Folk with a poetic edge

A little poetry makes the difference.

Not a big difference; that would be blowing things out of proportion. On the surface, West My Friend is one of many folk groups from Vancouver Island that include Oliver Swain’s Big Machine, The Fretless, Jenny Ritter or Genevieve and The Wild Sundays, but the poetry sets it apart.

On the quartet’s third album, Quiet Hum, it takes lyrics from a few sources, but the most established poet is Christina Rossetti, whose A Birthday suggests early that West My Friend won’t be stereotyped.

Add a little diversity such as the European-sounding accordion, attractive, warm harmony or the thoughtprovoking substance of the songs and there is a band that very subtly is distinguishing itself from other folk groups.

“I love that poem,” singer Eden Oliver admitted. “I doubt that people have heard this poem from this era.”

Oliver, who quietly acknowledges that she’s a casual poetry reader, also admits she’s a small-r romantic. Mostly, she’s attracted to vivid imagery.

“I’m definitely into the theatrical aspect of lyrics,” she said.

Oliver met Alex Rempel and Nick Poynter at the University of Victoria, where all three were studying music, but not folk music. Forming West My Friend was their way of blowing off steam.

“All of us were so involved in music all the time we just wanted to get out and play,” said Oliver.

A hunt for a bassist finally turned up Nick Pintenko, by which time West My Friend had achieved some acclaim for two albums and was established within the Island’s folk scene.

“I think we’re part of a scene,” Oliver said. “I definitely do feel a part of the scene and definitely keep in touch with those people.”

The scene is both supportive and competitive, enabling West My Friend to progress while stretching its bounds.

When it came to making the third album, the band felt ready to diversify.

“I think this album is more pared down than our previous album,” Oliver said. “We focused on simplicity, but the complexity of our arrangements is something we learned and we’ll take with us.”

I definitely do feel a part of the (Vancouver Island folk) scene and definitely keep in touch with those people.