Brian West

born on 12/3/1971

Brian West (musician)

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Brian West (musician)

Brian West (born March 12, 1971) is a Canadian multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated and five-time Juno Award-winning record producer, songwriter, and musician.[1] Formerly of the production team Track and Field as well as Canadian band The Philosopher Kings, he is best known for his work with Nelly Furtado, Maroon 5, Awolnation, K'naan, and Bono. He is now based in Los Angeles.

Life and career

West began his career as the lead guitarist for Toronto-based band The Philosopher Kings in 1994.[2] After achieving some commercial success in the late 1990s and winning a Canadian Juno Award with the group,[3] he began to produce music for other artists, partnering up with Kings lead singer Gerald Eaton to produce Nelly Furtado's debut album, Whoa, Nelly![4] The project garnered a Grammy nomination for West's production and a win for Furtado, as well as several Juno Awards. Working as a production duo under the name Track and Field, together West and Eaton co-wrote and co-produced Furtado's follow-up album Folklore and two albums with Somali Canadian rapper K'Naan, landing themselves several more Junos.[5] Before long West branched off into solo production, now producing and writing alongside such notable artists as Maroon 5, Awolnation, K'Naan, Nakia, and Bono.

His work has been featured on soundtracks for a number of films, including The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, 20 Feet from Stardom, The Italian Job, Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, and Brokedown Palace, among others.

Selected discography

Year Artist Album Details Label
2013 Bryan Ellis The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones soundtrack; forthcoming album Producer, writer, engineer, musician ("Strange Days" on film soundtrack; "Days of the Summer")[6] Universal Republic
Nakia Drown In The Crimson Tide Producer, writer, musician ("Walking On A Slant")[7] Something Music
Judith Hill 20 Feet from Stardom soundtrack Producer, writer, engineer, musician ("Desperation") Columbia Records
2012 Maroon 5 Overexposed Producer, writer, musician ("Man Who Never Lied")[7] A&M/Octone
Judith Hill Spike Lee's Red Hook Summer soundtrack Producer, writer, engineer, musician ("Desperation") 40 Acres and a Mule Musicworks
K'Naan Country, God or the Girl Producer, writer, engineer, musician ("Bulletproof Pride" featuring Bono, "Simple," "70 Excuses")[7] A&M/Octone
2011 Paper Tongues Paper Tongues Producer, writer, engineer, musician (Ride To California, Trinity, Get Higher, For the People, Love Like You)[7] A&M/Octone
Marlon Roudette Matter Fixed Producer, writer, engineer, musician ("Storyline")[7] Universal Germany
Alysha Brillinger Forthcoming album Producer, writer, engineer, musician (Better Soon, Boy Ho, Sorry) Lava/Universal
He Met Her Forthcoming album Producer, writer, engineer, musician ("Be Ok," "Moon Cafe")
Awolnation Megalithic Symphony Producer, writer, engineer, musician ("Kill Your Heroes")[7] Red Bull Records
Darren Hayes (singer of Savage Garden) Secret Codes and Battleships Producer, writer, engineer, musician (Cruel Cruel World, Explode, Tiny Little Flashlights)[7]
2010 Bonnie Pink Dear Diary Producer, engineer, musician ("World Peace") Warner Music Japan
2009 Nelly Furtado Mi Plan Producer ("Sueños" featuring Alejandro Fernández) Universal Music Latino
K'Naan Troubadour Producer, writer, engineer, musician (11 tracks)[7] A&M/Octone
Bonnie Pink One Producer, engineer, musician (Mo-So-Lover, Play and Pause, Get on the Bus) Warner Music Japan
2006 Stacie Orrico Beautiful Awakening Producer, writer, engineer, musician ("Beautiful Awakening)[7] Virgin Records
Philosopher Kings Castles Member, writer, musician, producer, engineer (14 tracks) Sony BMG Canada
2005 K'Naan The Dusty Foot Philosopher Producer, writer, engineer, musician (10 tracks)[7] Sony BMG
Esthero Wikked Lil' Grrrls Producer, writer, engineer, musician ("O.G. Bitch," "Junglebook" featuring Andre 3000)[7] Reprise/WEA
2004 Various Artists Perfecto Chills Vol. 2 Producer, writer, remixer ("Try" by Nelly Furtado featuring the Kronus Quartet) Thrive Records
2003 Nelly Furtado Folklore Producer, writer, engineer, musician (10 tracks)[7] Dreamworks
Kazzer The Italian Job soundtrack Writer ("Pedal to the Medal") Paramount Pictures
2000 Nelly Furtado Whoa, Nelly! Producer, writer, engineer, musician (11 tracks, including "I'm Like a Bird" and "Turn Off the Light")[7] Dreamworks
1997 Philosopher Kings Famous, Rich and Beautiful Member, musician, writer (13 tracks)[7] Sony BMG Canada
1994 Philosopher Kings Philosopher Kings Member, musician, writer (12 tracks)[7] Sony BMG Canada

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

  • 2013 Best Pop Vocal Album (Maroon 5, Overexposed): Nominated[8]
  • 2002 Producer of the Year, Non-Classical: Nominated[1]

Latin Grammy Awards

  • 2010 Best Female Pop Vocal Album (Nelly Furtado, Mi Plan): Won

Juno Awards

  • 2010 Artist of the Year (K'Naan): Won[9]
  • 2006 Rap Recording of the Year (K'Naan, The Dusty Foot Philosopher): Won
  • 2004 Single of the Year (Nelly Furtado, "Powerless (Say What You Want)"): Won[10]
  • 2001 Best Producer: Won[11]
  • 2001 Best Single (Nelly Furtado, "I'm Like a Bird"): Won[11]
  • 2001 Best New Solo Artist (Nelly Furtado): Won[11]
  • 1996 Best New Group (The Philosopher Kings): Won[12]

SOCAN Awards

  • 2010 SOCAN Award for No. 1 song (K'Naan, "Take a Minute"): Won[13]

External links

  • Brian West discography on Discogs.com
  • Sweetwesty.com: Brian West official website

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Complete list of Grammy nominations. The Seattle Times (2002-01-04). Retrieved on 2013-01-10.
  2. The Philosopher Kings biography. Retrieved on 2013-01-10.
  3. Canadian Press (1 February 1996). "Juno nominees reflect success of female singers". The Globe and Mail. pp. D2.
  4. Christie, Rod (2004-01-01). Producer perspective: Brian West. Retrieved on 2013-01-10.
  5. Barclay, Michael (2003) "Furtado shocks skeptics; Folklore proves Nelly deserved Juno; she's not just a spunky flash in the pan", Daily Mercury, December 18, 2003, p. F6
  6. The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones soundtrack on Barnes & Noble. Retrieved on 2013-08-24.
  7. 7.00 7.01 7.02 7.03 7.04 7.05 7.06 7.07 7.08 7.09 7.10 7.11 7.12 7.13 7.14 Nakia readies 'Down in the Crimson Tide' EP for March 5 release. Retrieved on 2013-02-01.
  8. Grammy nominees 2013. Retrieved on 2013-01-10.
  9. Juno Awards: 2010 Artist of the Year. Retrieved on 2013-01-10.
  10. Juno Awards: 2004 Single of the Year. Retrieved on 2013-01-10.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 2001 Juno Awards. Retrieved on 2013-01-10.
  12. 1996 Juno Awards. Retrieved on 2010-01-13.
  13. SOCAN honours K'naan with two SOCAN No. 1 Song Awards. SOCAN.ca (2010-09-29). Retrieved on 2010-01-13.
This page was last modified 09.11.2013 17:19:34

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