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*

............Performer/Songwriter Will West



A Brief Bio:

-- Carolina born songwriter Will West has been living & performing in the Pacific Northwest (Portland Oregon) since the summer of 2002.

"Big Love to Nash County -- Go Firebirds !! & Chapel Hill.... Go Heels !!!"
-ww

West released his first studio album called "SHINE" in April of 2007. Recorded at 8 Ball Studio with Rob Stroup in Portland, Oregon.
"Better Day" was featured twice on KINK FM 102 Local Spotlight.
"Rose City" was featured on Get Local on FM94.7 KNRK



Recently a new album:
"To Inspire" (a collection of live studio recordings & home studio sessions) was released locally in June of 2009. Featuring members of the Friendly Strangers. The album touches on Old Time Folk, Roots & Progressive Americiana.

"he hails from North Carolina, and his laidback acoustic tunesmithing has a distinctly Southern flair. West is at his best at his most rustic—whenever he strays away from the rootsier side, things can get a little white-boy funky, or even new age jazzy"
- Up & Coming! - Portland Mercury (Portland, OR )

The album is available at live shows & events....



You can find Will West performing at wide range of lounges & clubs in the Portland area. Sharing intimate evenings with songwriters at showcases around the city.

Or you can catch him performing with variations of a band called:


The Friendly Strangers

Current performers include:
Drew Norman - banjo & slide guitar
Noah Peterson - soprano sax

Bob Soper -fiddle & djembe'
Sean Hudson - upright bass
Skip vonKuske - cello
Tanner Cundy - guitar
Ji Tanzer - drums & percussion
Salim Sanchez - percussion
Benjamin Dewey - slide guitar
& other special guests....


Style: Improv Folk, Roots, & Cozy Americana...
( we call it Smooth, Groove, Roots .... )




" the Northwest or Southeast? ...the beauty that merges between the regions comes in the form of music. Sounds of sultry guitar riffs and laid-back vibes... "
- Shea Carver - Encore Magazine

 

Outside the Pacific Northwest....Will West has toured the East Coast several times since the release of the Shine album.
Some venues & notable performances:

Iota Cafe (arlington, va)
Nash Arts Center (nashville, nc)
The Living Room (new york)
Smith's Olde Bar (atlanta, ga)
Eddie's Attic - 2 time open-mic finalist (decatur, ga)
Flicker Theatre (athens, ga)
Low Country Live - ABC CH 4
(charleston, sc)

Village Tavern (charleston, sc)
Blue Plate Special - WDVX (knoxville, tn)
Bobo Gallery (ashevile, nc)

The Cave (chapel hill, nc)
The Evening Muse (charlotte, nc)

 

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" The introspective, folk singer uses a vodka voice to infuse his music with an intimate familiarity. His poetic, crossroads commentary is ideally suited to the acoustic guitar.. ."
- Jade Walker - Siren Song Magazine

“a favorite of those delta-blues/folk lovin' types. This crooner is a storyteller with a soft touch. Check him out. ”
- headout - Willamette Week

 

 

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 !    Upcoming & Recent • News & Info

Weekly Gigs & Events

Thursdays
White Eagle Saloon
836 N Russell
Portland, OR

"Eagle Time" w/ The Friendly Strangers
a different line-up each week

5:30-7:30pm * all ages & free


we hope to see you !!

view full performance Calendar ...


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Local News:

Will West was nominated for:
"Best Male Artist"

by the:

2010 Portland Music Awards
(Thanks to everyone who voted!!)


Album News:

The collection called:
"To Inspire"

(
available only at live events)
is back in stock !!!


If you are outside the Portland area and are interested in a copy ... email us !!
...
Thanks for the support !!

Back in the Studio:
We are working on material for a new Friendly Strangers EP due out later this Spring 2010. More info soon....

 


Tour News:

Keep an eye on the Calendar for updates on the Spring 2010 East Coast tour.

Will West was on the road in November 2009 for a short tour through North Carolina with stops in Chapel Hill & Nashville.

The Friendly Strangers were on the road in mid-August 2009...
2500 Miles in 10 days... Stops in Spokane, WA, Twin Falls, Idaho and all over Montana -- Billings, Missoula, Whitefish & Babb !!!



Extras:

"Sunny Daze" from the SHINE album is looking good on the GarageBand charts...

 

SHINE is available on:
iTunes

'thanks for supporting independent music'

 

 

Read More...
a few recommendations..

Zen Guitar - Phillip Sudo
A Clash of Kings - George R. R. Martin
Stranger in a Strange Land - Robert Heinlein
Dune - Frank Herbert
Hyperion - Dan Simmons

 

Recent listens...

mermaid ave - Billy Bragg/Wilco
rising down - The Roots
the best of - Muddy Waters
post-war - M Ward
security - Antibalas
midnight vultures - Beck
solace - Xavier Rudd
in rainbows - Radiohead

 


   

©2003-2010 WillWestMusic -- email: willwestmusic@hotmail.com Modern • Acoustic • Folk • Roots • Vibes