WOUTER MARITZ - WHERE THE MUSIC LEADS

WHEN THE MUSIC LEADS

WOUTER 'PLAYS' THE WAY 

by RubySage

31 July 2026

  WOUTER MARITZ 

HEADLINE AND LEAVING LA 

Widely recognized as a talented local musician, and sharing the stage with the likes of Mark Beling and Kevin Crous, to name but a few, Wouter Maritz is not just a pretty face but a rock legend in and around our local live music scene.  

He is the drummer for leading party band, Headline, who are embarking on a nation wide tour at the end of this year, and bassist for the ‘coolest of the cool kids club in bands’, Leaving L.A, (yes, I know I might be ever so slightly bias on this one) this multi-talented muso is as unsuspecting as the come!

 

Wouter, who is  a boiler maker by trade and currently works in construction, was the founder of the Krugersdorp-based, music institute namely, Overtone, during  pre-covid days.  He is, by far, a musician extraordinaire and I can motivate this statement with facts.  

For starters… he plays in a band with me - so he is - along with my other band mates, very brave and equally as awesome !  Secondly, he is a songwriter of the likes that I’ve seldom seen before.  He can evoke any emotion he deems fit with his soul stirring melodies and carefully selected words, gently strung together meticulously, creating nostalgic reflections and heartfelt stories - the perfect recipe to deliver memory making moments, simply with a song.  And I say simply, because he does make it look effortless, regardless of it being so or not.

And last, but not least, a nicer, humble,  more authentic and decent, stand -up man you'll be hard to find.  - then there is the added extra bonus of his jovial mannerismn.  Never in short supply of quirky or funny sayings and stories, there is never a dull moment with  Wouter around.  

 He comes across as cool as a cucumber and nonchalant, or the regular jester most other times.  But the truth is, as with any artist worth his weight in gold, there is a certain depth to Wouter that probably surprises even himself. But one thing is for certain, he WILL rock your socks off at just about any show at any place…with anyone...pretty much anytime and playing pretty much anything

 This, in my humble and completely novice opinion, is because he IS the music.  He doesn’t just hear it, play it or even,  simply put, feel it….he becomes it.  Sharing a stage with him and the rest of my Leaving LA family has become one of the better experiences I’ve had since my humble beginnings in the scene and is, for sure, MY own bragging right.

Delve deeper with me and read on.  I this Q&A between Wouter and myself, you're bound to find a few interesting facts and a thing or two you could take away from it. Either way, you'll find this interesting and  hugely informative, to say the very least.

 

1.  Q: Who are you, on and off the stage? (tell your story).

A: I'm a peaceful creature, some would call me a creature of habit.... I also never stop making jokes- even when I’m alone.

 

     2. Q: Tell us about your very latest song released and the story/message behind it.

A: Our latest release, is a cover version of Endless road by Time bandits.  It's an informal project that we are launching and recording from home as a raw  production.  We don't worry about glitches or squeaky clean points, we are a band,  and there will be some work here and there. What we want is for our listeners to feel that their requests are heard.  We  might not be able to  play them all on stage, but they do still have a place.  Our aim right now is to release one song a week until the complete album is done - we are also working on a absolute killer (original) track, namely,’Farewell’, which is also what we’ve named our upcoming tour in December.  Farewell will be released in September and I can't wait to hear what folks have to say about it!  It is  a story … a scenario and it was well timed and works  perfectly with a recent heartbreak, one that was never planned for or even thought of.  I guess I saw the end before the beginning.

    3. Q: What was the first instrument you learnt how to play? And at what age?

A:  The first instrument I learnt to play was the  guitar at the age of 6.

    4. What instruments do you play today and what is your instrument of choice?

A:  I play the guitar,drums,bass, piano, organ, harmonica, concertina and can help myself on a few wind instruments as well, but nothing too flashy.

    5. Q:  If your instrument of choice could talk, what's the first thing it would complain about?

A:  I would say, rough traveling.  I am a little hard on gear, or at least was, I am getting better in that regard.

    6. What is your favourite sound unrelated to music?

A:  To be honest.... a proper old school Ford V6.

 

7. Q: You are an amazing  songwriter... (I know.. I've heard a few of your songs..) How would you describe the music that you typically create? And what does your creative writing process look like?

A:  I would say I try to create something that folks might see things from my point of view.   I also like to hide the message within the lyrics, leaving them guessing.   And then also with a great hook, that gives them something to think about....

In terms of my writing  process....I don’t really have one,  it just happens.

 

8. Q: What advice would you give new musicians just starting out in the scene?

A:  Keep moving forward, it's the only way you won't rust!

9. Q: Growing up, who were your musical influences?

A: As a youngster, KISS was the ultimate, for me.  But  I have grown fond of the musical aspect of bands such as ABBA, for instance.  They are simply amazing with their arrangements aspect in the music.  And I’ve  always been a huge lover of Nickelback.

10.  What is one message you would give to your fans?

A: A big thank you for every single share, like and show you attend.... even if you think we don't see it.... we do and we appreciated it!

11. Q: What is one useless talent you have?

A: I don’t know if it’s a talent…but I make ‘noises’… even when I'm alone.

12.Q:  Do you sing in the shower? if so What songs?

A:  I do have my days, yes.  And will pin it down to one song, it will be, soak up the sun

13. Q: Share one fact about you that we don't know AND/OR one embarrassing moment.

A: In a band I was playing with, we drove over another member…by accident, obviously… he was okay, thought

14. Q: Bragging rights... They go here…

A:  I have won some awards for songs I've written for local singers, and have been on major productions like Skouspel 2011.  I  was also a drummer at the Barnyard theatre.

 

15. Your band, Headline, is about to set off on its second tour... Tell us a bit about that.

A: The Farewell tour. It is also the title of our new upcoming single.  This tour is arranged by us directly and we have amazing venues lined up with an amazing set list that will be posted soon. The Farewell tour is about letting go of the past and moving forward and the hurdles you may find in doing so. However, we still want the grass route  experience …with the audience all up in our faces etc

16.  Describe what it would be like touring with you ?

A: Interesting

17. How do you feel AI has impacted the music business?
A:  AI is a wonderful tool, but I think people have managed to misuse it and therefore created a global hate for the tool.  I'm not a fan of using it to write but rather to listen as i can alternate between genres finding a fit for musi.

18. What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into?

A: When my parents caught me smoking cigarettes

19. What is a piece of advise a musician  gave you, that you wish you had followed?

A:  Practice every day for 10 min- Lucas Maree

20. Q: If you could change anything about the local live music scene / industry, what would it be?

A: To have more bands and encourage patrons to support it more.

Bonus question.

21. The band  'Headline' is Leaving La's sister band... ? What is it like being in a band with Ruby?  ( ** wink wink - nudge nudge **)


A:  This was a project I roped into by chance, by my guitarist Michael Wickham, and his father, Gavin, Leaving L.A’s founder.  (*For this, Ruby is also really glad!*)  I am enjoying my experience with Leaving L.A.  They just need to get on the road more .... but you never know what lies ahead - it might just get busy…

 

 Catch the full Ruby's Review and #jollingwithseanmcbride show on Burg.studio.online here: 

https://musiciansdomain.com/activity/p/8298/