Q&A: UT Students West 22nd Are Making Indie-Rock Waves with Their ACL Debut and Rising Stardom
FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS ON THE FORTY ACRES TO THE TITO’S STAGE AT AUSTIN CITY LIMITS, West 22nd is quickly becoming one of the most exciting indie-rock acts in the country. The five-piece band, composed of Gabe Acevedo, Logan Madsen, Jet Beck, Jeremy Ancheta, and Douglas Blatt, has taken the Austin music scene by storm with their high-energy performances and feel-good rock sound.
Now seniors at the University of Texas, these soon-to-be graduates are showing no signs of slowing down. With over 3 million streams and headline shows across the U.S., West 22nd is marking their ACL debut as the next step in their meteoric rise. Fresh off a slew of major performances and with new music on the horizon, they’re positioning themselves as a band to watch as they prepare to take their sound to the next level.
We caught up with the band after their ACL set to chat their live sets, new music and more.
LUNA: You guys just had your ACL debut. How are you feeling?
WEST 22ND: We’re feeling amazing! I think that was the best show we’ve played so far—energy-wise, crowd-wise, everything went as well as it could have. It was great.
LUNA: It’s tough when you’ve got that early Sunday slot, but the crowd showed up!
WEST 22ND: Yeah, the timing wasn’t ideal, but people showed up even in the heat. Thank goodness for the tent.
LUNA: Everyone was ready to dance! You’ve played a lot of shows—festivals, headlining slots, and everything in between. How do you approach setting up for these different sets, like your ACL set versus a headlining show?
WEST 22ND: We try to do the same thing every time—just be ourselves. That’s hard when you’re playing on the biggest stage we’ve ever been on, but it only made things better. We definitely worked harder for this set.
We always say before a show, “It’s just another gig.” Whether it’s one person in the crowd or a full tent like at ACL, we bring the same energy.
LUNA: New music is on the way for next year - what can you tell me in terms of sonic direction and themes?
WEST 22ND: We’re still polishing everything and will dive into the writing process once ACL wraps up. We’ll be recording with Matt Pence in the winter, hoping to release in the spring and then tour all summer. Sonically, it’s got bits and pieces of what we’ve done before but with a new vibe. We call it “carousel rock”—kind of folky, poppy alternative rock. We believe this is the best music we’ve written so far.
LUNA: How has your creative process evolved on this project compared to when first started?
WEST 22ND: We’ve gotten better at knowing what we want out of songs and letting them develop naturally. Our process is still the same—one of us comes up with an idea, we build the structure, and the band jumps in to add ideas. The songs are constantly evolving until they’re recorded.
We recently recorded a track that was half-formed and ended up coming up with stuff on the spot. It was a really fun session, and we hope to carry that energy into the album sessions.
LUNA: It takes a lot of unspoken communication when you’re working closely like that. The longer you’re together, the more you pick up on each other’s vibes.
WEST 22ND: Absolutely. We’ve definitely improved at that!
LUNA: Shifting gears a bit, you guys have embraced social media in a way that connects with your community. What advice would you give to up-and-coming artists who aren’t sure how to approach it?
WEST 22ND: It’s hard to avoid social media. It’s important, no matter what kind of music you’re making. But it’s not everything—the most important thing is making real connections with fans. They’re the ones who buy tickets and come to your shows, so focus on that experience.
Be authentic to your sound and brand. Don’t follow trends just for the sake of it. We’ve tried that before, and it doesn’t feel right. Now we’re focused on being ourselves and staying true to our style.
LUNA: What are your plans for the rest of the year?
WEST 22ND: We’ve got two more shows in the fall, and we’re going to Nashville for the first time, but after that, we’re focused on writing and recording this next project. And then we’re graduating - finally!
LUNA: Last question—Mu Dang or pesto?
WEST 22ND: Mu Dang. Actually, Pesto is up there. Pesto would beat Mu Dang in a fight.
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