Way Out West: Take a good look

Bristol-based Way Out West – the partnership of dance dons Nick Warren and Jody Wisternoff – are delightful chaps, devoid of any superstar stoicism and full of down-to-earth diction and laughter.  “Bristol’s a lovely place,” Jody says of their base of operations, whilst apologetically chewing down a full English breakfast.  “It’s like a chilled out London.”

“Yeah,” Nick adds.  “If London is considered to be the arsehole of England, then I suppose Bristol would be the poo-nar-ney.”

Amid periodical bursts of mirth from both ends of the three-way phone conversation between the lads in their studio and me in my dingy study, talk of their impressive new album “Don’t Look Now” also surfaced.  “This is our third album now and we’re really pleased with it,” Nick chirps.  A main reason for his pride is the incorporation of vocalist Omi, who appears throughout the album.  “It’s made a big difference having one vocalist,” Nick continues.  “It holds the album together really nicely and meant that this time round, we could really work on different tempos and vibes.”

“When you make a record,” Jody adds, “you’ve got to be happy with what you do because you’re gonna be playing it so often that you don’t want to end up driving yourself mad with a crap track, y’know?”

And have the boys ever produced a so-called “crap track”?  “All of ‘em!” Nick laughs.  “Nah, we’re pretty happy with everything we’ve done.  There were a few remixes from years back we’re not to happy with now, but that’s nothing.  We did a mix just last week for UNKLE – the Ian Brown track ‘Reign’ – which I reckon is one of our best to date.  We followed the template we did for ‘Killer’; it’s like a 12 and a half minute orchestral monster that bubbles along for 5 or 6 minutes before we hit ‘em between the eyes with the beats.”

Talk turns to their upcoming tour and, in particular, their Canberra appearance with Faithless.  “Canberra was the first place in Australia I ever went to,” reveals Nick Warren, “way back in 1984.  I had family down here.  I always have a good time.  I love the drive from Canberra to Sydney, I really enjoy that.”

“It’s my first time to Canberra,” Jody adds.  “I’m looking forward to it.”  Regarding their touring partners Faithless, the boys are understandably happy, but not necessarily for obvious reasons.  “It’s great being the support, because you get to play early then have the night off and sink some beers,” Nick says, the excitement of early alcohol evident in his tone.  “We’re often the main act,” Jody says in support, “so we don’t finish until late and by then the night’s nearly over.  So it makes a refreshing change.”

And informing the lads about the snazzy Royal Theatre venue only raises their excitement further.  “Right, that sounds like a cool venue,” Nick says.  “Yeah, it should be a really good show,” Jody continues.  “We have our whole live act coming so the night’s set to go off.”

Way Out West’s new album, ‘Don’t Look Now’, is out now through Distinctive/Inertia. You can catch Way Out West touring nationally at their solo shows and with Faithless this October:

Fri Oct 8th, Sydney – Hordern Pavilion w/ Faithless (SOLD OUT)
Sat Oct 9th, Sydney – Hordern Pavilion w/ Faithless (BUY TICKETS)
Sun Oct 10th, Canberra – Royal Theatre (BUY TICKETS)
Tue Oct 12th, Sydney – The Metro (BUY TICKETS) – Exclusive Discount Price
Thu Oct 14th, Melbourne – Prince of Wales (BUY TICKETS) – Exclusive Discount Price
Fri Oct 15th, Adelaide – Thebarton Theatre w/ Faithless (BUY TICKETS)
Sat Oct 16th, Melbourne – Vodafone Arena w/ Faithless (BUY TICKETS)
Sun Oct 17th, Brisbane – Convention Centre w/ Faithless (BUY TICKETS)

Interview originally appeared in BMA – http://www.bmamag.com