Described as everything from indie-roots to chamber-folk, West My Friend's acoustic blend of instruments and four-part harmonies challenges the conventions of popular music to create a performance that is both engaging and innovative. Songs are created through a collaborative process: well-crafted and clever lyrics, acrobatic mandolin riffs, flawless bass lines, and richly textured accordion combine as every member brings forward their own ideas and experiences. The wealth of musical experience and classical training in the group creates an interesting backdrop for their songwriting, allowing for levels of detail, intricacy, and counterpoint balanced with moments of simplicity. This sonically adventurous approach to music defines West My Friend as a key part of a growing movement of the new generation of grass-roots folk music taking place in Victoria, Vancouver and across British Columbia.
Scheduled for release in the spring of 2012, their album “Place” is a significant step forward for the band. The group’s collaboration with producer Adrian Dolan (The Bills, Mark Atkinson) and Juno-Award winner David Travers-Smith (The Wailin’ Jennys, Oh Susannah) is providing a strong underpinning of experience in folk-roots music for this up and coming band. Brad Edwards of playinvictoria.net states that "West My Friend offers a sound of true Canadiana achieved via extraordinary musicianship. Eden Oliver's vocals are powerfully eclectic, bridging the gap between east coast Cape Breton and Vancouver Island."
West My Friend "provides a great outing on their first full length album [...], drawing inspiration from many different styles and showing off their ability to create lush indie, emotional folk, with a bit of roots-twang here and there. The upbeat and downbeat tracks provide a fantastic contrast in sounds that the classically trained band is able to produce. If you wish Mumford and Sons had an accordion and a female lead singer, West My Friend is the band for you" (Jason Stasiuk).
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