There’s Texas—and then there’s West Texas. You can leave it behind, but you can’t ever truly let it go. Nobody knows that better than the newly formed West Texas Exiles. Born of a deep love for music and a restless urge to escape their small-town roots, this powerhouse collective found each other in Austin.

With a debut EP already making waves, the Exiles are no rookies. They bring a deep catalog and seasoned songwriting chops, thanks to frontmen Marco Gutierrez (Dirty River Boys), Daniel Davis, and Colin Gilmore—each a distinct voice rooted in rugged, soulful storytelling. They’re backed by bassist and producer Eric Harrison and renowned drummer Trinidad Leal (Dirty River Boys, Dixie Witch, Grady, Honky).

Their sound? Think The Flatlanders meets Jason Isbell, Buddy Holly blended with Augustana—a modern take on the Lone Star vernacular that’s both grounded and freewheeling. It’s the rhythm of the road, the poetry of open skies, and the pulse of a land that refuses to sit still.

Their first single, “New Moon Foe,” launched alongside a regional tour in May 2022, followed by the haunting “Hotel Tomorrow,” steeped in the ghostly echoes of Southwestern Americana. But it’s “Exile”—the title track—that lays out the band’s manifesto: not just a farewell to where they’ve been, but a bold ride toward whatever lies ahead. “While I still got my boots on my feet,” they sing, setting their sights on new horizons.