If you look on a map Americana UK Towers is somewhere in South Liverpool, and from our turret we can see over the Mersey to the Wirral, birthland of your always swimming against the tide (river) Editor, and so it’s a delight to share with you today a track by Wirral based americana musician Mike West. West describes himself as being inspired by the likes of Kris Kristofferson, Blind Willie Johnson, Son House, Johnny Cash and Howlin’ Wolf, and writes songs that weave between country and folk, hard rock and blues. There is not enough hard rock in the world of americana.
West’s full-length debut ‘The Next Life’ is the culmination of a personal and musical journey since he first started performing as a solo artist in 2016, with a raw, one take, three mics recording that captures his songs in their purest form, ethereal violin and haunting pedal steel soaring over vocals. Rock Ferry, he tells us, “is an Alt-Country ballad about small-town tragedies and the struggles found in my home town of Rock Ferry on the Wirral.” For all the struggles, it’s a lovely song – and the place is worth a visit too. You should try the Refreshment Rooms if you’re ever over there – Wirralians get the best views you know.
