The Golden Dregs

“We’ve been dying to meet you,” Ben Woods sings on “Linoleum”, the lead single from Godspeed, album number four for The Golden Dregs. This rousing greeting doubles as a mission statement for the project. What began as a solo endeavour, based around Woods’ songwriting and resonant baritone, has grown into a six-member ensemble, each artist deeply rooted in London’s grassroots music scene.  

Last year, that connection with the DIY routes scene has blossomed further into a new record label Joy of Life International that has put out records from like minded songwriters such as Othis, Al Cologne, Lichen and Perfect Binding, as well as setting out on label fronted tours with special guests such as Sophie Jameson and Dana Gavanski.   

“Songs are such a precious commodity. This label has been established out of necessity, to create a space in which these songs, and the songs of other writers that I admire, may be platformed and encouraged and celebrated. It also provides a release avenue for some of the artists that I produce, a sort of farm to table approach to music making.” 

Founded and run by Woods himself, the new imprint is also home to The Golden Dregs’ own music, including 2025’s Godspeed, and this year’s In The Company of Strangers; 2015-2025 Revisited, an album of reworks and stripped back revisions from tracks across their catalogue.