The Far West and Dave Alvin Bring Raw Americana Energy to the Screen with “Hope I Don’t Bleed”
The Far West came together in Southern California when singer-guitarist Lee Briante’s late-night Craigslist brought together bassist-songwriter Robert Black, guitarist Aaron Bakker, keyboardist Michael Whiteside, and drummer Brian Bachman.
United by a shared love for raw, honest songwriting, they forged a sound that fuses classic country storytelling with punk-rock spontaneity. Their early albums, 2011’s self-titled debut and 2014’s “Any Day Now,” were recorded in unconventional spaces like an American Legion hall and a vintage hot-rod shop, capturing the band’s first-take energy and unfiltered spirit, a punk rock ethos, as Black once described it, that still defines their identity.
The Far West has earned praise from respected outlets as one of Americana’s most authentic acts. Their latest record, “Everything We Thought We Wanted,” released under the Blackbird Record Label, chronicles years of perseverance through parenthood, lost recordings, and even a wildfire that nearly destroyed their studio.
Partly recorded during late-night sessions at a local audio engineering school and completed in guitarist Aaron Bakker’s Altadena studio during the pandemic, the album broadens their sonic palette with contributions from the Hollywood Horns, Nic Chaffee, and Katie Stratton (The What Four). Drawing influences from Hank Williams and The Byrds to the soulful sounds of Stax Records and Muscle Shoals, The Far West continues to captivate audiences with songs grounded in grit, melody, and lived experience.
Now, The Far West returns with a new single and video, “Hope I Don’t Bleed,” featuring legendary guitarist Dave Alvin, who brought his signature edge to the track after sharing the stage with the band during a previous tour with Dave and Phil Alvin. The song captures their signature blend of Americana infused with the spirit of punk or, as the band likes to say, “painful songs you can dance to.”
Raspy melodies intertwine with the hypnotic vocals, giving the track an ethereal, almost timeless quality. The guitars hit hard and never let up. It feels like old-school rock and roll, something straight out of the ’70s, but instead of sounding dated, it makes the track stand out from the crowd.
Speaking about the song’s backstory, Briante recalls, “There are some interesting tidbits… we were on tour with Dave & Phil Alvin and got up the courage to ask Dave to join us on stage one night in Boston. After we came off that tour, we asked him to join us in the studio. He said ‘ok’ and gave us a date… As luck would have it, my son was born the night before the session, but I didn’t want to jeopardize missing the session or have to reschedule with Dave and maybe lose the chance… so my wife kindly told me to go ahead to the studio, and I left her and my newborn in the hospital while Dave ripped a solo for us.”
The video is just as captivating, a charismatic animation reminiscent of John Kricfalusi’s early Ren and Stimpy work. The band appears as zombie-like figures performing in a surreal landscape filled with strange creatures and monsters, making it a perfect fit for the lingering spooky season.
“Hope I Don’t Bleed” is a welcome surprise, one of the most compelling tracks we’ve heard this year. The Far West proves that rock still thrives when bands dare to embrace an old-school vibe while making it entirely their own. Give them a listen. You won’t regret it.
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