NASHVILLE, TN (February 28, 2025) – Newly signed Big Machine Records duo Something Out West (Drew Arthur and Chet Hanks) today unveiled their first song “Leaving Hollywood,” available now here alongside the music video here. Written by Drew Arthur along with Heath Warren, Eric Paquette, and Eric Van Houten, “Leaving Hollywood” explores the story of being caught in the all-too-familiar grip of dissatisfaction and the acknowledgment that it’s time to seek a new path. With their warm, earnest vocals set against a backdrop of a somber piano and guitar blend, Hanks and Arthur craft an atmosphere that captures the bittersweet emotions of letting go and stepping into the next chapter – a journey they both related to.
“I wrote this song five years ago,” shares Arthur. “It was largely inspired by all the years I wanted to move to Nashville, but couldn’t make the move yet. But it took on a new meaning in so many ways in terms of a lot of what Chet and I had each been through personally.”
Friends for years, Drew and Chet first met when they were each on their initial journey to sobriety. Though told through a different lens, “Leaving Hollywood” parallels that same feeling of knowing you need to change and not quite being able to take that next step, but desperately wanting to. The duo has been featured by Billboard, MusicRow, Esquire, and more.
“When I heard this song when Drew first wrote it, what I remember the most was just the impact and the feeling I got from it,” added Chet.
A singer/songwriter whose introspective lyrics and dynamic melodies have quickly made him a versatile figure in Nashville’s bustling music scene, Drew Arthur originally hails from Florida. His ability to craft songs that resonate on a deeply emotional level sets him apart as both a storyteller and musician and is something that first bonded both him and Hanks to their current project. Friends for years, the two continued to evolve together as friends and as musical bandmates, and their sound evolved as well, crafting a new sound shaped by their experience and love of Nashville’s music scene. With a blend of distinctive vocals, memorable melodies, and timeless lyrics, Something Out West honors the genre’s storytelling roots while unapologetically embracing a fresh, unique musical perspective – one that is truly theirs – full of contemporary influences. Having grown up surrounded by the entertainment industry, Hanks is a talented musician and an accomplished actor, with credits including “Empire,” “Shameless,” and “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.” He currently stars in Netflix’s new hit breakout series “Running Point” as Travis Bugg, a basketball player/underground aspiring musician.
“Leaving Hollywood” marks Something Out West’s first track on Big Machine Records, with more music expected from the duo later this year.
“Leaving Hollywood”
Written by Drew Arthur, Heath Warren, Eric Paquette, Eric Van Houten
Produced by Julian Raymond and Mikal Blue
Lyrics:
In the morning you’ll be gone for good
Yeah, you’re all packed up and leaving Hollywood
In a town where life happens so fast
I should’ve known that this would never last, would never last
If you’re wondering, I’ll be just fine
Yeah, I know a little dark bar on the edge of Vine
Honey, I know it’ll take some time
But you had yours, so I’ll have mine
And get away from California
You always said this town was too damn fake to fool you
As far away as Carolina
Find a place to make it hard for me to find you
And put it all behind us
In the morning she’ll be gone for good
Yeah, her car’s packed up, I did all I could
Now I’m eastbound heading out for somewhere new
Gonna write a few songs, forget about you
Gonna write a few songs, forget about you
And get away from California
Every sunrise in this town reminds me of you
As far away as Carolina
I just pray you found a place where I can’t find you
We can put it all behind us
We can put it all behind us
Put it all behind us
Put it all behind
In the morning we’ll be gone for good
Yeah, we’re all packed up and leaving Hollywood
# # #
