Quiet Hum

The ‘West’ in this quartet's name refers to the North American West, and the band hails from Vancouver Island, which is about as far west as you can go.

It may well inspire some trepidation in the listener should they note the band's self-categorisation in the ‘Cascadian third-wave indie progressive chamber folk-roots’ genre. Well, do not be too alarmed. This is perfectly listenable stuff. In fact, it has the urbane good humour and sophisticated polish of near neighbours Pink Martini from Portland, Oregon. This comparison can be heard in the jazz inflections of these university and Royal Conservatory-trained musicians. Mandolin, accordion and double bass ripple beneath Eden Oliver's airy vocals. In Pink Martini fashion, they even foray into multilingual territory with the Francophone ‘Tombée’.

While there is always the danger of everything feeling slightly twee, like a big, sweet mug of tea, there is comfort in West My Friend's embrace and their music could while away many an evening soirée very happily.