We recently connected with Tony West and have shared our conversation below.

Tony, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I knew I wanted to pursue music when I was five years old and I pointed to a poster and asked my uncle, “who is that girl?” He said, “that’s no girl, that’s David Bowie.” My life was never the same for me. Shortly after that I discovered punk rock, hard rock, and all kinds of music. The first record I ever bought with my own money was The Stones ‘Tattoo You.’

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Again, I have known I wanted to play music since I was five years old. I moved to LA because of music. I’ve always done music. Music was always there for me as a kid, so it’s time to be there for people and the kids. I didn’t choose music, it chose me. Out the gate.

This record “Letters from the Psych Ward” is really a deep dive into the rabbit hole of healing, trauma, and pain. All the records are, but this one just dives deeper into it because of the time I spent in Peru with the indians. I went to the Amazon Jungle in Peru with the Shipibo Indians and did ayahuasca, which is an ancient, indigenous medicine. Most of the songs are about that experience and other real-life experiences. Every single song is about a real life experience that I hope others can relate to, and maybe it will help them in some way.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Every time I am about to say “fuck this” or “I quit,” I get an email from a fan or someone that says your song helped me get through this. Or we played this song at my wedding. I get those emails and those messages where people tell me those things and that is the most beautiful thing you can have as an artist, when you touch people.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

The only book I read is the AA book. The way of life, and the way of living, to have peace in your heart and in your mind, and heal.

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Image Credits
Lady Lea Photography Jack Lue Photography