William Tyler is an American guitarist and composer known for his unique blend of fingerstyle guitar, ambient, and post-rock influences. Hailing from Nashville, Tyler's music weaves intricate, melodic soundscapes that are often both introspective and expansive. Critics have praised Tyler for his ability to evoke deep emotion through his instrumental work. Pitchfork described Goes West as "a stunning meditation on the American landscape, both real and imagined. “ Through his work, Tyler has carved a distinctive niche within the instrumental music world, drawing comparisons to guitar greats like John Fahey and Leo Kottke. His newest record, Time Indefinite, was released by Psychic Hotline in spring of 2025. In this episode, recorded live at the Big Ears Festival in March of 2025, he talks about how songs by Scott Joplin, The Troggs, and Popol Vuh were formative for him.

William Tyler is an American guitarist and composer known for his unique blend of fingerstyle guitar, ambient, and post-rock influences. Hailing from Nashville, Tyler's music weaves intricate, melodic soundscapes that are often both introspective and expansive. Critics have praised Tyler for his ability to evoke deep emotion through his instrumental work. Pitchfork described Goes West as "a stunning meditation on the American landscape, both real and imagined. &ldquo; Through his work, Tyler has carved a distinctive niche within the instrumental music world, drawing comparisons to guitar greats like John Fahey and Leo Kottke. His newest record, Time Indefinite, was released by Psychic Hotline in spring of 2025. In this episode, recorded live at the Big Ears Festival in March of 2025, he talks about how songs by Scott Joplin, The Troggs, and Popol Vuh were formative for him.

A show in which musicians and other creators talk about the songs that shaped who they are. Produced by Matt Byars and Lee Gardner.

A show in which musicians and other creators talk about the songs that shaped who they are. Produced by Matt Byars and Lee Gardner.

Essential Tremors

A show in which musicians and other creators talk about the songs that shaped who they are.

William Tyler (Live at Big Ears Festival 2025)

While to the casual observer it might seem as if New Zealand’s The Beths appeared seemingly out of nowhere in or around the summer of 2023, they’ve in fact been making their extremely catchy brand of indie pop for almost ten years now. The Auckland-based quartet’s most recent album, Straight Line is a Lie, was released last year by Anti-. We spoke to founding members Liz Stokes and Jonathan Pearce for this episode in which they talk about how songs by Rilo Kiley, Ben Folds Five, and The Shins--among others--were formative for them.

While to the casual observer it might seem as if New Zealand&rsquo;s The Beths appeared seemingly out of nowhere in or around the summer of 2023, they&rsquo;ve in fact been making their extremely catchy brand of indie pop for almost ten years now. The Auckland-based quartet&rsquo;s most recent album, Straight Line is a Lie, was released last year by Anti-. We spoke to founding members Liz Stokes and Jonathan Pearce for this episode in which they talk about how songs by Rilo Kiley, Ben Folds Five, and The Shins--among others--were formative for them.

The Beths

Colombia-born singer and musician Lucrecia Dalt began her musical career seemingly suddenly, at least when observed from a distance as a simple biographical factoid: as a civil engineer, she worked in a geotechnical company until giving it up to become a musician. While the exact details of that situation are likely considerably more nuanced, it nevertheless serves as a metaphor for her ambitious and ever-forward artistic inclinations. This is particularly true in her 2021 collaboration with Aaron Dilloway, Lucy & Aaron, which took her work deeper into more fragmented, abstract territory. She continues on this path with her newest release, A Danger to Ourselves, which was released in late 2025. On this episode, she talks about how songs by Rocio Durcal, PJ Harvey, and David Sylvian informed her sensibilities. Dalt will perform at the Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, TN in March of 2026.

Colombia-born singer and musician Lucrecia Dalt began her musical career seemingly suddenly, at least when observed from a distance as a simple biographical factoid: as a civil engineer, she worked in a geotechnical company until giving it up to become a musician. While the exact details of that situation are likely considerably more nuanced, it nevertheless serves as a metaphor for her ambitious and ever-forward artistic inclinations. This is particularly true in her 2021 collaboration with Aaron Dilloway, Lucy &amp; Aaron, which took her work deeper into more fragmented, abstract territory. She continues on this path with her newest release, A Danger to Ourselves, which was released in late 2025. On this episode, she talks about how songs by Rocio Durcal, PJ Harvey, and David Sylvian informed her sensibilities. Dalt will perform at the Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, TN in March of 2026.

Lucrecia Dalt (Big Ears Festival Performer)

Bassist Melvin Gibbs has played on many seminal records you’re very familiar with, and likely many you aren’t, almost 200 in total. Some of his better-known work includes playing with drummer Ronald Shannon Jackson, guitarist Sonny Sharrock, as well as Rollins Band, and Arto Lindsay. Although having played in stylistically varied projects, there is one constant among all them, which is Gibbs’ palpable presence, as he’s not a typical “session” player or one to recede into the background. Regardless of the project, his passion, precision, and distinctive, extremely musical playing stand out. Gibbs will appear as part of the Electrical Field of Love project featuring his group Harriet Tubman & Georgia Anne Muldrow at the 2026 Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, TN. On this episode, he talks about how songs by Undine Smith Moore, Les Tambours de Brazza, and 67 guided his musical course.

Bassist Melvin Gibbs has played on many seminal records you&rsquo;re very familiar with, and likely many you aren&rsquo;t, almost 200 in total. Some of his better-known work includes playing with drummer Ronald Shannon Jackson, guitarist Sonny Sharrock, as well as Rollins Band, and Arto Lindsay. Although having played in stylistically varied projects, there is one constant among all them, which is Gibbs&rsquo; palpable presence, as he&rsquo;s not a typical &ldquo;session&rdquo; player or one to recede into the background. Regardless of the project, his passion, precision, and distinctive, extremely musical playing stand out. Gibbs will appear as part of the Electrical Field of Love project featuring his group Harriet Tubman &amp; Georgia Anne Muldrow at the 2026 Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, TN. On this episode, he talks about how songs by Undine Smith Moore, Les Tambours de Brazza, and 67 guided his musical course.

William Tyler (Live at Big Ears Festival 2025)

In 1 playlist(s)

Essential Tremors

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips