Rock/Americana singer-songwriter Kevin West has released his latest collection of tracks, the 6-song EP "Story Of My Life". West's music is characterized by an unpretentious, heart-on-the-sleeve quality in it's lyrics and performance and a Statesman's charisma on the mic. This marks his 5th studio album since 2001.
From the artist: My songs are about my real life experiences and I think that gives it an honest quality people can relate to. The level of musicianship on THIS project is the best I have achieved so far in this long life of music I have been living.Release Info
Artist Name: Kevin West
Location: Los Angeles CA / Charleston SC
Release Name: Story Of My Life
Release Date: Jun 15, 2019
Label: Independent
Producer: Kevin West and Lee Barbour
Track List:
1. Best Of Mine
2. One Too Many
3. My Only Sunshine
4. Sweet Innocence
5. Story Of My Life
6. Not For Nothin
Musicians:
Kevin West: Vocals, Electric and Acoustic Guitars
Markus Helander: Drums
Brett Belanger: Electric and Acoustic Bass
Whitt Algar: Piano and Keyboard
Jeff Caldwell: Electric Guitar
Whitney Hanna: Vocals
Steven Sandifer: Percussion
Quentin E. Baxter: Drums
Kevin Hamilton: Bass
Lee Barbour: Electric Guitar
Charlton Singleton: Trumpet
Mark Sterbank: Saxophone
Jonathan Lovett: Keyboard
Styles: Americana, Rock, Jazz
Similar To: Lou Reed, Dave Matthews, Jack White, Brian Wilson, Leonard Cohen, Peter Gabriel, David Bowie
Artist Biography
Kevin West (1st prize winner of American Songwriter Magazine's lyric contest July/August 2006), is a throwback Singer-songwriter/ Guitar player in Los Angeles CA. . Playing guitar and singing since a child, Kevin has studied many styles of music including Blues, Hard Rock, Metal and Hip-Hop. He also studied Jazz at the College of Charleston, South Carolina. And recently Kevin West graduated with honors in March 2019 from Musicians Institute in Hollywood California.
Born in San Diego CA. and raised in northern New Jersey, Kevin West grew up in a lower middle class blue collar environment which is often reflected in his lyrics. His writing tells stories about living in the real world and how rough it can be, though sometimes using humor to make his point. Living and performing in Charleston SC for a number of years and now in LA, Kevin has played in many bands with numerous musicians, on just about every stage in Charleston from the famed Music Farm or The Wind Jammer, opening for national acts like Rehab, Afro Man, Long Beach Dub All Stars/Short Bus and Kevin Kinney (Just to name a few) to doing acoustic sets at intimate venues downtown and on the beaches.
Big show or small, Kevin's love for the music is easy to see in every performance. Charleston is not the only city where West has done his act. In Los Angeles Kevin has played a lot of venues as well, from classic spots like The Mint and The Kibitz Room to the Park bar in Burbank. Audiences at The Cubby Bear in Chicago, Rays Boom Boom Room in New Orleans and various clubs in cities such as New York, Richmond, Atlanta, Va. Beach, and Columbia , SC have also seen him do his thing. His first album "On The Way To Nowhere" (2001) is a compilation of songs that was put together from recordings made throughout the late 90's.
A variety of Charleston's best musicians can be found accompanying Kevin West on this one. On his last album "My Life & Times" (2006) Kevin West created a Hip-Hop/Singer-Songwriter cross over sound that showcased his talent as an artist as well as a producer. By using jazz chords, singer songwriter arrangements, Hip-Hop beats, 16 to 20 bar rhyme schemes and strong hooks. Then, adding original comedy skits, sound bites and other forms of studio magic give the album a sound that's truly unique. Kevin's last album "Once In A Lifetime" (2015) is a back to basics kind of album. This project is more performance based. A Guitar Player/ Singer-Songwriter sound as opposed to the Hip-Hop feel of his previous endeavor. "Once In A Lifetime" is an excellent example of what Kevin West sounds like when you see him live. The New EP "Story Of MY Life"due to be released June 15, 2019 is combination of Americana Jazz and rock. Featuring some of Charleston South Carolinas finest musicians including members of Ranky Tanky and Danger Muffin.
Along with playing music for a living, Kevin has done countless performances and hands on volunteer work for many low country charities to include, Communities in Schools, My Sisters House, Happy Days And Special Times, North Charleston Juvenile Detention Center, Make A Wish Foundation, Crohn's and Colitis Foundation and "COURAGEOUS KIDZ". With every album, as with every performance it is clear that Kevin West is constantly growing as an artist, a musician and as a person.