Our STORY

The Rhythm Industrial Complex is a Santa Barbara–based ensemble rooted in rhythm-forward global dance music, blending afrobeat, funk, reggae, highlife, and West African pop influences into a sound designed for dancing.

The group was founded by Nick Ragheb after he returned to Santa Barbara following several years living and working in the West African island nation of Cabo Verde. While there, Nick served as the director of a university music program and performed with local bands, developing a deeper relationship with musical traditions that remain underrepresented in Southern California. TRIC emerged from his desire to continue that exploration through collaborations with local artists, first coming together for a live debut at Buena Onda in January 2024.

At the core of the band is a powerful percussion section led by Sharin Kurstin and Adam Cote, both central figures in Santa Barbara’s traditional West African drum and dance community. They are joined by Eric Ederer, a prolific multi-instrumentalist and music scholar who anchors the group on bass.

The band also features vocalists Adele Kurstin and Simone Temkin-Wilcox, whose experience across North American and West African music and dance traditions adds depth, power, and range to the group’s signature sound.

TRIC’s early sound was shaped in part by guitarist Paul Wilcox, also known as Yogi Mango, a deeply respected presence in the local music scene. Paul passed away in July 2025 after a battle with cancer, but his musicianship and spirit remain an enduring part of the band’s foundation. Following his passing, guitarist Kris Ehrman joined the group, bringing a fresh voice while honoring the ethos Paul helped establish. The lineup continued to evolve later that year with the addition of alto saxophonist Michael Schramm, further expanding the band’s musical dynamism.