Woodbeez takes you to Los Angeles in the mid-'70s and early '80s, a time when the sun seemed to shine just a little brighter there. It was an era when artists like the Pages, Michael McDonald, the Doobie Brothers, and Steely Dan shaped a sound with relaxed grooves, sophisticated harmonies, and smooth melodies. Decades later, this style was rediscovered and dubbed "Yacht Rock," referencing the easygoing West Coast vibe.
The influences are unmistakable: the warm sound of the Fender Rhodes, the rich horn arrangements, and the soulful vocals. But Woodbeez don’t just indulge in nostalgia. With a deep understanding of the genre and a refined musical taste, they blend R&B elements with pop melodies that are truly timeless. Taking winding musical side roads, they always find their way back to the diverse soundscape of the present.
And for Woodbeez, that present began in 2021 when bandleader Ritchie Staringer sought a creative balance to his secluded studio work as a film composer. His initial idea—to reconnect with his early musical heroes through songwriting—gradually evolved into an ambitious project: bringing the L.A. sound back to the stage, together with like-minded musicians and vocalists.
The pandemic initially put their plans on hold, but after releasing their first EP in 2022, the band is now set to launch their debut LP, Pony Love, in March 2025—followed, at long last, by live performances.
Woodbeez is:
- Ritchie Staringer – Keyboards
- Rafiandi Giri – Vocals
- Tobi Reckfort – Drums
- Jacco Herhaus – Bass
- Johann Horst - Guitar
