99% of the time i'm all alone up there, but every once in a while i find a friend. Matt Raum is the mandolinist/multi-instrumentalist who has been my main man when it comes to fleshing out my albums, but my pal Greg Koons has played some guitar at some shows as well.
Influences
Dylan, Difranco, Springsteen, Dan Bern, Stuart Davis, Patty Griffin, Peter Gabriel, Greg Brown, Chris Smither, and the list goes on and on. oh, also alcohol, my parents, my mood, and peer pressure.
The first guitar Brooks West picked up belonged to his uncle, a wheat farmer in North Dakota (and not a guitar player himself). Since then, this Fargo North Dakota native has gone on to write over one hundred songs, blending elements of contemporary folk, country, and pop.
The son of a mortician and a school teacher, Brooks has a unique outlook on life that shapes his repertoire. His songs cover subjects ranging from death and destruction to love and hope and even the occasional ballad to office supplies.
Over the past ten years, Brooks has performed in coffee shops, bars, colleges, festivals, and benefits across a good portion of the country. Some career highlights have included playing the national anthem for a sell-out crowd of more than 4,500 minor league baseball fans, and having opening slots for such nationally known acts as Grammy Award winning Doc Watson, The Duhks, Dan Bern, The Roches, KellyJoe Phelps, Jeff Lang, Shawn Mullins and more.
These days Brooks has branched out to the east coast, where he's traded bitter cold for heavy traffic. He's back in the mini van-- with a brand new EP, cruising the back roads and pumping out a fresh load of tunes wherever he goes.
Hey Brooks, I really enjoyed your music last night! Love, love, love, Fireflies, Moonlight, Coalmines, and Chocolate!!! I look forward to hearing you again soon. Take Care! (:
Hi Brooks Great to see you last night Love the cd Hope you and your friends can come out to: Curb Cafe-Belmont University 1900 Belmont Blvd.@ Bernard 7pm-9pm Trevor Finlay Kokomo Joe Arthur Godfrey FREE Admission
HEY! I hope you've heard about Invisible Children's event called the Rescue happening today, April 25th, in 100 cities across the U.S. and internationally. We have one in Harrisburg on the steps of the Capitol at 4pm. It's gonna be AWESOME! Come check it out and help save children from war. =)
therescue.invisiblechildren.com
what is UP with Fargo and the floods? man, i am sorry to hear about it and i hope your family and friends are at least afloat and keeping somewhat dry....(Fargo and the Floods...could be a name for a band...no?... mmmmmaybe not)
Nice opening for Phonograph at ABC Saturday night! I didn't catch your entire gig but looking forward to - one day in the near future. Very nice sound!
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