The Golden Dregs

Founded in Falmouth, Cornwall, in 2013, The Golden Dregs is the project of Benjamin Woods, a songwriter and producer currently residing in South London. From bleakly baritone one-man-band to an all–singing–all–dancing seven-piece, The Golden Dregs can take many forms – but is always underpinned by Wood’s lyrical prowess and distinctive point of view, as observed across his four album to dates; Lafayette (2018), Hope Is For The Hopeless (2019), On Grace & Dignity (2023) and Godspeed (2025).

The Golden Dregs’ fourth album saw Woods return his attention to London; where On Grace & Dignity (4AD) held up a light to and lamented a certain kind of rural experience based on Woods’ hometown in Cornwall, Godspeed narrates the high highs and low lows of urban living. The hooks are constant — hear “Perfume”, “The Company of Strangers”, Stranglers-esque cut “If You’d Seen Him” — but rarely resort to familiar tropes, leaving room for unpredictable turns. This assuredness is given further weight by the fact that Woods’ own label Joy of Life International (an imprint of and collaboration with End of the Road Records) will release the album: a statement of independence and creative intent.

The years between albums have seen The Golden Dregs develop as a live force, from taking SXSW 2023 by storm with five performances (including a slot at Willie Nelson’s infamous ranch), to support slots with Future Islands, Ezra Furman, Katy J Pearson and Field Music, as well as a residency at London’s buzziest venue The George Tavern.

Outside of The Golden Dregs, Woods is a talented producer, drummer and songwriter contributing to projects from Anna B Savage, Caroline, Penelope Isles, Terra Twin, Scott Lavene, Sculpture Park, Vogues, Expiry and more, as well as working on projects for film and tv.

“What The Golden Dregs present is the un-gilded truth, however; songs of working-class life in the peripheries, On Grace & Dignity is both beautiful and caustic, its unrelenting commitment to honesty both shocking and entrancing.” – Clash

“Understated warmth and beauty.” – Stereogum

“Bashed and bruised fireside sing-alongs spiked with yearning and melancholy… dispatched with substance and soul.” – MOJO