The Western States add the Cosmic American element to Winnipeg Manitoba’s thriving roots music scene. The band’s sound follows a path through latter-day America, making stops at Gram Parsons country rock, and Neil Young's singer/songwriter americana along the way.
Initially formed in 2002, original members Sean Buchanan (vocals and guitar), Nicole Marion (guitar, vocals), Ashley Roch (Piano, Organ, Vocals) Jared Plummer (drums) and Keli Martin (bass) started developing their sound by letting the songs be built from the ground up.
The Western States have quickly been embraced by Winnipeg's strong roots, Americana and indie scenes opening for the likes of the Weakerthans, Fiest, Nathan, The D Rangers, The Perpetrators, Julie Doiron, Christine Fellows, and Radiogram. Like most roots bands in Winnipeg, The Western States call The High and Lonesome club home, and can be seen taking the stage on a regular basis.
In 2007, the band released their debut self-titled album on Dollartone Records. The album features guest musicians including Chris Carmichael (Romi Mayes), Bill Western (Nathan), The D Rangers, and Producer/Musician Gurf Morlix (Lucinda Williams). The album reached 1 on the national College radio Folk/Roots charts, and the band was voted best new band in Winnipeg by Uptown Magazine.
For the bands forthcoming second album, they travelled to Austin, Texas to record at Bruce Robison's Premium Recording Studio. The album was tracked live to tape, with no digital effects or computer programs. The result is "Bye and Bye", set for release in early 2009.
Just a reminder to listen to our ALL WINNIPEG SPECIAL featuring THE WESTERN STATES on THIS GREAT WHITE NORTH. It's an ALL CANADIAN music show FRIDAYS 4:30-6pm CST on 91.7 KOOP FM in Austin, Texas. You can listen online at www.KOOP.org.
Just a reminder to listen to BRAND NEW MUSIC FROM THE WESTERN STATES on THIS GREAT WHITE NORTH. It's an ALL CANADIAN music show FRIDAYS 4:30-6pm CST on 91.7 KOOP FM in Austin, Texas. You can listen online at www.KOOP.org.
Hey Sean! Good to hear from you!!! I hope all is well with you! That was a really fun day in the studio with you! Hope our paths cross again! Best, Katy
Hey – just a reminder to listen in FRIDAY afternoon at 4:30-6 pm CST to hear THE WESTERN STATES on “This Great White North” an ALL CANADIAN music show from Austin, Texas It’s on 91. 7 KOOP-FM Listen here
I'm actually from Winnipeg, but living in Edmonton the past few years. My only encounter with you folks was when you opened for Julie Doiron and Feist at the Juno's years back. Evidently you have the - how you say - "golden touch", as your music has stuck with me all this time since then. Keep at it...
