MERIDIANWEST at Antones

Parish Show Review

By alistdavid

as seen on Austin360.com

Some great acts — Kristin Leigh, Jonathan Clay and headliner Meridian West — came together Thursday night at The Parish. Kristin Leigh warmed up the crowd. She’s a poet/songwriter with a great voice. Her latest offering is the “Kristen Leigh Project,” featuring songs that are a solid blend of pop with some Texas songwriter mystique mixed in. She has lots of potential, so keep an eye — and ear — open for her in the future. It’s only a matter of time till she signs a deal. Jonathan Clay is well-known nationally for his work on MTV’s “The Real World,” which helps attract listeners to live shows. The crowd was not disappointed with his set featuring ballads and great rock vocals.

The evening finished up with Austin’s own MeridianWest. How come these guys aren’t with a big label? Until that happens, this is one of the great, accessible Austin rock bands you should see this band while ticket prices are still reasonable.

MWEST "Live" at the PARISH Ballroom

As I vocally warmed up with a cheap keyboard that I have had since I was 14, I heard the crowd cheering from outside the green room. At that moment I realized that in the two years we have been a band we have never had a show like this. Yeah, we have packed out some local bars in Austin, but never have we been the headliner at an actual music venue. The great light show and a massive screen that played videos synced up to our songs only added to the grandness of this show. I could tell that it was a defining moment in our career. It was a small taste of the type of shows we will be playing next year.

When David, Ryan, and I stepped on the stage, I felt like my entire body became numb. The show seemed to go by like the flashes of memories a movie character sees before they die. And that is exactly how a show like this goes. It is born. It is beautiful. Then it passes. I am honored to have shared this show with such a great audience. They lifted us up to a level we can only reach with their grace. It was also an honor to share the stage with my band mates, my friends, Ryan and David. I won’t ever forget that night.

~Mark

MERIDIANWEST

MERIDIANWEST in SPIN Magazine

Check out MERIDIANWEST in the December Issue of SPIN Magazine. MWEST appeared at the Belvedere Lounge for the ACL Festival hosted by SPIN Magazine. We were asked to play an acoustic set at the opening day of the lounge that was set up at the Hotel San Jose.