Wyatt Espalin has never been one to shy away from hard truths—or the complicated beauty found within them. A seasoned songwriter, evocative storyteller, and master fiddler, Espalin channels raw emotion into every note he plays and every lyric he sings. With his latest single, “Liar”, he extends an invitation—both daring and intimate—to step into the tangled landscape of his memories, where truth and fiction blur into something undeniably real.
Set to be released ahead of his forthcoming debut full-length album, Lies From the Lonesome Valley (Fall 2025), Liar serves as both a statement and a question. Is Espalin confronting a lover? A friend? Or, perhaps, is he looking into his own reflection, grappling with the stories he’s told himself over the years? Whatever the answer, Liar demands attention, pairing Appalachian soul with searing honesty in a way that only Espalin can deliver.
From the first chords, Liar grips you like a storm on the horizon—subtle yet inevitable. Espalin’s voice carries the weight of experience, rich and deep like well-worn timber, yet sharp enough to carve through the walls we build around ourselves. With the haunting wail of a harmonica and the steady pulse of a driving acoustic guitar, the song builds into something both brooding and defiant. The arrangement is as dynamic as the emotions it conveys—pedal steel sighs in the background, banjo adds a restless energy, and a chorus of harmonies rises like ghosts echoing in the hollers of North Georgia.
Recorded at 460 Sound Studios in Cleveland, GA, Liar boasts an ensemble of gifted musicians whose contributions weave seamlessly into Espalin’s sonic tapestry. Featuring Erin Worley (banjo, backing vocals), Grace Pettis (backing vocals), Roland Royal (backing vocals), Liz Petty (backing vocals), Zach Kilmer (pedal steel), Ryan Plumley (electric guitar), Pat Strawser (organ, Wurlitzer), Drew Lawson (bass), and Colin Agnew (drums, percussion)—the track captures both the intimacy of a fireside confession and the power of a full-band reckoning.
Produced by Espalin himself alongside Gavin Calzaretta, who also engineered, mixed, and mastered the song, Liar finds its strength in raw vulnerability. The production is warm yet unpolished, allowing every instrument—and every emotion—to breathe.
At the heart of Liar is an artist reflecting on the stories he’s told—not just to the world, but to himself. With Espalin’s 50th birthday approaching, Lies From the Lonesome Valley takes shape as both a deeply personal and a universally relatable collection. “These songs are lies,” Espalin has said, but in the best way possible—artistic embellishments of real experiences, narratives stretched to their most emotionally potent forms. In doing so, he uncovers truths that might otherwise remain buried.
Raised in the Appalachian foothills of North Georgia by his grandparents, Espalin’s musical roots run deep. His upbringing, steeped in storytelling and tradition, has shaped him into the artist he is today. A state champion clogger and Appalachian buck dancer, he learned early on that rhythm and movement were just as much a part of storytelling as words. Now, with Lies From the Lonesome Valley, he returns to those roots, balancing personal introspection with the rich, textured sound of Americana.
Adding to the album’s significance, Lies From the Lonesome Valley will feature his band, The Riverstones, as well as collaborations with the legendary Amy Ray (Indigo Girls) and Grace Pettis. If Liar is any indication, the album will be a journey—one that doesn’t flinch from the weight of regret, longing, or self-reckoning.
Espalin’s approach to songwriting is one of deep introspection and fearless honesty. He isn’t interested in crafting music for the sake of comfort—his songs dig into the raw edges of human experience, unearthing both pain and beauty in equal measure. He understands that the best storytelling is about more than just recounting events; it’s about capturing the emotions, the atmosphere, and the quiet truths that lurk beneath the surface. Liar exemplifies this ethos, offering listeners a window into Espalin’s world while also holding up a mirror to their own experiences.
What sets Wyatt Espalin apart isn’t just his ability to craft a song—it’s his ability to make you feel every word of it. There’s no distance between him and his music, no filter to soften the impact. Liar is the kind of song that lingers, its melody curling around your thoughts long after the final note fades.
It’s a taste of what’s to come—an album that promises to be as bold as it is intimate, as untamed as the mountains that shaped him. Liar doesn’t offer easy answers, but that’s never been Espalin’s style. Instead, he hands us a mirror, inviting us to take a closer look at the stories we tell ourselves, the truths we hide, and the lies we just might need to believe.
The depth of Espalin’s artistry is undeniable, and Lies From the Lonesome Valley stands to be a defining statement of his career. His music is a testament to resilience, an homage to the landscapes—both physical and emotional—that have shaped him. As he approaches this new chapter, he does so with the unshakable conviction that the best stories are the ones that refuse to be tied down by absolute truths.
With Liar, Wyatt Espalin doesn’t just sing a song—he starts a conversation. And if you’re willing to listen, you just might find a piece of your own story in his. One thing is certain: Espalin’s journey is far from over, and with Lies From the Lonesome Valley, he’s just getting started.
For more information on Wyatt Espalin, upcoming releases, and tour dates, visit: www.wyattespalinmusic.com
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