west & ease: the name

On how west & ease came to life

I originally wrote this piece in October 2018 as I was reimagining a new home for all my writing. I wanted to give this project a name. And, being as sentimental as I am, I wanted this name to take its own life and just be that—a name. Now that Voice Notes has come to fruition; it felt fitting to bring this piece back for those coming along for the journey to learn of the genesis of west & ease.

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The meaning

Names give objects life. Names help us remember the who along with the what. A name can become iconic, ephemeral, meaningful, and utterly meaningless.

west & ease has quite a few meanings. The name was dreamt up while lying in bed as I scrolled through my Spotify playlist. There were two songs that I added a long time ago that resonated.

The songs

First, Andromeda by Kelsey Bulkin intended to signal a rebirth of Kelsey, but this song is also releasing the grief of the unexpected end to Made in Heights, the musical duo she was a part of before going solo. It's beautiful, galactic, and emotional. 

The second song is Traveling Song by Ryn Weaver. Dedicated to her grandfather Max, this song was about "loving someone who is very far away from you." It's emotional, raw, weaved in with lessons from her grandfather and a farewell. 

Both songs came into my life at a very distinct time. And whenever I hear the songs, it brings me back to a point in my life where I remember knowing nothing at all, being afraid, but also willing to put in my all.

The words

While "Andromeda" was too distinct of a word to use in a name, Ryn Weaver's song had the word "ease" in a line:

“A traveling song to ease the ride and so you know”

I fell in love with the word "ease" for a couple of reasons. First, I love the way lowercase "e" looks, and that ease has the letters beautifully balanced on both ends. Ease also means to relieve or to move gradually, gently. Whether it's design, life, or solving problems, I believe in easing into it all. For others and for myself.

And of course, in Andromeda, Kelsey references "Miss California," which I found appropriate as a reference for my home state. This led me to an exploration of my life and experiences on the West and East Coasts.

However, I didn't like to think directionally or one way, such as the phrase "West to East."

I believe in "yes, and." 

If you're familiar with improv techniques, "yes, and" is a method that allows you to be more open-minded to ideas, questions, and answers by responding with "yes, and..."

The now

And thus, west & ease is born. 

We'll never know if a name really matters. All I know is that this name is special to me. It was born through a process of reflection, loosely tied to something distinct in my life and, ultimately, most meaningful to me.

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For more about these songs:

• Atwood Magazine's Today's Song: On Kelsey Bulkin's "Andromeda," Personal Galaxies are to be Conquered" 

• Mashable's take on Ryn Weaver's Touching Tribute to her Grandfather