El West

El West has followed up last year’s powerful self-titled debut EP with The Mainstay. Overall, it’s a much more textural, somber affair that pays more attention to intricate musicianship, rather than relying on pop hooks or Bryant Powell’s operatic vocals. Every song is just as addictive as their debut, but it’s the depths they are exploring rather than a polished pop esthetic.

The bookends of “Belle Bouche” and “Rose Letter A” are both very much in line with this exploration and maintain the record’s tone from end to end. “Cuba” is a song I could spend an entire season in, not unlike the country. This is an El West classic, and Powell’s vocals are more wistful and plaintive. What does come through here is Thomas Brenneman’s chiming guitar and the flawless rhythm section of Ricky Powell and Marty Welker. When Bryant’s guitar duels with the mix, it’s pure magic. “The Likes of Me” is another number where the band sounds like they are truly coalescing their sound. Bryant is still in command with his voice, but there is so much going on musically, he becomes one of the instruments in the band.

“Bicycle” sounds like a period of British rock that wasn’t very popular in the States—the C-86 movement created pop textures in the 1980s that are still influencing music to this day. They also get into some majestic Coldplay territory here. It’s a stunner on a record that shows this band expanding their sonic horizons. There is also an emotional depth to these songs that may not have been apparent on early tunes like “Marauder” and “Thin Air.” - Java Magazine

Phoenix-based rockers El West have a sound that's ambitious, dynamic and bold. With an unapologetic sound is wide as the desert itself, "Thin Air" is the tune that accurately summarizes the band's mission statement in a mere four-and-a-half minutes. Blending anthemic indie rock with a sense of purpose, the trio creates something that's larger than the sum of its individual parts. - Pure Volume

Phoenix New Times

“El West's new EP is so nice they've released it twice. I'm not sure what accounts for that, but it's not much concern so long as the music gets out. This EP hit me like a ton of bricks when it was released earlier this year, and since then it's become one of my favorite records of the year. The EP is essentially four back-to-back singles with the mostly unlikely single being featured in the video above. I have a feeling El West will be one of THE bands to watch next year. The EP will be re-released on December 15 at Rebel Lounge and presumably online, so you will be able to bask in its glory then.” –Mitchell Hillman - Phoenix New Times

“I don't usually get goosebumps when I listen to a song on headphones for the first time, I usually save that for live shows, but in the case of "Thin Air" by El West I had goosebumps for the entire four-and-a-half minutes. El West sounds like nothing going on in Phoenix these days. When I try to decide what element I like the best I can't decide between Powell's voice, Thomas Brenneman's frenetic guitar, Rickey (sic) Powell's powerful bass groove, or Marty Welker's rapid-fire drumming. The damn thing impresses me at every level.” –Mitchell Hillman - Phoenix New Times

El West may be going for the title of “Best Debut Band of 2016” with their slew of amazing shows all summer long and their four-song debut EP. Appearing at the start of the year with a standalone single, “Marauder,” El West has emerged as a local favorite. Whether it is the electric energy of their live shows or their polished, radio-ready recordings, El West makes some of the most engaging music around.

The magic is mainly found between the booming voice of Bryant Powell and the guitar voodoo of Thomas Brenneman, but the rhythmic backbone of Ricky Powell on bass and Marty Welker on drums is pretty unwieldy, as well. Powell’s vocal delivery is right up front in the mix, as it should be. It comes across as a cross between Brandon Flowers of The Killers and Dave Vamian of The Damned.

The opener, “Half to Death,” is an immediate rocker that gets you into their sound, easing you into sonic dimensions, holding you in thrall. “Santiago,” the closest thing to a ballad here, wears something of a gothic mantle, with the chiming guitars and Powell’s voice adding that vibe. This song just screams for a very cinematic music video.

A sure-fire single is “Olivine,” with its easy-on-the-ears, alt-guitar opening, recalling the heyday of the New Romantics on MTV. Powell’s vocal hook on this number is particularly catchy amid washes of accessible, radio-ready guitar. Still, it’s the finale of “Thin Air” that is sure to garner fans from coast to coast. It’s their finest song to date in the aim of writing a fantastic alt-rock hit. - Mitchell Hillman - Java Magazine

Following on from their excellent February single Marauder, Phoenix-based alt-rock group El West are back with their new track Marauder and with it recall one of the most well loved indie-rock acts of recent times...They’ve been likened to Broken Social Scene, Radiohead, Elbow and The Roots. However, Bryant’s vocals have us thinking immediately of John Rossiter from the magnificent indie-rock quartet Young Jesus. As always, though, we’ll let you decide on that one..." - Songwriting Magazine

"Coming from Phoenix, El West is a band that blows my mind. Comprised of Members: Bryant Powell – Vocals/Guitar Thomas Brenneman – Guitar Ricky Powell – Bass Marty Welker – Drums, these guys have a sound totally their own. Bryant Powell’s are so powerful, and he has an unbelievable range, from high to beautiful deep lows... I think the closest bands I could compare them to is Elbow or Radiohead, but let me tell you: these guys are no copies. Check them out." - Audio Fuzz

El West is highly skilled at arranging and releasing songs having texturing that is dynamic and sophisticated. The latest example is “Where the Lights Go.” The song is a kaleidoscope for the ears, with periodic mere “quarter turns” to ensure that the integrity of the melody remains but texture-influencing changes are undeniable. After a soundscape intro, the guitars support the vocals with a style that is methodical and almost delicate. Much later, the guitars wield a power. The percussion and vocals are also varied in their approaches as “Where the Lights Go” progresses.

Interestingly, El West refers to “Where the Lights Go” as showing “a bit of a different side of the band.” It is currently a stand-alone single - a surprise release for fans for reaching 10k followers on Instagram.

El West is based in Phoenix, Arizona. The members are Bryant Powell (vocals, guitar), Thomas Brenneman (guitar), Ricky Powell (bass), and Marty Welker (drums).

In a description that we second, the band states:
“El West symbolizes energy. This platform has developed into dynamic composition, truthful lyrics and a distinctive energetic performance. The music has effortless swell that can turn on you at any moment from a lifting bravado to a faint hum. Inspired by bands such as Broken Social Scene, Radiohead, Elbow, and The Roots, EL WEST has created its own compelling and original sound.” - Indie Obsessive

El West officially premiere their new track titled ‘Heavy hitter’ right here on Jammerzine. This is a track that lives up to its name and hits you from the start with a poptasically frenetic beat and hook that captures the interest and sustains for four minutes eleven seconds. The chorus is worth the steady crescendo to the top that gives the band new fans and the song that street credibility that says this is a band that must be seen live.

For me personally, its the combination of the varied guitar work that hovers over the root with many places to go and that powerful something that hits the feels in that special place yet leaves enough for the road-worn yet pristine vocals to glide into place. And that place is memorable.

ABOUT EL WEST
Hailing from the desert of Phoenix, Arizona, El West creates a soundscape with ambient, yet driving instrumentals, and powerful operatic vocals. Soaring highs and heartfelt lows allow listeners to emotionally and visually connect to the music. A powerful rhythm section allows the subtle melodies to build into powerful crescendos like a wave of sound crashing over you.

Their new single “Where the Lights Go” embodies this landscape yet pushes it further. With catchy, mysterious bass hooks, dynamic swelling guitar riffs and tension gripping percussion, the music builds onto itself yet never seems complacent or formulaic. The vocal ties it all into a song that not only stays true to the band’s overall mission statement but introduces new listeners to music that has powerful pop personality but delivers a new, fresh sound.
With two releases under their belt, and a third on the way, El West has turned heads across the industry. After recently working with producer Beau Burchell(Saosin, Senses Fail, Moose Blood) on their upcoming release, they are embracing their readiness for commercial success. - Jammerzine