We’re back with another video from last summer’s Pickathon as part of our ongoing Starlight Series, which spotlights artists who played the festival’s nocturnal stage. The series’ forth episode features Nashville guitarist/composer William Tyler performing his instrumental jam “I’m Gonna Live Forever (If It Kills Me)” with the Modern Country Band. The song comes from his fourth full-length, 2016’s Modern Country.
Tyler doesn’t need words to tell a story; “I’m Gonna Live Forever” loops through the same psychedelic melody several times, but each sounds slightly different (it’s fitting that he’s got a Grateful Dead sticker on his guitar). The feeling is bright and invincible, conjuring imagery of open roads winding through ruggedly beautiful American landscapes. It’s easy to lose yourself in Tyler’s music—his modern country is like a nostalgic daydream that fades in and out of reality.
Pickathon 2018 will take place on August 3-5, and the lineup will be announced next Friday, January 26 at the festival’s kickoff party at Revolution Hall.
Check out the previous episodes of this season’s Pickathon Starlight Series:
• Episode 1: Marlon Williams
• Episode 2: Brent Cobb
• Episode 3: Huun-Huur-Tu