Golden West pairs the powerhouse, twangy vocals of Kim Virant with the searing guitar work of Kathy Moore. Rooted in a gritty, blues-inflected songwriting style with influences ranging from Neil Young to Dolly Parton, the Seattle-based band forges its own path through rock, country, and Americana.

Kathy’s Midwest upbringing and religious background, paired with Kim’s itinerant military childhood, shape songs that are feisty, driving, and often tongue-in-cheek. Kathy’s guitar prowess and Kim’s soulful delivery make for a combustible sound — together, they bring the rock.

Both women are established fixtures in the Seattle music scene. Kim’s roots run deep, from her early days in Lazy Susan to fronting her own band and opening for Pearl Jam, Page & Plant, X, and Joan Jett. Kathy is known for playing that’s raw, melodic, and emotionally charged, having worked with Shawn Smith and Wayne Horvitz — and, being Seattle, they’ve both crossed paths with Mike McCready. Golden West was born from a desire to build something bigger than another side project: a platform that also promotes and supports the women of the Seattle scene.

Live, the band is rounded out by Rebecca Young on bass, Aimee Zoe on drums, multi-instrumentalist Emily Harris, and Patrick Porter on pedal steel.