William Tyler

Born in Nashville, Tennessee in 1979, William Tyler has developed a body of work as an instrumental guitarist and composer at the crossroads of American folk, atmospheric country, Americana and a contemplative style often associated with cosmic country. Before his career under his own name, Tyler was active in Nashville's independent scene, playing with Lambchop from 1998 to 2010 and with Silver Jews from 2001 to 2009—experiences that place his trajectory within a landscape ranging from alt-country to indie rock. As a solo artist he released Behold the Spirit in 2010 and Impossible Truth in 2013, where his highly melodic guitar playing lets folk tradition, a subtle psychedelic drift and evocations of wide-open spaces converse. These were followed by Modern Country in 2016 and Goes West in 2019, which extend this instrumental approach—both narrative and open to more modern textures. Tyler also composed the score for Kelly Reichardt's film First Cow, released in 2020, and subsequently collaborated with Marisa Anderson on Lost Futures in 2021. In 2025 he released Time Indefinite, confirming a career centered on the guitar as a form of wordless storytelling.