About The Band

Featuring five musicians who grew up in El Paso, Lubbock and Amarillo, the West Texas Exiles draw upon the wide-open western reaches of the Lone Star State with a wide-ranging, Americana-centered sound. Rising from the embers of the Dirty River Boys, which Marco Gutierrez co-founded in 2009, the Austin band features a triple-threat of songwriters in Gutierrez, Daniel Davis and Colin Gilmore (son of legendary Texas troubadour Jimmie Dale Gilmore), plus seasoned bassist/producer Eric Harrison and latter-day Dirty River Boys drummer Trinidad Leal. The Exiles' 2023 debut EP paved the way for their first full-length album, 8000 Days. Since its September release the album has spent weeks climbing the Americana radio charts and drawing critical praise. The recordings build upon the live chops the group has honed through a weekly residency at Austin’s legendary Continental Club plus gigs at key local events such as SXSW and Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion, as well as high-profile touring appearances at Nashville’s Americanafest, Braun Brothers Reunion and San Francisco’s Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival.

The Reviews Are In

  • "one can hear references to the Flatlanders, Blaze Foley, Willie Nelson, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and other Austin-based acts in the licks and lyrics. Again, one doesn’t need to recognize the roots to enjoy the music. Like the bluebonnet, the West Texas Exiles provide a new flowering on the already fertile soil."

    PopMatters, 8/10

  • "'8000 Days' approaches the core truths of band touchstones like Buddy Holly and the Flatlanders with fresh ears"

    Magnet Magazine

  • "On ‘8000 Days,’ the group’s debut album, the country rock sounds of the Flying Burrito Brothers meet the rock anthems of Bruce Springsteen and the bright country pop of the Eagles."

    No Depression

  • 30 Songs That Need to Be On Your Radar” ("Division" feat. Kelly Wills)

    Whiskey Riff

  • “strong songwriting in both the music and lyrics” 

    Americana UK (8/10)

  • “Its addictive melody, killer harmonies, and rhythm play out like a flashback to The Jayhawks at the top of their game.” 

    Lonesome Highway

  • “While the band tends to describe its sound as Southwestern rock ’n’ roll, you’ll also hear influences of Tejano and Conjunto, the Pogues, the British Invasion, and even New Age — capturing the breadth of music in the Lone Star State.” 

    Texas Music

  • "Music lovers who crave a laid back Americana Texas hill country crossover vibe are going to love this one." 

    Americana Highways

Videos

Contact us.

MANAGEMENT: Gold Mountain Entertainment
cwstaehly@gmemusic.com

BOOKING: Madison-House
mark@madison-house.com

PRESS: Angie Carlson | Propeller Publicity
angie@propellerpublicity.com

RADIO: Leslie Rouffe | Rouffe Co.
leslie@rouffeco.com