Westkust
{{Short description|Swedish band}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Westkust
| image =
| image_size =
| landscape =
| alt =
| caption =
| alias =
| origin = Gothenburg, Sweden
| genre = Indie rock, shoegaze, dream pop
| years_active = {{start date|2010}}–{{end date|2023}}
| label = {{URL|www.luxxury.se|Luxury}}, Run for Cover
| associated_acts = Makthaverskan
| website = {{URL|http://westkust.bandcamp.com/}}
| current_members =
| past_members = *Julia Bjernelind
- Philip Söderlind
- Pär Carlsson
- Brian Cukrowski
- Rikard Hjort
- Gustav Andersson
- Hugo Randulv
}}
Westkust was a Swedish rock band from Gothenburg, Sweden. Formed in 2010, the band originally consisted of Julia Bjernelind (vocals), Brian Cukrowski (guitar), Philip Söderlind (drums) and Rikard Hjort (bass) before being joined by Makthaverskan members Gustav Andersson (guitar/vocals) and Hugo Randulv (bass/guitar) the following year.
The band put out two albums: Last Forever (2015) and Westkust (2019), undergoing significant lineup changes in between as Hjort, Andersson and Randulv all departed. On 7 January 2023, Westkust announced its breakup on Facebook.{{Cite web |last=Lindqvist |first=Johan |date=2023-01-08 |title=Göteborgsband lägger ned efter tolv år |url=https://www.gp.se/1.89471792 |access-date=2023-01-08 |website=gp.se |language=sv}}
History
Westkust began in 2010 without a consistent lineup or sound. In 2011, the band added Hugo Randulv and Gustav Andersson of the post-punk band Makthaverskan and finalized their lineup. They released their first EP, titled Junk EP in 2012 via Luxury. The following year, they released a 7" titled Summer 3D/Weekends.{{cite web|last1=Andel|first1=Autumn|title=Stream 'Summer 3D/Weekends' Double Single From Westkust|url=http://www.prefixmag.com/news/stream-summer-3dweekends-double-single-westkust/74697/|publisher=Prefix Magazine|accessdate=15 June 2015}}
On 2 March 2015, Westkust premiered their single Swirl from their then upcoming debut studio album.{{cite web|last1=Claymore|first1=Gabriela|title=Westkust – "Swirl" (Stereogum Premiere)|date=2 March 2015|url=http://www.stereogum.com/1784168/westkust-swirl-stereogum-premiere/mp3s/|publisher=Stereogum|accessdate=15 June 2015}} The album, titled Last Forever, was released on April 22, 2015, in Scandinavia and was released in the United States on July 10, 2015, via Run for Cover.{{cite web|last1=Sacher|first1=Andrew|title=Makthaverskan side project Westkust releasing debut LP on Run for Cover (stream a track)|date=3 March 2015 |url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2015/03/makthaverskan_s.html|publisher=Brooklyn Vegan|accessdate=15 June 2015}}{{cite web|title=Westkust - Last Forever|url=http://www.thrdcoast.com/listen/2015/5/4/westkust-last-forever|publisher=Third Coast|accessdate=15 June 2015}} The band began writing their second album in 2016, but Hjort first left the band followed by both Makthaverskan members Andersson and Randulv.{{Cite web |last=Gordon |first=Arielle |title=Westkust: Westkust |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/westkust-westkust/ |access-date=2023-01-08 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}} The band replaced them with guitarist Brian Cukrowski and bassist Pär Carlsson, with Bjernelind becoming the band's sole vocalist and also playing guitar.{{Cite web |last=Lindqvist |first=Johan |date=2019-03-01 |title=Westkust är pepp på Oceanen - sedan väntar Europa |url=https://www.gp.se/1.13772513 |access-date=2023-01-08 |website=gp.se |language=sv}} Westkust's self-titled second album was released on 1 March 2019 via Run for Cover as its first label Luxury Records disintegrated.
On 7 January 2023, the band announced that it had broken up on Facebook.
Band members
= Final lineup =
- Julia Bjernelind — vocals, guitar (2010–2023)
- Philip Söderlind — drums (2010–2023)
- Brian Cukrowski — guitar (2010–2011, 2019–2023)
- Pär Carlsson — bass (2019–2023)
= Former members =
- Rikard Hjort — guitar, bass (2010–2016)
- Gustav Andersson — vocals, guitar (2011–2016)
- Hugo Randulv — guitar, bass (2011–2016)
Discography
=Studio albums=
- Last Forever (2015, Luxury and Run For Cover)
- Westkust (2019, Run For Cover)
=EPs and singles=
- "Junk EP" (2012, Luxury)
- "Summer 3D" / "Weekends" (2013, Luxury)