Accordions are used to play more than just polka music.
Jeff Poynter, accordion player and singer for the band West My Friend, said he likes to perform on the instrument and break the stigma associated with accordions.
“It’s a different sound. It’s kind of unique,” he said.
Previously Poynter played the guitar in the band, but switched primarily to the accordion. He is self-taught.
It helps the band create its unique sound. While West My Friend, which hails from Victoria, has been described as an indie folk band the members don’t like to contain themselves to one sound.
“We do try to avoid being boxed into one genre,” said Eden Oliver, lead singer and guitar player for West My Friend. “We make the music we want to make.”
Members also includes Alex Rempel who plays the mandolin and Nick Mintenko who plays the bass.
Oliver is the main songwriter.
“I often find that I will have ideas or experiences and I will put it in the creative blender,” she said.
Oliver usually starts with a melody first and then writes the lyrics.
“Both inform each other as they develop,” she said. “I’ve had songs end up being about something that I wasn’t expecting.”
West My Friend in one of the entertainers performing during the free Concerts in the Parks series hosted by the City of Nanaimo.
West My Friend performs at Maffeo Sutton Park July 25 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. The band recently released the album Quiet Hum and will performs songs from the album during the show.
Poynter said the band’s performance is influenced by the venue.
“It’s more of a community feel,” said Poynter about playing in the park.
Deborah Beck, a recreation coordinator for Nanaimo’s parks and recreation department, said this year the organizers have split up the evening concerts. In July they are held in Bowen Park and in August they are held in Maffeo Sutton Park.
“We love to see people in our parks, using our parks, and seeing what we have,” said Beck.
For more information about West My Friend please go to www.westmyfriend.com.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com
FREE CONCERTS are being held this summer during the City of Nanaimo’s Concerts in the Parks series, which has been running for the past 20 years. Entertainment runs until the end of August at Maffeo Sutton Park and the Bowen Park amphitheatre. People are invited to bring their lawn chairs or a picnic and enjoy the entertainment. For more information please go to www.nanaimo.ca or call 250-756-5200.
Maffeo Sutton Park performances held in July run Monday afternoons from 12:30-1:30 p.m. and include:
THE BEATE ROUTE Band, a folk, rock and blues group, performs Monday (July 11).
THE CSIDE3, a swing and blues band, performs July 18.
WEST MY FRIEND, an indie folk band, performs July 25.
Bowen Park amphitheatre performances held in July run Wednesday evenings from 6-7:30 p.m. and include:
IAN JOHNSTONE, a children’s entertainer, performs July 13.
TERRA ZETTO, a group described as zesty continental, performs July 20.
THE RANDLE PARKER Band, a folk and pop group, performs July 27.
Bowen Park amphitheatre concerts held in August run Monday afternoons from 12:30-1:30 p.m. and include:
LIZ STRINGER, a soul rock singer, performs Aug. 8.
JOAN WALLACE and the Martys, a blues, jazz and pop group, performs Aug. 15.
KAREN HELM, a guitar player and singer, performs Aug. 22.
LITTLE CROW, a folk and pop group, performs Aug. 29.
Maffeo Sutton Park concerts held in August run Wednesday evening 6-7:30 p.m. and include:
JUPITER JILL, an alternative singer, performs Aug. 3.
NANAIMO CHAMBER Orchestra performs Aug. 17.
DOCTORS OF ROCK ’n’ Roll, a classic rock band, performs Aug. 24.
GLEN FOSTER Group, a soft rock band, performs Aug. 31.
