They usually perform as a five-piece ensemble featuring vocal harmonies, acoustic guitar, electric violin, alto sax, upright bass, drums and live looping. Trio and quartet formats are also a thing. On special occasions they'll add piano.
Adrian takes delight in setting sober, meaningful lyrics to joyful music. Whether telling a silly story or grappling with some challenge facing humanity, Adrian's lyrics are infused with equal parts hope, clear-eyed realism and lighthearted whimsy.
Adrian likes his songs to stand on their own musically, independent of the lyrics. He usually completes the instrumental layers of the song from start to finish (chords, melodies, arrangement) before writing a single lyric.
Born and raised in Montreal, Adrian is an exciting performer to watch: a spirited vocalist, he moves effortlessly between guitar & violin, sometimes using live looping to sneak extra layers of intrigue to his songs. With a knack for plainspoken poetry, he's not afraid to tackle difficult subjects: Safe Streets tells an allegory about police brutality and corruption, Lovers of the World speaks for younger generations inheriting an damaged planet, Ironclad depicts human memory as a double-edged sword...
The band ususally peppers its sets with interpretations of covers by the likes of Paul Simon, Talkingheads, Norah Jones, Peter Gabriel, Alanis Morisette, Kenny Garrett, Squeeze, Dolly Parton, Supertramp, Dave Brubeck, Tom Waits, Thelonious Monk, The Pretenders, Billy Joel, Roy Hargrove, Elton John, Elvis Costello, Dave Matthews, Noe Venable & Maurice Ravel.
Adrian started playing violin at age four and in his teens studied classical violin at the McGill Conservatory of Music in Montreal. He later learned to play drums, guitar and developed his singing and songwriting chops.
He moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1995 where as a sideman violinist he began supporting local Bay Area bands, playing some of the area's better known venues including the Fillmore, Yoshi's SF (main stage), Slim’s, The Independent and The Sweetwater. In 2005 he formed the Adrian West Band which has performed steadily at venues and festivals all over the Bay Area. |
.jpg)
