Hartford, CT-based act West End Blend is excited to premiere the music video for their latest funk mantra “Smile” off new EP Say Hey!. The 10-piece funk-soul machine is currently amidst their winter tour, and they have just released the rest of their upcoming dates to go along with the group’s latest music video.
Lead singer Erica Bryan gave us some insight into her inspiration behind the lyrics of the track, saying, “It’s funny how our craziest emotional states can inspire some of our favorite, most straightforward writing. At the time I wrote ‘Smile,’ I was struggling with some personal frustration, pretty unsure how to deal, questioning people’s honesty…all of that good stuff. So, of course, it ended up in a song.
She continues, “It’s literally about getting over those everyday hurdles, big and small, one step at a time. So this one was less about metaphors, more about putting things in perspective, and repeating ‘Smile…get over’ like a mantra. Because yeah, ‘if this is all [that’s] left keeping me down,’ then honestly, I gotta get over.”
“Smile” is a high-energy, funk-fueled attack led by Bryan’s strong vocal performance. Check out the official video for the song below:
Don’t miss West End Blend on the road throughout the year! Check out their tour schedule below, and visit their official website for all the details.
West End Blend Winter Tour Dates
1/19 – Syracuse, NY – Funk n Waffles
1/20 – Canton, NY – Java Barn
1/21 – Stratton, VT – Grizzly’s
2/2 – Somerville, MA – Thunder Road Music Club
2/3 – Burlington, VT – Nectar’s
2/4 – Bromley, VT – Bromley Ski Resort
2/9 – Nashua, NH – The Riverwalk
2/10 – Saratoga Springs, NY – Putnam Den w/ Gang of Thieves
2/11 – Saranac Lake, NY – The Waterhole w/ Bella’s Bartok
2/15 – Philadelphia, PA – Silk City
2/16 – Washington DC – Gypsy Sally’s w/ Big Mean Sound Machine
2/17 – Wilkes-Barre, PA – River Street Jazz Cafe
2/23 – Baltimore, MD – The 8×10 w/ John Ginty Band
2/24 – Brooklyn, NY – The Hall w/ Vinegar Mother
2/25 – Stratton, VT – Grizzly’s
3/3 – Greenfield, MA – The Root Cellar
3/4 – New Market, NH – The Stone Church w/ Broca’s Area
3/10 – New Haven, CT – Pacific Standard Tavern w/ Root Shock
3/16 – Rochester, NY – Flour City Station w/ Upward Groove
3/17 – Buffalo, NY – Nietzsche’s
3/18 – Pittsburgh, PA – James Street Ballroom
3/24 – Harrisburg, PA – River City Blues Club