AUSTIN, Texas (March 27, 2025) – West 22nd, the Austin-based indie rock/pop group making a name for themselves with their self-proclaimed “carousel rock” and infectious performance prowess, is announcing today that their first full-length album, Nowhere To Be, is officially releasing globally on all streaming platforms on Friday, April 4 with focus track “Virginia Highlands”. The album will also be released on vinyl in select stores soon after. The band’s album release show will take place at the Historic Scoot Inn in their current hometown of Austin, Texas on April 11, and the U.S. tour across the U.S. follows in May and June. Pre-Save the full album and focus track HERE. Tickets for the Nowhere To Be tour are on sale HERE.
The distribution of the full length LP with the focus track “Virginia Highlands” follows the release of the project’s first two, well-received singles – “Laugh it Off” in February and “Savannah” earlier this month with accompanying music videos – together amassing over 215,000 streams thus far. “Virginia Highlands” continues in the signature style of the playful, almost-college graduates – disguising heartache in a seemingly careless, ‘carousel rock’ anthem set in the quintessential scenery of their college life. “Virginia Highlands” is a garage-rock tune full of nostalgic and childish fun that reminisces on hometown experiences. It paints a vivid picture of youthful adventures, from late-night drives to lazy afternoons spent in familiar spots. The lyrics capture the feeling of embracing the simple joys of growing up, from carefree moments with friends to the familiar comforts of home.
With its warm, jangly guitars and heartfelt storytelling, “Virginia Highlands” feels like a love letter to home, childhood, and the friendships that shaped those years. Other unreleased tracks like “Can’t Help It,” “Back On Me,” and “I Wonder Why” are the project’s more reflective songs on growing up, capturing both the heartbreak and the quiet joys that come with change. “Love On The Run,” “Easy Love,” and “Save Your Soul” bring a different energy, exploring the rush of fleeting romance, the push and pull of connection, and the weight of choices made in the moment. This project is rounded out with a sense of hope and renewal in “All I Ever Wanted” and “Sun In The Sky,” which embrace the excitement of chasing dreams and stepping into the unknown. Across its 11 tracks, the album weaves together nostalgia with a sense of boundless possibility, capturing the moments that shape who we are and the roads that lie ahead.
On the inspiration behind this collection of songs that shaped their debut LP, the band explains that “the album is a reflection of our experiences, blending personal moments with universal emotions. Drawing from a wide range of influences, the songs capture feelings of longing, love, and self-discovery, while also delving into the complexities of relationships. Nostalgia runs deep throughout the album, as we reflect on how past relationships, familiar places, and memories have shaped our present selves, offering a bittersweet reminder of what once was and our uncertain yet hopeful future ahead.”
Nowhere To Be was recorded at The Echo Lab in Denton, Texas and produced by Matt Pence, known better as the drummer for Shakey Graves. This release marks the first full length album by the Austin-based group – composed of lead vocalist Logan Madsen, rhythm guitarist Gabe Acevedo, lead guitarist Jeremy Ancheta, and bassist Jet Beck – who have been making waves since their formation in 2022. Their breakout single, “Sunburns,” launched their career at a speed they weren’t anticipating – quickly amassing over 2.2 million streams on Spotify and garnering attention for the other four tracks off of their first body of work, an EP titled ‘All The Way Home,’ in 2023. This early music brought the band huge opportunities playing countless gigs in 400+ rooms in Austin and eventually across the country, opening for the likes of Remi Wolf, their debut performance at Austin City Limits Festival to a massive crowd, and more – building acclaim for their heartfelt lyrics and polished sound. Their EP currently boasts over 4.5 million streams and counting across all platforms.
The band’s name pays homage to West 22nd Street in Austin’s West Campus, where their journey began as students at The University of Texas at Austin, though they’ve already proven they are far from the average college band. As they gear up to graduate this May and follow their newfound pursuit fully, West 22nd continues to create a sound and career as unique as their origins – and they’re just getting started.
West 22nd kicks off the Nowhere to Be tour with a special album release show at the Historic Scoot Inn in Austin, Texas on April 11th. This one-off stop is followed by their multi-city tour across the U.S. from May 16th to June 18th, with support from Pretty Jane on the May 16th to June 4th shows, and from Dipsea Flower on the remaining June 6th to June 18th tour stops. The cities and dates for the Nowhere To Be tour, along with more information on the band and their forthcoming album, can be found below.
