Brian West (musician)

Brian West (born March 12, 1971) is a Canadian record producer, songwriter, musician, engineer and mixer based in Los Angeles.[1] He is a guitarist for the Canadian band The Philosopher Kings. Formerly of the production team Track and Field, he is best known for his work with Nelly Furtado, Maroon 5, Awolnation, K'naan, and Bono. He co-produced Andy Grammer's single Honey, I'm Good with Steve Greenberg and Nolan Sipe. His most recent release, "Salted Wound" sung by Sia is on the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack. He is based in Los Angeles. West has been nominated for an Academy Award, two Grammy Awards and has won seven Juno Awards.

Brian West
Background information
Also known asSweet Westy, Field from Track & Field
Born (1971-03-12) March 12, 1971
Sarnia, Ontario, Canada
OriginToronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Record producer
  • songwriter
  • musician
Instruments
  • Guitar
  • piano
Years active1994–present
Associated acts
Websitesweetwesty.com

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 Fifty Shades of Grey: Salted Wound sung by Sia, 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")[8] 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")[8] A&M/Octone
2011 Paper Tongues Paper Tongues Producer, writer, engineer, musician ("Ride To California," "Trinity," "Get Higher," "For the People," "Love Like You")[8] A&M/Octone
Marlon Roudette Matter Fixed Producer, writer, engineer, musician ("Storyline")[8] 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")[8] Red Bull Records
Darren Hayes (singer of Savage Garden) Secret Codes and Battleships Producer, writer, engineer, musician ("Cruel Cruel World," "Explode," "Tiny Little Flashlights")[8]
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)[8] 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)[8] 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)[8] Sony BMG
Esthero Wikked Lil' Grrrls Producer, writer, engineer, musician ("O.G. Bitch," "Junglebook" featuring Andre 3000)[8] 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)[8] 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")[8] DreamWorks
1997 Philosopher Kings Famous, Rich and Beautiful Member, musician, writer (13 tracks)[8] Sony BMG Canada
1994 Philosopher Kings Philosopher Kings Member, musician, writer (12 tracks)[8] Sony BMG Canada

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

Latin Grammy Awards

Juno Awards

SOCAN Awards

  • 2010 – SOCAN Award for No. 1 song (K'Naan, "Take a Minute"): Won[14]

Discord.com

References
  1. "Complete list of Grammy nominations". The Seattle Times. 2002-01-04. Retrieved 2013-01-10.
  2. "The Philosopher Kings biography". Retrieved 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". Archived from the original on 2013-11-05. Retrieved 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 2013-08-24.
  7. "Nakia readies 'Down in the Crimson Tide' EP for March 5 release". Retrieved 2013-02-01.
  8. "Brian West on AllMusic.com". Retrieved 2013-01-10.
  9. "Grammy nominees 2013". Archived from the original on 2012-02-01. Retrieved 2013-01-10.
  10. "Juno Awards: 2010 Artist of the Year". Retrieved 2013-01-10.
  11. "Juno Awards: 2004 Single of the Year". Retrieved 2013-01-10.
  12. "2001 Juno Awards". Retrieved 2013-01-10.
  13. "1996 Juno Awards". Retrieved 2010-01-13.
  14. "SOCAN honours K'naan with two SOCAN No. 1 Song Awards". SOCAN.ca. 2010-09-29. Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2010-01-13.
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