WEST SPRINGFIELD – Cars Go West, a quartet from West Springfield, have released their first album entitled “(Be).”

With Jimmy Oliver on drums, Donovan Descant and Craig Buddenhagen on guitar, and Dan Callahan on bass and as vocalist, the West Side natives have been Cars Go West since they were in high school in 2014. Oliver shared, “Having improved a lot as musicians since then, this past year has been the most productive since our formation in terms of performing and recording.”

Forming a friendship first has only added to the chemistry Cars Go West has in their music. As Oliver said, “By playing so long with each other, we’ve really been able to learn one another’s styles and blend them all together to make something we find really cool.”

Oliver shared that releasing “(Be)” has been an exciting experience. “It’s such a good feeling! Listening back to the songs and just being like, ‘Wow, I helped make that’ is an incredible feeling,” he said.

The band describes their sound as “An indie alternative outfit” with influences ranging from The Beatles and Beach Boys to Radiohead and Phish. The psychedelic sounds of Cars Go West translate their 60s influences fluently and incorporate the modern sounds of alternative rock with ease.

Oliver described “(Be)” as “an eclectic blend between the Beatles, the Grateful Dead and contemporary indie rock, along with a plethora of our other musical influences.”

Oliver continued, sharing, “It’s different because it brings together a variety of different musical styles into one, making an album that you can chill out to or dance to. It’s something that’s hard to define as one specific genre, but rather a bunch of different sounds melting together into one.”

“(Be)” was released officially by Cars Go West on Dec. 26 and features 13 original tracks. Previously, the band had released the single “Wolfman,” which can be found on “(Be).” Cars Go West also previously released a three track EP entitled “Plymouth Memorial Shark.” The release of a full-length album is a first time accomplishment for the group.

Oliver said, “I think we’re all very proud of what we made, and we just hope that listeners can hear the love and hard work we put into it.” Though the entire band dedicated their passions to “(Be),” Oliver credits Buddenhagen with the necessary work to make the final product. “Craig definitely has to take a lot of the credit though. He’s the one who spent hours upon hours recording and mixing the album to turn it into the final product it is,” he said.

The quartet has performed a number of live shows including a set at Luthier’s Co-op in Easthampton and The Fermented Crepe in Willimantic. Oliver shared that performing live is one of the most rewarding experiences of being a part of Cars Go West. “The best feeling in the world for me is looking up from my drum kit and seeing people in the crowd smiling, dancing or even sometimes singing along with our music. It’s an overwhelming sense of pride and a huge confidence booster because you know that, for that one moment in time, you’re bringing joy to that person’s life. It really is a feeling like none other,” he said.

With the start of 2019, Oliver told Reminder Publishing that he hopes to see the band realize their dreams and accomplish even more. “Music is the one thing that the four of us are truly passionate about, so to make a living from our music would be an absolute dream come true,” he said.

Before 2020, the band has one specific goal that Oliver shared, “For 2019, our goal is to play a total of 50 shows. It seems lofty, but we feel that with our hard work and sacrifice, we can achieve that.”

Oliver said that the band has a dream of headlining a show at the Iron Horse in Northampton. Longtime fans of the venue, Oliver shared, “We’ve all been to dozens of shows there, so to be up on that stage for a change would be awesome.”

The band will be going into the New Year by booking shows at local locations. Oliver said, “We will be looking to book shows wherever we can. We’re currently in the process of sending booking requests to venues throughout New England. The four of us really feel like we can make something of Cars Go West, so we’re going to run with it as long as we can.”

To hear Cars Go West’s new album, “(Be),” search “Cars Go West” via Spotify or visit www. soundcloud.com/cars-go-west. To keep up to date with the band, follow their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/carsgowest or visit their website at www.carsgowest.com. For booking or contact, email westgocars@gmail.com. The band has been invited to compete in the upcoming Valley Music Showcase.