Kevin Bronson on February 27th, 2014

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We have no idea what to make of all the debate about “authenticity” in roots music these days, but it isn’t going out on a limb to venture that L.A. quintet the Far West is doing right. They are five guys who paid their dues in myriad other bands and who joke that their music is inspired by a lot of W’s – you know, Waylon, Willie, Woody and Wilco. The Far West’s sophomore album “Any Day Now” came out this week via Medina River Records, the San Antonio-born label that is being resuscitated in L.A. after a seven-year hiatus. The band – singer-guitarist Lee Briante, guitarist Aaron Baker, bassist Robert Black, keyboardist James Williams and drummer Travis Popichak – coaxes a wary optimism out of its tightly drawn Americana, with Briante’s vocals earning comparisons to the likes of Townes Van Zandt and John Prine. It’s music you can bawl to or brawl to (in the friendliest possible way, naturally), and it’s no wonder the Far West has become a favorite at the Grand Ole Echo (where the video for “The Bright Side,” above, was filmed). It’s nice to have find the Heartland in La-La Land.

||| Download: “Hudson Valley”

||| Live: The Far West and Rod Melancon (along with the Walcotts and Calico) play the Satellite on Saturday night as part of the Medina River Records launch night.