Brian Anderson on double bass, Langley's accordian player Jeff Poynter, lead vocalist Eden Oliver, and Langley mandolin player Alex Rempel make up the West My Friend band coming to Langley tonight.
Photograph by: Submitted photo , for Langley Advance
Jeff Poynter and Alex Rempel are curing their homesick blues with a concert in their hometown of Langley tonight.
These young men, who were both born and raised in Langley and attended Langley Fine Arts School for 12 years as music majors, have since moved to Victoria to pursue their bachelor of music degrees at the University of Victoria.
While the pair perform together in three Vancouver Island bands, it was at university where they met fellow West My Friend bandmates Eden Oliver (lead vocals, guitar, and flute) and Brian Anderson (double bass), Poynter explained.
And it's the foursome known as West My Friend that is embarking on an 18day (14-stop) B.C. tour that will see them travel from Victoria to Haida Gwaii and back, visiting both small and large cities. The trip includes concerts in the hometowns of each member of the band (Eden from Terrace and Brian from Qualicum).
West My Friends is not what you'd call your ordinary folk band, said Poynter, the band's 22-year-old accordian player who is hosting the local concert at his family home Aug. 2.
Since West My Friend was conceived in a Victoria cafe in 2009, Poynter said he's been eager to share their new music with everyone at home in Langley, and he's excited for the chance to finally do so.
This tour, named after the song Homesick Blues off their recent debut album, Place (released in April), is the group's first major excursion from the island.
The indie-folk band has emerged as a unique voice in Victoria's music scene with "a sound of true Canadiana achieved via "extraordinary musicianship," Poynter explained.
Described as everything from indie-roots to chamber-folk, West My Friend's acoustic blend of instruments and four-part harmonies challenges the conventions of popular music, added 21-year-old Rempel, who provides vocals and plays the mandolin.
There are two Lower Mainland concerts this week. The first is at the Poynter home at 7: 30 p.m. tonight (email westmyfriend@gmail.com for address). The cost is $10/ students and $15/adults.
The next concert is Friday, Aug. 3 at Cafe Deux Soleils, 2096 Commercial Dr. in Vancouver starting at 9 p.m. Admission $6.
rhooper@langleyadvance.com
