I had not heard of The Far West until they were booked into The Extended Play Sessions this week, but I knew after watching a few videos that their music was absolutely right up my alley.

The Far West

Part bluegrass, part country, part alt-country, and part Americana (and maybe part other genres), they deliver an energetic show that is crammed with talent!

Fresh off a tour opening for Dave and Phil Alvin, they were still riding high and brought that intense energy to the Session.

The Far West

Lee Briante on guitar, Robert Black on bass, Michael Whiteside on keyboard, Aaron Bakker on guitar, and Brian Bachman on drums (with Lee singing lead and all others singing harmonies) comprise The Far West.

Lee Briante

Robert Black

Michael Whiteside

Aaron Bakker

Brian Bachman

One of their songs, ‘Bitter, Drunk and Cold’, resonated with more than a few of us! Especially the cold part, considering the winter we had in Boston…

Lee Briante and Aaron Bakker

The current configuration of The Far West is fairly recent and it works oh so well. Their on-stage chemistry is evidenced by their constant eye contact with one another, and also by how tightly they play.

Robert Black, Lee Briante, and Aaron Bakker

Even though they don’t have a pedal steel, Aaron has figured out a way to make his guitar sound quite similar to one.

Aaron Bakker and Brian Bachman

There is a lot of heartache in these songs; during the interview portion of the evening, Lee told us that he rarely pens happy songs. I don’t recall if ‘These Arms Will Be Empty’ was one of the songs they performed, but the lyric ‘So I guess I’ll just be lonely for a while’ is an example of those sad lyrics.

Lee Briante

The band came together because of a late-night ad placed by Lee on Craigslist. Within minutes, Robert responded and the rest is history. Robert and Lee share songwriting duties, although they do not write the songs together.

Robert Black, Aaron Bakker and Lee Briante

I asked what went through their minds as Dave Alvin played with them during their encore at the Alvin Brothers show the previous weekend; I knew full well what their answer would be. It is rare than an opening act gets to do an encore as they were lucky enough to do; it is not considered good etiquette. Dave Alvin encouraged them to do the encore with him playing guitar. The look on all their faces as their idol took the stage with them was priceless. I am fortunate to have witnessed that moment. Hopefully there will be more for them.

Robert Black, Lee Briante, and Aaron Bakker

I have listened to their two albums at least a dozen times in the past few days and doubt I will tire of them any time soon. The Far West should be on your radar to see live; I doubt you will regret it.