Way Out West

Way Out West

Way Out West is a UK electronic duo from Bristol, formed in 1994 by Nick Warren and Jody Wisternoff. The pair work in dance and electronica, with a sound rooted in progressive house, trance, breakbeat and house. They begin as a remix-oriented project, but adopt the name for their main act after early studio collaborations.

Formation and early releases

Wisternoff and Warren first work together after being introduced in Bristol and quickly find a shared musical direction. Their earliest collaboration appears under the name Sub-version 3 on the track “Paradise is the Sound”. Later releases appear under the name Echo, with the best-known versions labelled “Way Out West Mix”.

The duo sign to Deconstruction in 1994 after independent releases such as “Shoot” and “Montana” attract attention. Their early singles include “Ajare”, which reaches number 62 in the UK singles chart, and “Domination”. “The Gift” follows and reaches number 15, helping establish them as one of the leading UK house acts. “Blue”, a more melodic trip-hop-influenced track, is released in 1997 and is also reissued with new remixes by the duo and Brothers in Rhythm.

Albums and later work

Their first self-titled album, Way Out West, appears in 1997. It includes tracks such as “King of the Funk” and “Sequoia”, and is followed by live activity across Europe, including appearances at Glastonbury Festival, an MTV party in Amsterdam, and MIDEM in France.

After BMG removes the duo from its roster in 2000, Distinctive Records signs them to a three-album deal. Their second album, Intensify, follows in 2001. It includes the title track, featuring Ally Kennen, and the single “Mindcircus” with Tricia Lee Kelshall, which reaches number 39 in the UK singles chart, number 1 in the UK dance chart, and number 15 in the US dance chart. “Stealth”, featuring Kirsty Hawkshaw, is another single from the album.

Their third album, Don’t Look Now, arrives in 2004 and features vocalist Omi on several tracks. It expands their progressive style towards more conventional song structures while also including a mix CD, reflecting their continuing work as DJs.

In 2009 they release We Love Machine on Hope Recordings and Armada. The album includes “Only Love”, featuring Jonathan Mendelsohn, which is their first collaboration with a male vocalist. It also marks a direct-order deluxe edition through their own website.

DJ careers and related work

Both Warren and Wisternoff continue to work as DJs both separately and together under the Way Out West name. Wisternoff also releases solo material, including Cold Drink, Hot Girl and Nostalgia in 2006. Warren contributes to Global Underground releases and works with Hope Records in an A&R role. He also records with American DJ Jimmy Van M on the track “One And Only”.

Media use and recognition

The group’s music appears in television as well: “Don’t Forget Me” is used in season 2 of Grey’s Anatomy, and a loop of “The Gift” is used for the title theme of True Life.