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West Indian Girl

MusicBlog

"a song to burn the clouds away"

Location: Los Angeles

Website: http://www.westindiangirl.com/

Bio: Alluring and revolutionary, bright and buoyant, exemplary in their ability to evolve from what is expected, the Los Angeles-based musical collective known as West Indian ... (more) Girl has created its majestic, engaging sophomore disc 4th & Wall. On an album brimming with instant, artful pop classics, this one-time studio duo turned living, breathing modern rock sextet has vaulted beyond the electronic banner under which it once uncomfortably resided. As evidenced by the gorgeous, lilting soundscape "All My Friends," the trippy surf-meets-soul concoction "Up The Coast," and the exquisitely crafted, synth-bolstered mid-tempo rocker "To Die in LA," 4th & Wall gives off an intoxicating, irresistible vibe with images of beautiful ocean views. Light years away from their facility's dirty concrete and broken bottle glass world, the beach is alive in its members via the lilting, dreamy float of "Indian Ocean," and the aforementioned "Blue Wave." "It's become a subconscious thing when you live in Southern California. We're all just fifteen minutes or so from the beach," Fran says. "I just think it becomes part of you." To which Rob adds, "It's funny how being close to a massive ocean seeps into your consciousness. The waves, the deep blue horizons, the sound, the animals...there's a parallel universe out there. It can't be ignored." Since its brief but successful stint with Astralwerks – which produced their eponymous 2004 debut and a subsequent Remix EP – Rob and Fran have morphed West Indian Girl into the current six member creative workforce behind 4th & Wall. With Mariqueen and Mark firmly in place, the group's founders faced a series of critical challenges, working through each with finesse and aplomb. These included the January 2006 addition of Nathan (after the departure of their original keyboardist) and the January 2007 induction of Amy, thereby rounding out the current lineup. Perfecting its craft with incessant touring, be it as headliners or sharing stages with bands like Gomez, The Album Leaf, Fischerspooner, Of Montreal, Apples in Stereo, Turin Brakes, My Morning Jacket and Phoenix, the road dogs in West Indian Girl count recent appearances at Sundance, plus exemplary performances at the San Diego Street Scene and All Good Festival as highlights. Bolstered by the gorgeous presence and phenomenal range of Mariqueen, West Indian Girl takes its spirited live show to a level few acts can rival. (less)