Joel West is a singer-songwriter and storyteller from Burns Lake. His music carries the grit of blues, the soul of rock and country, and the heartbeat of his culture. 
Joel got his passion and love for music from watching his late father, Alec West, Sr play for family, friends and strangers. Seeing how music brought joy and hope to people who were sometimes having a hard day, Joel instinctively knew he wanted to be of service to his community through music. With his first debut at 13 years old, Joel rocks the stage and keeps people on the dance floor sweating it out for hours.  

With performances across Turtle Island, Joel has opened for artists like Crystal Shawanda, Derek Miller, Murray Porter and Ernest Monias and played major events including the Canada Winter Games and Surrey Canada Day. Joel’s creative journey proves that no dream is too far out of reach when we stay consistent and keep showing up. 

When did music first become part of your life? 
Through my late dad. There was always music at our home. Whenever visitors would come over, my dad would pull out his guitar and entertain our guests. My uncle Jimmy was the one who taught me how to play my first song ‘Dead Flowers’ by the Rolling Stones. My late buddy Kelly Dennis taught me how to play barre chords.  

What stories or experiences inspired you when you made the album ’Cause That’s How Baby Does It’? 
Every song on that album is a piece of myself and all moments and experiences I have gone through. For example, the song ‘Gramma’ was about missing my grandmother. I grew up having a special relationship with my grandparents, both from my mom and my dad's side. Although, I didn't get to meet my mom's dad, the late Frank Erickson.  
The song ‘Happy Inyun’ just happened as a conversation with my buddy. He showed me a little clip and a small outline of what he was working on, and I tweaked it and sent it back to him in about five minutes. He listened to it and surprisingly let me have the song. It’s the little things like this that have really made a difference in my journey. 

Do you have a songwriting process?  
To be honest, a lot of the time I just pick up my guitar and start messing around, and just sort of go from there. Ideas will come to me, and I pick up my phone and hit record. I have so many songs ready to go–enough to put together a new album, which I'm starting to work on now. So, stay tuned for more original music next year. 

When do you know a song is done and ready to be released 
You feel it and know. I’ve learned not to overthink every song I write. I just pick up the guitar and jam out. It’s funny, sometimes I hear a snippet of the song in my head before I even play it. It’s a process that keeps me grounded and rooted, especially in my sobriety journey.  
How would you describe your sound to someone who’s never heard you?  
I would say it’s classic-country-rock. Although, I pull a lot of influences from different genres. I love listening to Ray Charles, Hank Junior and Hank Senior, Merle Haggard, Buddy Guy, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn. You know, the legends. And of course, CCR [Creedance Clearwater Revival].

 
Have you ever wrestled with a song that just didn’t want to come together? 
I have more than 12 of them that I’m currently working on. Writing can be challenging, especially when you’re really pondering about what to say in the best way possible.  

Is there a lesson from your music journey that you wish you could send back to your younger self? 
Don't worry what anybody says! Just go out and do it because you only get one shot. Practice every day, even when you don't want to, and do your best to stand out from the crowd.

 
If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would be your first purchase?  
A happy meal.