Hey Friends... Now it's OurSpace. I was born, William West in Charleston, SC in the late 70's of last century. Also spent many of my early days in Nash County, North Carolina -- Go Firebirds !!!
My father was a fiddle player & I first picked up the guitar when I was 11. Heavy Metal, Old Blues, & my folk's big record collection were some of my early inspirations. I began songwriting & hitting open-mic's during my college years at UNC. Go Tarheels !!! Drove cross country with a handful of original songs to Portland, Oregon in the summer of 2002... The Rose City. I perform around town solo & with variations of a band. I've also hosted various songwriter's showcases, featuring some of Portland's finest players over the past couple of years...
We've put together 3 east coast tours over the past year promoting the album -- SHINE. Performing at some of these cool places & cities: Smith's Olde Bar (Atlanta, GA) Flicker Theatre (Athens, GA) The Village Tavern (Charleston, SC) Iota Club & Cafe (Arlington, VA) The Berkeley Cafe (Raleigh, NC) The Cave (Chapel Hill) Hell's Kitchen (Wilmington, NC) The Nash Arts Center (Nashville, NC) The Evening Music (Charlotte, NC) The Living Room (NYC) I'll be spending much of the 2008 Summer months working on my next album. This will be quite a process & I'm really excited about it. I love to perform, record, & collaborate. So swing by a show & say hello... Every show is different & the songs evolve & change... It's all about the vibe and we try to have fun !!!
here are some nice people's words...."Comfort & Soul" Angela Cruz - Encore Magazine (Wilmington, NC) "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 Ritchey - Independent Weekly (Raleigh, NC)
"A Rhythmic adventure... a light rail through beat town... you just may get distracted and miss your stop.". Henry Hallet of 'SIMPLE FOLK' on KXCI 91.3 (Tucson, AZ)
" He brings smoothness to the singer/songwriter genre that creates something a bit more transitory than simple emotive storytelling." Thomas D. Szewc - Indie-Music.com
"Uplifting. A great, warm sound." Beth Clyman - KINK fm102 (Portland, OR) " The introspective, folk singer uses a vodka voice to infuse his music with an intimate familiarity." Jade Walker - Siren Song Magazine (Seattle, WA)
" the Northwest or Southeast? ...the beauty that merges between the regions comes in the form of music. " Shea Carver - Encore Magazine (Wilmington, NC)
"Will West has been a local favorite to those Delta blues-style folk-lovin' types. Never performing a song the same way twice, this crooner is a storyteller with a soft touch. While his preference to "feel out" his audience might make you feel violated, there's no need to worry since there's a guitar and a spool of yarns between the two of you.... check him out." headout -- Willamette Week (Portland, Oregon)
"crisp & calming... meditative Ani Difranco/Dave Matthews-lovechild" Music Liberation Project (Portland, Oregon) "his music is energizing and very pure." Bridge Guitar Review --------------------------------
The album "SHINE" is available at shows and can be ordered online...
use the CDBABY LINK for WILL WEST: Shine
And now SHINE is available on:
iTunes
SHINE was recorded at 8-Ball Studio with Rob Stroup in Portland, Oregon during the Spring & Summer of 2006.
Featuring: Bob Soper (fiddle & djembe') Noah Peterson (Soprano Sax) Rob Stroup (Bass, Drums, Guitar) and Jess Kreider on guest vocals.
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