Sexy, ambient dance grooves move under layers of synthesizers, keyboards an… Read Full Bio ↴Sexy, ambient dance grooves move under layers of synthesizers, keyboards and guitars. Hauntingly catchy vocal melodies float provocatively over the music. Merging the acoustic and the electric, mixing soulful chords with funky beats; The West Exit is a sultry blend of pop, R&B, and electronic music.

The West Exit began in the spring of 2003 as the studio project of Kevin Jenkins, a vocalist, keyboardist, and guitarist residing in Seattle, Washington. His previous musical affiliations include the bands Greg, Dim at Asia, Otis P & the Jivefunk, La Push, and Emblematic.

The West Exit's first album, Nocturne, was released in February 2004. In addition to steady local and online sales, the album has received extensive podcast exposure. The West Exit's music has also appeared in independent films and on several commercial websites and promotional media.

In the spring of 2004, a group was formed to take the music to the stage. Jenkins recruited his perpetual band mate Timothy Harper along with Nocturne contributors Shane Smith and Dave Billin for the task. Harper, a drummer and percussionist, had worked with Jenkins in live bands and studio projects since 1995. Smith provided his bass guitar talents to the album as well as the live band. Billin lent his sound design and engineering skills to the studio sessions and added his keyboard and vocal abilities to the stage show.

After a year and a half of performing in Northwest clubs and bars, Jenkins put the live show on hiatus and headed back into the studio to begin work on a new album. He retained the services of bassist Shane Smith for the recording sessions and in November 2006, The West Exit's second album, Modern Interiors, was completed. It became available for download in early 2007.

Jenkins and Smith reunited in the fall of 2008 to record The West Exit's third album, Extra Century Perception. Seattle guitarist RL Heyer lent his talents to the album as well. The new record continues in their vein of smooth, soulful electro-pop. But the stylistic elements have become more magnified and mature, with bigger beats, soaring melodies, thick harmonies, and more addictive hooks that will get your body moving. Extra Century Perception was released in November 2009.

Montreal
The West Exit Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If the story comes out, my future's in doubt
As the city sleeps
You should know me by now, you can't keep me down
With your policies

'Bout time you made up your mind
You choose to do what you wanted to
For right or for wrong

Keep calm and keep your coat on
You don't belong like you wanted to
The worse yet to come

If you wake up alone, cowed to the bone
Of the city streets
You can hide from it all up in Montreal
C'est le seul moyen

And I'll wait forever for the world to find me
And I don't believe the time will come in my life

Overall Meaning

The West Exit's song Montreal seems to be about someone who is on the run or keeping a secret, and feels that if the truth comes out about them, their future will be in doubt. This person is possibly being pursued by the authorities or someone who is trying to keep them down with "policies". The lyrics suggest that they have been given a choice to do what they want, even if it's right or wrong, but they feel like they don't belong and that the worst is yet to come.

The lyrics then take a turn and suggest that the person can escape the stress and danger of their situation by being in Montreal, where they can "hide from it all" and be safe. The final lyrics express a sense of resignation and waiting for something to happen, even if it takes forever. It seems like the person is in a tough situation, but is not willing to give up hope or give in to their circumstances.

Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of tension and danger, while also expressing a desire for escape and a hope for something better in the future.

Line by Line Meaning

If the story comes out, my future's in doubt
My future is uncertain if the truth is revealed

As the city sleeps
While everyone else is asleep

You should know me by now, you can't keep me down
You should be aware of my resilience by now and that you cannot defeat me

With your policies
Due to your rules and regulations

'Bout time you made up your mind
It's about time you made a decision

You choose to do what you wanted to
You decided to do what you desired

For right or for wrong
Regardless of whether it was morally correct or not

Keep calm and keep your coat on
Stay composed and be prepared for the worst

You don't belong like you wanted to
You do not fit in like you wished you would

The worse yet to come
The worst is yet to happen