-- 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 .... )

 

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)

 

--------------------------------------------

" 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

 

 

--------------------------------------------