From Dorm Jams to Packed Venues: The Journey of West 22nd
West 22nd is driven by a clear ambition: to achieve lasting success in the music industry. "We want to be a long-term band. Not just put out a few songs and then fizzle out," says Logan Madsen, the band’s lead singer and songwriter.
Hailing from Texas, the band has been steadily gaining traction. They have amassed over 73.2k monthly listeners on Spotify, with their hit single “Sunburns” surpassing 1.6 million streams. Influenced by a diverse range of artists like Backstreet Lovers, Arcade Fire, and Dominic Fike, West 22nd is carving out their unique sound. Their latest release, “Hangman” which dropped on July 31st, exemplifies their approach. The song blends upbeat rhythms with deep, reflective lyrics.
West 22nd is composed of five members - Logan Madsen (lead vocals), Jeremy Ancheta (lead guitar), Doug Blatt (drums), Gabe Acevedo (rythm guitar), and Jet Beck (bass). They are in their early 20s and currently in college, with a wide variety of academic interests ranging from Jazz to Finance. I had the privilege of meeting and interviewing three of the talented young men: Logan, Jeremy and Doug.
How West 22nd Came To Be:
The formation of West 22nd is a testament to a mix of good luck and unwavering determination. The band's inception traces back to two years ago when Jeremy and Logan discovered they lived in the same dorm, sparking an instant musical connection that led to frequent jam sessions. Jeremy, ever the talent scout, later met Gabe at an open mic night by their local food trucks. Recognizing Gabe's talent immediately, Jeremy invited him to join the sessions with Logan. This pivotal moment marked the true beginning of West 22nd, as the trio's chemistry and shared passion for music set the foundation for their journey together.
With the trio in place, West 22nd needed a drummer and a bassist. They put up flyers and found their first bassist, but he eventually graduated. Enter Jet Beck, a friend they met at their very first show who expressed interest in jamming with them. Jet's addition solidified the lineup, bringing the band's dynamic sound to life and setting the stage for their future success.
College Life & The Impact of Social Media:
As the boys of West 22nd are still actively pursuing their degrees, college life plays a pivotal role in their journey as a band. The academic environment, combined with their families support, provides a very productive ground for creativity and growth.
Their community is “very homegrown,” said Logan. They have friends who are film majors eager to collaborate on creative projects, enhancing their artistic output.
“The ease of access and being able to play frat shows in front of a built-in crowd, while having our families' support and getting our degrees, has been super helpful,” explains Logan.
“We're young and in our prime, we have a huge opportunity to take this as far as we can while we're 20, 21 years old,” Jeremy added.
When it comes to the band's approach to social media it has been deliberate, focusing on gradual rather than getting their next big break with a superficial viral video. “Our growth has been organic, mainly through Spotify and word of mouth,” said Logan. “Since we’re in college, we're not rushing to blow up. I'm super happy how we've grown so far.” As they continue their college journey, the band plans to keep improving their game by focusing on their music and live shows.
What keeps West 22nd Striding?
The heart of West 22nd’s motivation comes from their deep fan connections, celebration of small victories for the band, and dynamic live shows. Logan has had meaningful conversations with fans who have shared just how their music has touched their lives, especially with their hit “Sunburns.”
“There's something about writing a song that connects with people in such a cool way,” said Logan.
Doug’s motivation comes from celebrating the gradual progress of doing live shows and gaining more fan engagement. To him every show, social media view, and Spotify stream is a tiny win that keeps him energized and going.
Jeremy finds his drive in the growing size of their live audience, noting how each show feels better than the last.
“Last summer, we played in front of 15 to 60 people, and now we can pack venues in Denver, LA, and Atlanta with hundreds of fans,” he explains.
Although it's only been a few years, they’ve had a remarkable journey from playing small crowds to now playing packed rooms.
Recent LA Performance:
Speaking of their live shows, West 22nd recently performed at the Paramount in LA on July 19th. The experience was electrifying and the venue was packed with enthusiastic fans.
It was their first time using in-ear monitors. While great for isolating the mix, they also block out external sound of the fans' voices. Logan remembered that, while performing their song “Sweet,” he couldn’t hear the audience’s responses and initially thought they weren’t participating.
“I thought nobody was singing,” Logan said. He eventually removed one of the monitors and was relieved to discover that the crowd was indeed singing along enthusiastically.
Looking Ahead:
As West 22nd makes their mark with their distinctive sound and electrifying live performances, their journey is just beginning. With a clear vision to remain a long-term band and not fizzle out after a few songs, they’re set on building a lasting presence in the industry.
Their growing fan base and unwavering commitment to their craft underscore their potential for continued success. Their recent LA show highlighted the band’s energy and excitement, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what comes next. As they balance college life with their musical ambitions, one thing is clear: West 22nd is a band to watch, and their story is just beginning.
Check out the West 22nd on Spotify, Apple Music, Instagram, and TikTok!
All photos taken by Brooke Ellisor