Ty West

Sarina’s Ty West didn’t become a musician to score millions of dollars, or chicks.
With his debut CD, Organic, exceeding his own sales expectations, the self-confessed starving artist says making music is about satisfying his own musical creativity and staying true to himself.
But, making a comfortable living off something he loves to do wouldn’t hurt either.
“I just don’t want to have regrets,” says West, who now calls Vancouver home.
The 25-year-old has been giving music a go professionally for the past four years and West feels as if he’s accomplished a lot in that short span.
He wrote and self-produced his first album, which has been organic in every sense of the word.
Even the art on the album’s cover was his own.
Organic, an eclectic mix of 12 tracks fusing his vocals and his rhythmic acoustical work, incorporates styles from several musical genres, including reggae, blues, jazz and classic rock.
West says he’s a performer who doesn’t dance to the same tune as most musicians.
“Even when I’m on stage I improvise quite a bit. I don’t go out there with a set list.”
And you won’t hear the typical rhythm guitar chords in his playing, either.
“I’m not going to be on top-40 radio,” he admits, “But, I like my musical freedom. The main thing is not the excessive cash flow. I’d rather live humbly and keep my own vision of the music I’m recording.”
So, selling out and spewing out music to please the execs in exchange for cash isn’t an option.
“It’ll be a tough day when someone tells me how to play my own music,” he says.
Music piqued West’s interest at an early age. He’s self-taught on the guitar and got his first performance fix as a member of Bluewater Musical Productions in Sarnia.
He recalls that first solo performance in front of 800 people and the indescribable rush he felt through his connection with the audience.
“I’ve been searching for that same feeling ever since,” West says.
He came close recently during a performance at Paddy Flaherty’s. “I was up on stage and we had a 12 bars of Christmas bus come in. It was the first time I had a stage rush,” he says. “That’s my first big taste, I guess.”
It’s those moments that make all the sacrifices worth it, West says. Millions of dollars could never reproduce such genuine experiences.
“That’s what pumps me to keep going.”
West has enjoyed a number of performance gigs leading up to the holiday rush, with stops in Sarnia, Peterborough and Guelph, which has become like a second home to West.
He’s met some fantastic musicians from that city, and outside of Sarnia, Guelph hosts more West performances than anywhere. But, his music has been far-reaching.
Fans from across the globe, including Russia and Brazil, have contacted the musician with accolades for his debut CD, calling it “different and refreshing.”
West says he’s living the dream right now, thanks to comments like that. “It’s very important to strive for that dream,” he says, “but the hardest part about living the dream is living the dream.”
His CD, Organic, is available at Cheeky Monkey. A second album is expected sometime in early 2007

By Jack Porier
The Observer
- The Observer

Sarina’s Ty West didn’t become a musician to score millions of dollars, or chicks.
With his debut CD, Organic, exceeding his own sales expectations, the self-confessed starving artist says making music is about satisfying his own musical creativity and staying true to himself.
But, making a comfortable living off something he loves to do wouldn’t hurt either.
“I just don’t want to have regrets,” says West, who now calls Vancouver home.
The 25-year-old has been giving music a go professionally for the past four years and West feels as if he’s accomplished a lot in that short span.
He wrote and self-produced his first album, which has been organic in every sense of the word.
Even the art on the album’s cover was his own.
Organic, an eclectic mix of 12 tracks fusing his vocals and his rhythmic acoustical work, incorporates styles from several musical genres, including reggae, blues, jazz and classic rock.
West says he’s a performer who doesn’t dance to the same tune as most musicians.
“Even when I’m on stage I improvise quite a bit. I don’t go out there with a set list.”
And you won’t hear the typical rhythm guitar chords in his playing, either.
“I’m not going to be on top-40 radio,” he admits, “But, I like my musical freedom. The main thing is not the excessive cash flow. I’d rather live humbly and keep my own vision of the music I’m recording.”
So, selling out and spewing out music to please the execs in exchange for cash isn’t an option.
“It’ll be a tough day when someone tells me how to play my own music,” he says.
Music piqued West’s interest at an early age. He’s self-taught on the guitar and got his first performance fix as a member of Bluewater Musical Productions in Sarnia.
He recalls that first solo performance in front of 800 people and the indescribable rush he felt through his connection with the audience.
“I’ve been searching for that same feeling ever since,” West says.
He came close recently during a performance at Paddy Flaherty’s. “I was up on stage and we had a 12 bars of Christmas bus come in. It was the first time I had a stage rush,” he says. “That’s my first big taste, I guess.”
It’s those moments that make all the sacrifices worth it, West says. Millions of dollars could never reproduce such genuine experiences.
“That’s what pumps me to keep going.”
West has enjoyed a number of performance gigs leading up to the holiday rush, with stops in Sarnia, Peterborough and Guelph, which has become like a second home to West.
He’s met some fantastic musicians from that city, and outside of Sarnia, Guelph hosts more West performances than anywhere. But, his music has been far-reaching.
Fans from across the globe, including Russia and Brazil, have contacted the musician with accolades for his debut CD, calling it “different and refreshing.”
West says he’s living the dream right now, thanks to comments like that. “It’s very important to strive for that dream,” he says, “but the hardest part about living the dream is living the dream.”
His CD, Organic, is available at Cheeky Monkey. A second album is expected sometime in early 2007

By Jack Porier
The Observer
- The Observer

cool nice job!!!! everything is great just sound perfect...and is catchy so keep it up..finally good music is coming back,
Chris

THESE SONGS ON N1 SITE ARE AWSOME! These songs should be on the radio. the lead vocals are top notch. The lyrics are well crafted and flow nicely. The arrangement is right on as well. I'm sorry. I have no constructive criticism for your songs. Theres nothing to say except, great songs. Loved it all.
Tanya

This is like, the perfect songs for stardom. The perfect vocals, very radio friendly and yet original. Have you been signed, cuz you should be. I just love your songs. I'm gonna visit your site and check out your other stuff. Keep it up!!!
Loma

These are the greatest songs Ive heard on number1music so far and I am amazed Im not hearing this on the radio yet. good job keep it up...Were can I get a CD??
Cindy

Hi!
I like your well polished sound and the way it keeps building. The
arrangements of the songs are flawless, and strong. Great lyrics. The hook is there and is nicely put together. I'm surprised this isn't on the radio.
Keep 'em coming!
Diana

Overall very impressed, look forward to hearing more from YOU...you've earned a fan!!!
Nancy

Yeah!!!
You've managed to put together very beautiful & catchy tunes. Those are
perhaps the most professional tunes I've laid my ears on Numberonemusic.com. Thank you for sharing this wonderful music with the lot of us - music for free is nice - but you ought to get paid!
William

Those are by far the best and most interesting tracks that I have listened to on Numberonemusic.com. Everything about it is great. Just fabulous. I don’t need to give you any advice. You know what to do already. Just continue what you are doing and you will hit the stars.
Regards
Jonas

Hi!!!!
Your...songs....give me the goose bumps. Where have you been all my life? This is awesome, totally way better than most of everything I've ever heard. Since you are still around numberonemusic I assume you didn't get a record deal yet. Such a shame. I would buy your album the very moment it was released! Oh my god, I would buy it twice! So, this is how good music can sound when true genius get to work.
Kathleen(FAN)

you are simply the best i have ever heard in my life, and the best singer in history of the human kind, its simply awesome!!!
Danila - the listeners

Face Time With Ty
by Jessica Pedlar

What brings you back to Sarnia & why have you decided to put on a show here?

I have a close friend getting married on the weekend. I felt it would be a good time to hang out and play a couple gigs in Sarnia. I don’t get to experience Ontario in the warm months much anymore, as I save my
trips East for the Holidays. I really miss Bright’s Grove in the Summer.

Date/time/location of the show?
Wednesday, August 12th and 19th
Paddy Flaherty’s, 10pm, No Cover

What other artists, if any, will be featured?

James Miller – Bluesy/Folky Singer/Songwriter - originally of Sarnia
Additional Special guests

Where do you get your inspiration for your music? Is it something you really have to work at or does an idea just pop into your head that you go with?

I get my inspiration from every moment of life. Things are happening all the time. Every one of those “things” can give life to a song. It all begins with a seed and seeds are being dropped every second. People
you meet, something you read, any random daily occurrence can be a subject to be explored further.

What makes your sound unique?

I learned guitar by listening to the songs and trying to play along like many do. For me, learning the chords was not enough. I wanted to somehow get the feeling of the bass line, the drums, the keys and whatever else was in there. I wanted to really fill the sound in. This
need for the full sound made it’s way in to my writing years later.
Percussive strumming and some unusual chord structures are some
characteristics of my tunes. Many musical styles make their way in to my playing. I may be doing a bluegrass song about a canoe, go in to an Eastern instrumental and end up in a funk tune about cats. I don’t
want the listener to get bored.

Rumour has it, you’re starting up a studio? Details?

Well, I can’t let too much out right now. What I can say is that I’m starting business with two great friends that just happen to be amazing musicians here in Nelson, BC. The studio part is only one ingredient in the recipe. We will be making some announcements in the coming months.

What does your family think of your music? Are they supportive?

I really couldn’t imagine a more supportive family. Cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and of course my folks, are at every performance that they can get to. My parents were really supportive in me finding what it was that made me happy and they continue to nurture it. I’m pretty sure my Mom is my best PR Rep.

Do you have any new music available for people to purchase at your show? Can people listen online?

I’m afraid not yet. I’ve been working on a new recording for quite some time now and all I can say is…soon. I’ll have my album Organic with me, so you can pick that up if you haven’t yet.

Do you have a website? If so, address please!

I have a few actually. I think everyone does these days. The official page is at www.TyWest.ca. I also have the Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter thing goin’. You can link to those from my official page.

What are your thoughts on how technology is changing the music industry? Do you use a lot of computer effects in your music or do you prefer to do things the old fashioned way?

I think the music industry is going through lots right now and has been for a while. As I’m sure many people know, the old model is completely shattered. Everyone is trying to find out the best way to rebuild it. Technology is changing every second though, therefore, the
model has to constantly change. We’re not force-fed music like we
were in the past. Sure, we could decide what radio station to listen to, but not what was played on it. It really feels like there’s something for
everyone if they want to find it.
When it comes to my recording, I like it to be simple and honest.
I’m really tryin’ to capture that idea in the next album. I dabble in the electronic side of music, just not with my singer/songwriter stuff. I like to keep all my projects separate.

Is there anything else you would like to add that we haven’t covered?

I’d love for the readers to check out another project that I’m involved with. For the past year I’ve been playing and touring with the rock/reggae/funk band Brian Rosen & The WhatNow. I’m playing electric guitar in this act. I can’t wait to bring our conscious dance grooves to you all in the not to distant future.


- Fix Magazine

Face Time With Ty
by Jessica Pedlar

What brings you back to Sarnia & why have you decided to put on a show here?

I have a close friend getting married on the weekend. I felt it would be a good time to hang out and play a couple gigs in Sarnia. I don’t get to experience Ontario in the warm months much anymore, as I save my
trips East for the Holidays. I really miss Bright’s Grove in the Summer.

Date/time/location of the show?
Wednesday, August 12th and 19th
Paddy Flaherty’s, 10pm, No Cover

What other artists, if any, will be featured?

James Miller – Bluesy/Folky Singer/Songwriter - originally of Sarnia
Additional Special guests

Where do you get your inspiration for your music? Is it something you really have to work at or does an idea just pop into your head that you go with?

I get my inspiration from every moment of life. Things are happening all the time. Every one of those “things” can give life to a song. It all begins with a seed and seeds are being dropped every second. People
you meet, something you read, any random daily occurrence can be a subject to be explored further.

What makes your sound unique?

I learned guitar by listening to the songs and trying to play along like many do. For me, learning the chords was not enough. I wanted to somehow get the feeling of the bass line, the drums, the keys and whatever else was in there. I wanted to really fill the sound in. This
need for the full sound made it’s way in to my writing years later.
Percussive strumming and some unusual chord structures are some
characteristics of my tunes. Many musical styles make their way in to my playing. I may be doing a bluegrass song about a canoe, go in to an Eastern instrumental and end up in a funk tune about cats. I don’t
want the listener to get bored.

Rumour has it, you’re starting up a studio? Details?

Well, I can’t let too much out right now. What I can say is that I’m starting business with two great friends that just happen to be amazing musicians here in Nelson, BC. The studio part is only one ingredient in the recipe. We will be making some announcements in the coming months.

What does your family think of your music? Are they supportive?

I really couldn’t imagine a more supportive family. Cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and of course my folks, are at every performance that they can get to. My parents were really supportive in me finding what it was that made me happy and they continue to nurture it. I’m pretty sure my Mom is my best PR Rep.

Do you have any new music available for people to purchase at your show? Can people listen online?

I’m afraid not yet. I’ve been working on a new recording for quite some time now and all I can say is…soon. I’ll have my album Organic with me, so you can pick that up if you haven’t yet.

Do you have a website? If so, address please!

I have a few actually. I think everyone does these days. The official page is at www.TyWest.ca. I also have the Facebook, Myspace, and Twitter thing goin’. You can link to those from my official page.

What are your thoughts on how technology is changing the music industry? Do you use a lot of computer effects in your music or do you prefer to do things the old fashioned way?

I think the music industry is going through lots right now and has been for a while. As I’m sure many people know, the old model is completely shattered. Everyone is trying to find out the best way to rebuild it. Technology is changing every second though, therefore, the
model has to constantly change. We’re not force-fed music like we
were in the past. Sure, we could decide what radio station to listen to, but not what was played on it. It really feels like there’s something for
everyone if they want to find it.
When it comes to my recording, I like it to be simple and honest.
I’m really tryin’ to capture that idea in the next album. I dabble in the electronic side of music, just not with my singer/songwriter stuff. I like to keep all my projects separate.

Is there anything else you would like to add that we haven’t covered?

I’d love for the readers to check out another project that I’m involved with. For the past year I’ve been playing and touring with the rock/reggae/funk band Brian Rosen & The WhatNow. I’m playing electric guitar in this act. I can’t wait to bring our conscious dance grooves to you all in the not to distant future.


- Fix Magazine