West entertains SMC students
KATIE RAND
News Writer
Singer, songwriter and guitarist Matthew West performed at Saint Mary's Thursday at Dalloway's. Saint Mary's was one of the many colleges in the Midwest that West has entertained this year. West said he enjoys the college atmosphere.
"Being a recent graduate I'm at home in front of college students and it's like we speak the same language," said West.
West caught the ear of a music business executive right before his junior year of college. After he graduated in 1999, he moved to Nashville. Before he had even lived in Music City USA for a month, he had signed a professional songwriting deal with World Music Publishing.
He has continued to write and perform his own music for audiences at colleges, clubs and coffee houses throughout the Midwest since then.
"Hopefully I'll get a bit more well known and can start playing at bigger places, and then I'll get a band, but for now this is great," West said after his show. He is currently touring with only a drummer.
Students who attended the show were given coupons for a free coffee, soda or hot cocoa during the performance, and a table in the back was set up for students to make Rice Krispy treats.
"I guess this is the kind of thing you can only do at a girl's college," West said. "At an all guys school what would they have a make your own Ramen Noodle night."
Throughout the performance, West interacted with the listeners, telling personal little stories and asking questions.
West played mostly songs from his new album, "Sellout," along with a few of his older songs and two by popular artists Train and Tracy Chapman.
Most of the songs on "Sellout" are upbeat like the title track, in which he sings, "I don't act like everyone, I march to the beat of a different drum."
In "Mr. James," West sings, "Time goes by, just like yesterday used to be tomorrow, time goes by."
Most of his songs are written from past life experiences, like "Love Has No Walls," about his childhood as the son of a minister.
During the concert he also had a giveaway time in which listeners answered questions to win prizes.
West's tour continues with stops at colleges around Indiana and surrounding states.
All News Stories for Monday, September 17, 2001
