Meet Greenwich-born UK Open Mic performer MC Wes:

Hi MC Wes, thanks for joining us! Let’s get into it:

Do you play solo only, or also in a group?

Solo

How old are you?

45

Where were you born?

Greenwich

Where did you grow up?

London/New York

How did that place influence your music? (if at all!)

Hip hop culture v rock and roll meets punk and Reggae.

Where are you based now, and why?

London because we are savage about our music.

What got you into making music in the first place?

I was a poet and decided to see what happens when music was added.

What instrument/s do you play?

Singing
Rapping
Rapping
DJ
Music Producer
Beat Making

Who would be in your top 10 musical influences, and why?

Burt Bacharach his melodies haunt me. The Police their fusion of rock and reggae inspire me. The Beatles their melodies uplift and make me want to search for my own. Bob Marley makes me want to find my voice and write lyrics that have longevity. James Brown taught me about funky is good and simple is alright as long as you feel it. Earth Wind and Fire one of the best bands I have seen live alongside Third World and Cool and the Gang. Lastly secret love for Tori Amos, Blondie, Curtis Mayfield, Otis Reding, Stevie Wonder ,The Prodigy, Jessy J, and lastly the Notorious Biggie Smalls.

Do you write your own songs?

Yes

How many years have you been writing songs for?

20

What process, or processes, do you often find yourself using when you write songs?

Too many ways inspiration could come from an emotion or a sound or an experience. Someone does some thing or art makes you question yourself and reality. You hear a beat or a melody. I use Logic to record seriously but put ideas on my phone and periodically erase and label ideas for expansion. Once on the computer I will build a beat around the lyric and melody then it is up to God finished in a day or years later.

How long have you been playing open mic nights?

1

Why did you get into playing them in the first place?

Too much material in my own echo chamber I have a none musical partner so I had no idea what other people thought of what I was producing.

What advice would you give new performers who are just starting out playing their first open mics?

Just do it, this is step one performing in front of people is completely different from in your living room or bedroom. Crowd reaction helps you get better and let’s you know what to keep and what to work on.

What’s the hardest thing, for you, about playing open mics?

Not getting tipsy while waiting to go on, perform first drink after. You don’t sound better 😭

What’s the most bizarre, or fun, open mic, or gig, you’ve ever played, and why?

I sung Smells like teen spirit at this gig my soon to be band mate was doing that was full of bikers and next thing you know I’m up in the air being moved around the dance. I never stopped singing 🤣🤣

If it’s not already, are you hoping to make music your full-time career?

Yes

What do you currently find the hardest and biggest obstacles to moving your music career forward?

Time as I have been using other artists backing tracks so building my own is time consuming.

What’s the one truth about you that people often find surprising?

I write my own and can remember my material.

What’s the most exciting project you’re working on at the moment?

I have three tracks I’m going to release at the same time one is a love song I wrote and produced with a talented singer. The second is a reggae song and the third is a rap song.

Do you have your own music video, channel or playlist you’d like to share?

https://www.instagram.com/westrock2030?igsh=Zmk4YTV4bno0NWxk

Do you have music on streaming? What’s you main streaming channel to send people to?

https://www.instagram.com/westrock2030?igsh=Zmk4YTV4bno0NWxk

Where is the main place should people go to find out more about you?

https://www.instagram.com/westrock2030?igsh=Zmk4YTV4bno0NWxk

What other sites/profiles should people go to to find out more about you?

www.instagram.com/westrock2030?igsh=Zmk4YTV4bno0NWxk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.instagram.com/westrock2030?igsh=Zmk4YTV4bno0NWxk

We’re done! Anything else you want to share before we go?

No thanks!