Atmospheric and rootsy, the music of The Westies serves the songs, most of which are written by Michael McDermott. The group’s debut album, West Side Stories, came out about a year ago and is filled with cuts that are self-described as being about “love, betrayal, murder, hope and redemption.”
The genre “Americana” is too often used these days, but it may be unavoidable when trying to fit The Westies into a niche. The music of The Westies is well-produced and layered, and the overall effect seems to hide the fact that, while this group is onto something cool, an even better album is possible from the troupe in the future.
Standing next to McDermott throughout this album and onstage is Heather Horton, who provides ever-present harmony vocals and violin. Apparently McDermott was in a bit of trouble when he met Horton (he reportedly had just dodged prison time before their chance encounter), but she helped him turn his life around, and he decided to focus on writing real music in the “write what you know” vein. McDermott states that truth on The Westies’ website, saying, “All I ever wanted to do was write songs and tell stories, like my grandparents and parents did from a long Irish lineage. With that lineage came a proclivity for drink, for mayhem, and a wee bit of crime. I write what I know and what I know is, much of the time, ugly.”
So, McDermott took his street smarts and family history and based the songs on West Side Stories on the trials and tribulations of Irish gangs in New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen in the 1960s. There is something here, whether you call it “Americana” or “Urban Proto-AltFolk.” If McDermott can stay on the straight and narrow, the future looks bright and earthy and grimy music of substance will be his calling card. Go to the band’s website, westiesmusic.com, listen to the West Side Stories album and, after soaking it up for a while, you will know if you want to hitch a ride on its musical journey.
The Westies have a new album set to be released later this month and, following their gig at Southgate, they will appear on the Mountain Stage NPR radio show.
Click here for tickets/more info.
This article appears in Jan 6-13, 2016.