With simple honesty about complex emotions, John West creates soul without crooning, and pop without gloss. "In life, it's scary when you've never experienced something before, but if a song can be a guide, or a roadmap, that's a beautiful thing," says the now L.A.-based Southern boy who cites Otis Redding, Cat Stevens, Jill Scott and Jack Johnson as primary influences. "What I love about people's reaction to my music now is that people tell me it soothes and relaxes them. It helps them get through hard days easier. And the reason I wrote half of these songs was to get through my own hard days."
Much to John's satisfaction, his songs are providing a similar relief to his ever-expanding audience. Fans have been gathering to hear John play everywhere from Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade to such Los Angeles hotspots as The Roxy, Temple Bar, Viper Room, & Hotel Cafe, where John has consistently drawn capacity crowds. "The idea that I can bring different types of people together seems like a real calling," he says. "And if you can do that, then all of a sudden you can break down a lot of other barriers, because fear is usually the lack of knowledge and a lack of commonality. Music can bring people together so well."
Not only is John's music bringing people together, but it's caught the attention of media tastemakers, critics, and music industry heavyweights. As several major music labels vie for John's attention, he's been busy sharing the stage with such influential artists as Goapele, Les Nubians, Raphael Saadiq, Colbie Cailet, Tony Lucca, Cary Brothers, & KRS-ONE. With all the buzz surrounding John West, it's only natural that blogger, Perez Hilton, has also begun talking, calling John's remix of Rihanna's hit single "the best cover of 'Umbrella' ever."
In 2005, John moved to Los Angeles (the lovely Echo Park, to be exact) with a few friends to concentrate on his music career. "You'd think that you move to L.A. and you lose your soul. Or so they say," he laughs. "But when I got to L.A. my purpose deepened, and when that happens you can't stop that from translating into your work."
At his shows and online, John began selling an 11-track, self-released album. "My songs are like journal entries in some ways," he says, and if so, his diary makes for quite an interesting read. "I want to do something people listen to and walk away a little different." His current hit single, "Loved You Tonight" was inspired by a friend "who was always getting into MySpace crushes," while the reflective "Masquerade" offers guidance for those "lost in the circus," "lost in the maze." He ponders if "maybe day jobs pollute us" as he implores dreamers to persist with the anthemic "Gravity." With lyrics that are so relatable to anyone who listens, it's no coincidence that John West has become a two-time MySpace "Featured Artist" and has over 2.9 million plays on the social networking site. Music fans have proven that they want more of John and are eager to pass his message and music on to everyone they can reach.
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