We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Link West. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Link below.

Alright, Link thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

Stage names are goofy things. But it seems like everyone’s got one, It always amazes me to read a Wikipedia page on some normal-sounding novelist and find out that their birth certificate bears a completely different appellation. But I like it. I think there’s something romantic in distancing the artist from the man.

That being said, good nicknames are given, not self-applied. “Link” goes back to my early days in a rock ‘n roll band. Depending on who tells the story, as the new guy, I was either “the missing link” that pulled the line-up together, or the “weak link” that was still learning the old songs. In some contexts, “missing link” isn’t exactly a compliment either, but we were all friends and teasing was part of the fun. I used the last name “West” in various combinations on some of our credits too.

Around the time I was getting the new material off the ground, I caught a production of John Water’s Hairspray, One of the main characters is named “Link” and I thought. Yeah, that’s it, “Link West.” Let’s do this!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

As Bob Dylan said, “I’m a song-and-dance man.” I work in the mainstream of 20th century guy-and-a-guitar music. Sometimes that’s rock, sometimes that’s folk, sometimes that’s country. But whatever, it’s just good American music to me, even when the artists I cover are Canadian or British or something else.

I get out and hit as many farmer’s markets, fairs, brew-pub patios and wineries as I can. Living in South Dakota, the weather puts a real drag on the schedule during the snowy months, so I’ve really got to maximize my time.

Anywhere you go, you can find guys like me. But no one plays it quite like Link West. When you book me for a night, your crowd is going to get a memorable evening. I listen to the audience while the audience is listening to me. I give them a chance to tell me what moves them, and adjust on the fly. I want to give them something special, to make their night out just what they needed. It’s just a sign a respect and human kindness, and creating that vibe brings joy.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Did I mention the weather? A big surprise to me when I first started booking solo gigs was just how far out some venues book up. You don’t know how you’ll be feeling, or what the forecast is going to look like. But it doesn’t matter. As a professional you’ve got to show up no matter what, and give it your best.

Outdoor shows in the spring & fall in South Dakota can be beautiful, But just as easily there can be snow in the forecast. I’ve learned not to pack up my long underwear too soon! And there will always be a party or other event that you have to miss because you already booked a gig, maybe months ago, for the night.

Numb fingers, head colds, shear exhaustion? Again, it doesn’t matter. The show must go on!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

As a musician, your reputation comes down to two things: Being good, and being reliable.

Having a firm grip on your craft and equipment is a given. You’ve got to have your setlist down, and be ready for any number of snafus….dead batteries, glitchy cables, broken strings, you name it.

But the reliable thing is harder to come by. Are you on time? Do you communicate effectively? Do you remember names and faces and say “thank you”? Those basic skills are necessary for any gig, in music and in life. Don’t forget them! Show some loving respect for the people booking and tipping you, and the karma will come back around.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linkwest.rocks
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/linkwestrocks/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/linkwestrocks/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@linkwest
• Other: https://linkwest.bandcamp.com