The main ingredient for an honest, true artist is always authenticity, whether that comes from a trained background or from somewhere deep inside one’s heart and soul. For Ted West, his quest to recording artist made a pit stop at acting before he decided that the book of self-penned poetry he’d carried around since he was a teenager (ala Jim Morrison) needed to be translated to song. (West even includes a few nods to Morrison on his new record, True West, including a cover of the Doors’ “The Crystal Ship.”)

West’s sound walks the line between urban decay and psychedelia, often melding the two together to create a sound that’s modern Los Angeles — an updated Morrison, if you will. There’s nothing throwback to find here, just a wholly streamlined, “today” album for today’s radio listener… as well as those vinyl-spinners among us.

Now, check out the haunting, enchanting “Bittersweet Descent” from True West, out October 27.

Music, Popdose Premieres

About the Author

Allison Johnelle Boron

Allison lives in Los Angeles where she is a freelance music journalist, jug band enthusiast, and industry observer. She is also the editor of REBEAT magazine. Find her on Twitter.

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