Brian West (born March 12, 1971) is a Canadian record producer, songwriter, and musician. Formerly of the production team Track and Field, he is best known for his work with Nelly Furtado, Maroon 5, Awolnation, K'naan, and Bono. He co-produced Andy Grammer's single "Honey, I'm Good" with Steve Greenberg and Nolan Sipe. His most recent release, "Salted Wound," sung by Sia, is on the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack. West has been nominated for an Academy Award, two Grammy Awards and has won seven Juno Awards. West is a guitarist for the Canadian band The Philosopher Kings.
Life and career West began his career as the lead guitarist for Toronto-based band The Philosopher Kings in 1994. After achieving some commercial success in the late 1990s and winning a Canadian Juno Award with the group,Canadian Press (February 1, 1996). "Juno nominees reflect success of female singers". The Globe and Mail. pp. D2. he began to produce music for other artists, partnering up with Kings lead singer Gerald Eaton to produce Nelly Furtado's debut album, Whoa, Nelly! The project garnered a Grammy nomination for West's production and a win for Furtado, as well as several Juno Awards. Working as a production duo under the name Track and Field, together West and Eaton co-wrote and co-produced Furtado's follow-up album Folklore and two albums with Somali Canadian rapper K'Naan, landing themselves several more Junos.Barclay, Michael (2003) "Furtado shocks skeptics; Folklore proves Nelly deserved Juno; she's not just a spunky flash in the pan", Daily Mercury, December 18, 2003, p. F6 Before long, West branched off into solo production, now producing and writing alongside such notable artists as Maroon 5, Awolnation, K'Naan, Nakia, and Bono.
His work has been featured on soundtracks for a number of films, including Fifty Shades of Grey, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, 20 Feet from Stardom, The Italian Job, Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, and Brokedown Palace, among others.
Selected discography Year Artist Album Details Label2013 Bryan Ellis The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones soundtrack; forthcoming album Producer, writer, engineer, musician ("Strange Days" on film soundtrack; "Days of the Summer") Universal Republic Nakia Drown In The Crimson Tide Producer, writer, musician ("Walking On A Slant") Something Music Judith Hill 20 Feet from Stardom soundtrack Producer, writer, engineer, musician ("Desperation") Columbia Records2012 Maroon 5 Overexposed Producer, writer, musician ("Man Who Never Lied") A&M/Octone Judith Hill Spike Lee's Red Hook Summer soundtrack Producer, writer, engineer, musician ("Desperation") 40 Acres and a Mule Musicworks K'Naan Country, God or the Girl Producer, writer, engineer, musician ("Bulletproof Pride" featuring Bono, "Simple," "70 Excuses") A&M/Octone2011 Paper Tongues Paper Tongues Producer, writer, engineer, musician ("Ride To California," "Trinity," "Get Higher," "For the People," "Love Like You") A&M/Octone Marlon Roudette Matter Fixed Producer, writer, engineer, musician ("Storyline") Universal Germany Alysha Brillinger Forthcoming album Producer, writer, engineer, musician ("Better Soon," "Boy Ho," "Sorry") Lava/Universal He Met Her Forthcoming album Producer, writer, engineer, musician ("Be Ok," "Moon Cafe") Awolnation Megalithic Symphony Producer, writer, engineer, musician ("Kill Your Heroes") Red Bull Records Darren Hayes (singer of Savage Garden) Secret Codes and Battleships Producer, writer, engineer, musician ("Cruel Cruel World," "Explode," "Tiny Little Flashlights") 2010 Bonnie PinkDear Diary Producer, engineer, musician ("World Peace") Warner Music Japan2009 Nelly Furtado Mi Plan Producer ("Sueños" featuring Alejandro Fernández) Universal Music Latino K'Naan Troubadour Producer, writer, engineer, musician (11 tracks) A&M/Octone Bonnie Pink One Producer, engineer, musician ("Mo-So-Lover," "Play and Pause," "Get on the Bus") Warner Music Japan2006 Stacie Orrico Beautiful Awakening Producer, writer, engineer, musician ("Beautiful Awakening) Virgin Records Philosopher Kings Castles Member, writer, musician, producer, engineer (14 tracks) Sony BMG Canada2005 K'Naan The Dusty Foot Philosopher Producer, writer, engineer, musician (10 tracks) Sony BMG Esthero Wikked Lil' Grrrls Producer, writer, engineer, musician ("O.G. Bitch," "Junglebook" featuring Andre 3000) Reprise/WEA2004 Various Artists Perfecto Chills Vol. 2 Producer, writer, remixer ("Try" by Nelly Furtado featuring the Kronus Quartet) Thrive Records2003 Nelly Furtado Folklore Producer, writer, engineer, musician (10 tracks) DreamWorks Kazzer The Italian Job soundtrack Writer ("Pedal to the Medal") Paramount Pictures2000 Nelly Furtado Whoa, Nelly! Producer, writer, engineer, musician (11 tracks, including "I'm Like a Bird" and "Turn Off the Light") DreamWorks1997 Philosopher Kings Famous, Rich and Beautiful Member, musician, writer (13 tracks) Sony BMG Canada1994 Philosopher Kings Philosopher Kings Member, musician, writer (12 tracks) Sony BMG Canada
Awards and nominations Grammy Awards 2013 – Best Pop Vocal Album (Maroon 5, Overexposed): Nominated 2002 – Producer of the Year, Non-Classical: Nominated
Latin Grammy Awards 2010 – Best Female Pop Vocal Album (Nelly Furtado, Mi Plan): Won
Juno Awards 2010 – Artist of the Year (K'Naan): Won 2006 – Rap Recording of the Year (K'Naan, The Dusty Foot Philosopher): Won 2004 – Single of the Year (Nelly Furtado, "Powerless (Say What You Want)"): Won 2001 – Best Producer: WonJuno Awards of 2001 2001 – Best Single (Nelly Furtado, "I'm Like a Bird"): Won 2001 – Best New Solo Artist (Nelly Furtado): Won 1996 – Best New Group (The Philosopher Kings): WonJuno Awards of 1996
SOCAN Awards 2010 – SOCAN Award for No. 1 song (K'Naan, "Take a Minute"): Won
References
External links Brian West discography on Discogs.com Sweetwesty.com: Brian West official website