Origin Toronto, ON, Canada Years active 1994–present | Name Brian West Role Record producer | |
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Also known as Sweet Westy, Field from Track & Field Born March 12, 1971 (age 53)
Sarnia, Canada ( 1971-03-12 ) Genres pop, rock, alternative, hip hop, folk, world Occupation(s) Record producer, songwriter, musician Associated acts Nelly Furtado, Awolnation, K'naan, Maroon 5 Music groups The Philosopher Kings, Cherry Poppin' Daddies (1989 – 1996) Awards Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award Albums Ferociously Stoned, Kids on the Street, Famous - Rich and Beautiful, Rapid City Muscle Car, The Philosopher Kings Profiles |
Brian West (born March 12, 1971) is a Canadian record producer, songwriter, and musician. Formerly of the production team Track and Field as well as Canadian band The Philosopher Kings, 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. He is based in Los Angeles. West has been nominated for an Academy Award, two Grammy Awards and has won seven Juno Awards.
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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, 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. 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: Salted Wound sung by Sia, 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.
Awards and nominations
Grammy Awards
Latin Grammy Awards
Juno Awards
SOCAN Awards