Austin, TX based West 22nd recently released their latest single, “Let Down,” a profound exploration of personal struggles and introspection. In this feature, delve into the evocative narrative behind the track as the band shares insights into its creation. Learn how the vibrant music culture of Austin, TX has shaped their sound and journey as musicians, and discover the inspiration behind their poignant lyrics. Join us as we unravel the essence of West 22nd’s music, their influence on the local scene, and their upcoming ventures, including appearances at SXSW. Stay tuned for an immersive journey into the world of West 22nd and the compelling stories woven into their captivating compositions.
How did you first meet?
Logan and Jeremy lived together on West 22nd and started jamming in early 2022. They soon met Gabe who was playing open mics around campus to try and find bandmates. The three bonded over shared music interests and ambitions and put up flyers all over campus/off campus to find their first bassist and drummer. The lineup is currently Logan Madsen, Gabe Acevedo, Jeremy Ancheta, Douglas Blatt, and the newest member on bass Jet Beck.
How has Austin influenced you?
Austin has been everything to the band’s style and we owe a lot of our success to the music culture and community of Austin. We were able to form very quickly because you practically walk down the street here and start to meet other musicians left and right and before you know it you’re in the music scene. UT parties and official events like Battle of the Bands and Forty Acres fest built our foundational audience of our college peers, and the many music venues of Austin have helped us to get reps of playing live almost every week for an entire year. Most recently, we were official SXSW artists which feels like a big step in becoming a true Austin band. There’s still much that we can learn and achieve in Austin, and we hope that we are giving back by keeping Austin a music town.
Could you delve into the inspiration behind your latest single, “Let Down”?
The song is a commentary on how a person or the people they love can be faced with the issue of returning to old vices and damaging cyclical behavior that inhibits their relationships with others or themselves. The inspiration comes from real relationship issues from the past that the song encapsulates in its storytelling and musical dynamics.
If you could choose an ideal setting for a fan to listen to “Let Down,” where would it be?
The ideal setting for me would be in the car for sure. Driving and listening to music is one of the most therapeutic things in my opinion. The song can either be a sad song to some or a happy song to others, so I think being in the car allows you to feel whatever way you want to feel (and I just think music sounds better in a car haha).
Check out our TinyMic interview with West22nd.
