William Tyler & The Impossible Truth have announced the March 31 release of Secret Stratosphere, a live album that represents their first recorded output as a full band. Today, they share “Area Code 601,” a rousing live performance of a previously unreleased composition that Tyler cheekily describes as a “Hawkwind meets a Barefoot Jerry number,” uncorking a sound that lives somewhere between mind-expanding prog and beer commercial–backing Southern rock.

Of “Area Code 601,” Tyler says: “Area Code 615 was a Nashville instrumental ensemble that our group has always pulled inspiration from. 601 is the area code for southern Mississippi where all my family hails from, and where I spent a great deal of my childhood. I guess it’s my tribute to that beautiful, troubled, and defiantly hopeful part of the world that feels more like home than anywhere else I’ve ever been.”

Recorded May 29, 2021, in Huntsville, Alabama, Secret Stratosphere finds William Tyler and fellow psychedelic dreamers The Impossible Truth refashioning prime cuts from the Nashville guitarist’s rich catalog, casting new light onto once-familiar songs. 

Featuring the crackling combo of Jack Lawrence (Raconteurs, Dead Weather), Brian Kotzur (Silver Jews, Country Westerns), and Luke Schneider (solo, Margo Price), the quartet stretch the dynamics of Tyler’s compositions to their fullest interdimensional potential, exposing a deep undercurrent of kosmische and post-rock influences, confirming his place as one of our most brilliant guitarists, bandleaders, and composers.

Secret Stratosphere is available for pre-order on CD or 2-LP orange creamsicle Peak Vinyl from the Merge store. In addition, William Tyler will embark on a run of solo shows across Europe in May. Tickets go on sale on March 2 at 10am local time.

William Tyler on tour (solo):
Mar 22 New York, NY – Merkin Concert Hall
May 03 Copenhagen, DK – Huset
May 06 Gothenburg, SE – Pustervik
May 07 Oslo, NO – Hærverk
May 10 Stavanger, NO – Lighthouse
May 12 Eindhoven, NO – Bridge Guitar Fest
May 13 Paris, FR – L’Archipel
May 15 London, UK – EartH (Evolutionary Arts Hackney)