Seabra Is Mad


"Seabra Is Mad" is a 1997 drum and bass-alternative rock story song by Californian lyricist/vocalist Ithaka. The song was released as the first single from his second studio album Stellafly. Recorded in Portugal, it was produced by Joe Fossard featuring Ewan Butler on guitar and Sergio Nascimento on the chorus drums.
Lyrically it depicts a near death experience with real life surfing legend Jose Seabra in giant seas of the then unknown waves of Portugal. Portugal has since become recognized as one of the world's premier big wave surfing locations.

Awards and accolades

"Seabra Is Mad" was nominated for both Song and Video of the Year in 1997 by the Blitz Magazine Awards in Portugal; the prestigious national newspaper Público awarded it Song of the Year and Video of the Year; and Ithaka named it one of the Personalities of the Year, calling it the country's "most powerful and consistent release" of 1997.

Music video

The video, directed by Nuno Franco in Portugal, features Ithaka wearing a real octopus as a head dress.

Cover art

The front and back cover images of Seabra Is Mad were made by photographer Don Weinstein in Los Angeles and features portraits of Ithaka with his reincarnated sculpture work.

In popular culture

This song is featured in the soundtrack of NBA 2K7 from the No. 1-rated basketball video game series produced by 2K. In addition, a mix entitled Retro SoCal also appeared in the surfing documentary, Chasing the Lotus, directed by Gregory Schelle.''

Versions and remixes

The original cd single of Seabra Is Mad also included an Instrumental Version of the song as well as an Amazonian Version. In 1998 the Rockhead Mix version produced by Joe Fossard was included on Ithaka's three-song release "Escape" for Nortesul Records/ Valentim de Carvalho. Ithaka entirely rerecorded his vocal for the song.
Musicians include Adriano João, Ewan Butler and Sergio Nascimento.