For the Album " Take this Moment... "
by Will West & The Friendly Strangers
Track 1 ~ "Understand" is featured on the
KINK fm101.9 Locals Only Volume 4
~ Summer 2011
Songs "Understand" & "New Shoes"
have both been featured as KINK FM Local Spotlights in Portland.
"New Shoes" & "A New Day" are featured on the soundtrack of the movie Bucksville, by Portland Director Chel White. Currently screening in Film Festivals across the US.
Nominated for Album of the Year
by the 2012 Portland Music Awards!
"Fine stuff, like the delicate 'In a Dream', which contains an old-time country gospel feel. And there's the hollow-log swamp of 'Banjo Groove' and the lilting bluegrass and call-and-response of 'Everytime'. The Friendly Strangers are a formidable ensemble, boasting fiddles, banjos and mandolins, all guided by West's casual ringleading."
- Up &
Coming! - Portland Mercury
"Singer-Songwriter Will West is Oregon-based, but Carolina born, and you can hear it in the warm, charming lilt of his easy going acoustic songs. West's tunes are probably best described as Folk, but can definitely hear some Southern Blues & Bluegrass influence in there, too."
- Ben Salmon - Bend Bulletin
"West's music is an eclectic mix of folk, Americana, country, and the occasional pop number. The title track of his most recent album, "Take this Moment," is an upbeat, country style song that virtually begs the listener to get up and dance."
- Suzanne Krause - Astoria Live Music Examiner
For the locally released album "To Inspire"
by Will West live & lo-fi
"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 (April 2009)
Song 1 ~ "To Inspire" was featured as KZME's song of the week
in April of 2010.
"Sunny Daze" ~ was featured on KINK fm102 Locals Only Volume 3
"Better Day, Sunny Daze, & Rose City" were featured on various KINK fm 102 Local Spotlights
"Rose City" was featured on Get Local ~ KNRK 94.7
"He incorporates
rootsy, acoustic folk with a bluesy, almost hip-hop-like sense of rhythm.
West is a funky, acoustic pop songsmith with a flare for lyricism and
rich melodies."
- Matthew Godbey
- Post & Courier (Charleston, SC)
"West's clean
guitar and polished voice feel like warm sunshine through a car window."
- Andrew Richkey
- Independent Weekly (Raleigh, NC)
"He brings
smoothness to the singer/songwriter genre that creates something a bit
more transitory than simple emotive storytelling. West uses a blend
of acoustic folk, alternative country, bluegrass, and even a bit of
blues to create a very original sound I can honestly say I've never
encountered before. From start to finish, the way West brings these
sounds together with his comforting vocals is nothing short of magic."
- Thomas Szewc - Indie-Music.com
"Comfort &
Soul. The versatility is only part of what makes his music intriguing.
West makes his music accessible to the listener on multiple levels.
His voice is familiar, like he is singing only to the ears who hear
him. Yet his music, the folk and bluegrass roots, have listeners tapping
their feet and nodding their heads."
- Angela Cruz - Encore
Magazine (Wilmington, NC)
"A Rhythmic
adventure... a light rail through beat town... you just may get distracted
and miss your stop."
- Henry Hallet -
host of Simple Folk KXCI fm91.3
(Tucson, AZ)
“Uplifting.
A warm, comfortable sound. ”
- Beth Clyman - KINK
fm101.9 Local Spotlight (Portland, OR)
" 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... Will West meets in the middle"
- Shea Carver - Encore Magazine
(click for full interview)
For Live Performances
“A favorite
of those Delta Blues/Folk lovin' Types. Never performing a song the
same way twice. This crooner is a storyteller with a soft touch. Check
him out. ”
- Headout - Willamette
Week (March 2004)
For the Album - Reconstruction (Jan 2004)
Nominated for Male Artist of the Year
"Razor's Edge" - Nominated for Song of the Year
" 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 (click for full interview)
“ Crisp & Calming...
a meditative Ani DiFranco / Dave Matthews lovechild.”
- Music Liberation
Project (Portland,
OR)
“His music is energizing
and very pure.Will West succeeds on this album to absorb a listener
into moody and soulfully created compositions. ”
- Henk te Veldhuis - Bridge Guitar Reviews