WHO THE F*CK IS WEST GURA?
At 21 years old, West Gura is already balancing a budding music career and college life, all while staying true to his artistry. Born and raised in LA, West is currently in his 3rd year at Drexel University in Philadelphia, studying music business. Over the summer, he was interning for OSV Projects, a management company with a roster full of exciting talents like Malcolm Todd, Rocco, and KIDSNOT$AINTS. We caught up over Zoom as West sat in his sunlit bedroom back in LA, home for the summer, to discuss his musical journey, upcoming releases, and building a community around his art.
When did you start making music?
West: I started making music when I was about 15 or 16, but I’ve been playing guitar and singing since I was 7. It was inconsistent at first, but I always had fun learning Taylor Swift songs on the guitar—big Taylor Swift household, I have two sisters. At first, I was mostly finding beats and working with different producers. But as I continued to grow more comfortable with myself and my sound, I started producing my own stuff. The first song I ever produced was “Pretty Guys.”
Since you mentioned Taylor Swift, I’m curious—do you think she had a big influence on you to make music growing up? Who are some of your other influences?
I always find that question funny because you don’t always consciously choose your influences—they come out in ways you don’t even realize. But yeah, Taylor Swift was a big part of my musical upbringing. I also love The Marías—their album from a few months ago was great. Remi Wolf’s production is cool too. And Role Model’s new album—he captured his voice and vibe in a great way.
As for early influences, I remember my mom always playing these CDs she burned when I was a kid. I’d say most of my unconscious influences come from artists like Lenny Kravitz and The Police. Jason Mraz was my first love though. I remember singing “I’m Yours” on the way to school with my sister. And, of course, The Wiggles. I don't know if you’ve heard of them?
Fruit salad, yummy yummy—of course I know The Wiggles!
Yeah! My first “guitar” was a squiggly, colorful Wiggles toy guitar. My parents even took me to one of their concerts. They said I ran up to the stage during the performance and actually made it onto the stage before they had to come and get me! I was obsessed. Eventually, I got into playing the acoustic guitar for real.
Can you pinpoint any artists that inspire your sound now?
Steve Lacy is definitely one. His approach to making music, especially vocal stacking, really opened my eyes. I remember watching a video where he talked about stacking 40 different vocal layers, and it made me realize it’s not weird to layer that much. He has a funkier style, which I truly admire. And I’ve been compared to Dominic Fike a bit. I like his older stuff, especially his demos.
You’re studying music business in college. Do you plan on pursuing both music and the business side of the industry? Or is it more of a backup plan?
I’m rational enough to know that being an artist is a risky career path, so yeah, I wanted some security. But my passion is making music. I love being an artist and putting stuff out there. I hope my education helps build me up as an artist. But I do feel secure knowing I’ll have a degree too.
What’s the story behind “In Repair”? What does that song mean to you?
“In Repair” is a sad song. I always take moments from my life and embellish them in my songs. With “In Repair,” I was in a situationship and realized I had trouble committing due to of past trauma. I had ignored it for a long time, but then I had this moment where I confronted it and thought, “Wow, I really do have commitment issues. This isn’t fair to the person I’m with.” It was a big coming-of-age moment for me, and that’s how the song came about.
Do you have another single coming out soon?
Yes, I’m always working on something since I produce my own stuff and record at home. I work closely with my good friend Taner, who’s a mixing and mastering engineer. I’m planning on releasing a single every month. The next one is called “Broken Record”. It’s another sad song, but I’m excited because I’m starting to move into a happier musical space.
What do you think sets you apart from other artists out there?
The music should come before everything else. Many people focus on the things around the music, like branding or social media, more than the music itself. For me, it’s all about the sound. I’m super intentional with every detail. My roommate Taner gets so frustrated because I’ll call him while he’s on vacation, like, “We need to raise the drums!” or “Move the bass here!” I care so much about the music itself, and I think that’s what sets me apart.
I also really care about building a community. I’ve been posting more on TikTok, and when someone reaches out, comments, or follows, it means so much to me. I make it a point to remember who those people are. I don’t just see followers as numbers. I want to prioritize that engagement because I love talking to people and building something meaningful around my music.
West Gura is an artist driven by a genuine love for music and connection. His focus on creating an authentic sound while fostering a community sets him apart from the crowd. With singles dropping every month and “Broken Record” on the way, keep an eye on West as he continues to evolve as an artist.