YOU RECORDED Your HIT SONG “SUNDAY BEST” IN COLLEGE STATION. HOW DID YOU DO THAT?
I was living in a house on Montclair Avenue while recording our second album, “Where the Light Is.” Forrest and I recorded “Sunday Best” in my tiny closet—I distinctly remember moving clothes to make room for him to sing. Most of the album was written and recorded in that little blue house.
Padalecki’s Super Bowl moment came in 2021 when Surfaces performed at Austin City Limits Music Festival. (Photo provided by Colin Padalecki ’20)
What was it like when the band got popular?
Music was just a hobby until my junior year at Texas A&M. I had no industry connections or formal lessons—just a love for creating. That year, I applied what I was learning at Mays Business School to create a business model and a website for the band. I designed merchandise through C.C. Creations and shipped it myself from the Montclair house.
Influencers were starting to gain traction, and many used our music in their vlogs. When they posted about the merchandise, orders skyrocketed from 30 to 900. I was trying to balance track, school and music, often skipping studying to package orders. I knew I had to stop doing track to focus on my music more.
During all this, I remember texting a friend while I was at Austin City Limits, a festival I grew up attending, saying I wanted to be on that stage someday. A few years later, I was performing on the main stage in front of 50,000 people. That was my Super Bowl.
How would you describe the band’s music genre?
It’s feel-good music. We blend various genres, making it hard to define. I draw inspiration from rock legends like Jack Johnson, Jimmy Buffett and Elton John. I’d like to think our music nods to a variety of genres though, like a big mixing pot.
What was it like working with one of your inspirations, Elton John?
While rehearsing for “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” we accidentally started writing a new song. It had a light, happy jingle, and our managers asked if they could send it around while it was still in progress. They called us later, being cryptic, and revealed that Elton John loved the song and wanted to work with us. He was in Australia and couldn’t stop listening to “Sunday Best.” Collaborating with him led to “Learn to Fly,” and it was a dream come true.
Photo provided by Colin Padalecki ’20
Tell us about your music writing process.
It’s like a stream of consciousness. I rarely have the lyrics before the composition. I play the guitar, feel the chord progression and let my head follow the music. I start humming and mumbling nonsense, which somehow turns into words within a few minutes. There’s nothing like the feeling of finding a melody organically.
Where did the name “Surfaces” come from?
I saw a piece of art that revealed a second design when flipped over, and I liked the idea of discovering more beyond the surface of the piece. I design all our album art and always want it to look like a mural on a wall. Our album covers have a textured, one-dimensional look, but the color gives the art meaning, creating a little universe. Similarly, we want our music to be enjoyed beyond the initial impression, beyond the surface.
What are some favorite Aggieland memories?
Not many people know this, but I used to DJ as a student. While on the track team, I’d DJ until 2 a.m. and go to track practice at 6 a.m. My coaches called me “sleepy” because I was always tired, juggling it all, but I loved doing that. Another favorite of mine was when I got the call in 2023 to write and produce the Aggie football intro song. One of our first gigs was playing the Pepsi pre-game show in front of Kyle Field, so it was a cool full-circle moment getting to create that.
Cheer on Aggie artists: The College of Performance, Visualization and Fine Arts aims to help more Aggie musicians like Colin pursue their music passions. Contact Heather Sauber ’99
Photo by Josh Huskin
Padalecki is one-half of the popular music duo Surfaces. Known for hits like "Sunday Best," Surfaces has charted on Billboard Hot 100 and released six studio albums.
