Los Angeles-based Indie funk outfit Maffa Rico formed in 2011 around the groove-centric basement jam sessions of singer/guitarist Bradley Giroux, bassist Pat Berthiaume, and drummer Quinn Wholean. Then living in Madison, WI, the trio cut their teeth playing clubs around the Midwest. A move to California in 2014 brought a lineup change with the addition of Sam Morgan on saxophone, and rotating members on bass, keyboards and drums.


Giroux brings three years’ of experience as an assistant engineer at Henson Studios to the band, producing all their recordings, spanning two EPs and 2014’s lush concept album, The Pink Hotel. Equally indebted to the punk funk of the Red Hot Chili Peppers as the Afrobeat rhythms of Fela Kuti, Maffa Rico aim to paint the colors of a beautifully baked sunset with their music.


Their forthcoming sophomore album Bohemian Blonde was partially born from a period of intense uncertainty, as Giroux briefly moved back to Wisconsin in the winter of 2019 and considered dissolving the group. A new job opportunity, a change of heart, and months of sun-drenched songwriting sessions resulted in Maffa Rico’s most mature sounding work to date. Shifting from the jam-oriented approach of prior releases to a more traditional and meticulous style of songwriting, the band has put forth a coming-of-age meditation on how to remain grounded in our increasingly strange and turbulent times. - Clark Gapen