The Waterford Landing

The Waterford Landing originated in 1997 as a side project for members Richard Rippe (electric bass, synthesizers, & vocals) and Ed Matus (electric guitar, synthesizers, & vocals), both veterans of the Miami music scene. The main source of inspiration behind The Waterford Landing sprang from 1980's new wave acts like OMD, Ultravox, and New Order, as well as contemporary artists such as The Magnetic Fields.

After recording two songs as a duo, Rippe and Matus recruited their friend and former band mate from The Love '94, Alex Caso. Caso was also a long-time fixture of the local music scene and shared many of the same interests and sensibilities as Rippe and Matus. Even as all three members were focusing on solo pursuits, they slowly added to the future repertoire of The Waterford Landing until—after four years—they had essentially completed a full-length demo album. In 2004, once free of their individual pursuits, they began refining and re-recording the songs from the demo, and the result was The Waterford Landing's self-titled debut.

The Waterford Landing's debut album earned the band instant acclaim by fans and critics alike. The Miami New Times awarded The Waterford Landing three awards including Personal Best of 2005, Best Local Electronica Artist of 2005, and Readers' Choice Best Local Pop Band of 2005. Though the overall aesthetic of the music can be described as modern electronic pop, the multilayered and careful production yields a more subversive element that keeps listeners returning for more. Songs like "Arbor" shuffle along to an effected samba beat accompanied by swirling synths, obscure background noises and abrasive lyrical content. "The Girls of Saga Bay" exhibits the dreamy and infectiously danceable side of The Waterford Landing, while songs like "Peppermill" and "Sunset Landing" showcase the group's talent for creating vast sonic landscapes that remain melodic and memorable.

Following the release of the band's first album, The Waterford Landing recruited Neil Rippe as a full time member of the group to play synths and live drums. Since then, the live dimension of The Waterford Landing has evolved into a new style, garnering the group a reputation for being a vibrant and energetic live act. Not only are they able to recreate the dense layers that give their music its very distinct sound, but they also manage to bring new perspectives to their studio cuts. As a result, the group was awarded Best Pop Band of 2006 by the Miami New Times, this being their fourth "Best Of" award in 2 years.

In 2006, the group began preproduction on the follow up to their successful debut. Currently, The Waterford Landing is in the studio recording their new full-length album, as well as two E.P. projects, all of which are scheduled for release in the fall of 2007.