Written largely while traversing the roads, Zach Bryan Godwin’s Lonely Mountain Town EP stands as a collection of vivid snapshots and serene moments, all harmonized into compelling melodies. It’s a showcase of traditional country songwriting, where Godwin meticulously examines life’s delicate situations, peeling back layers to reveal profound truths. “These are character songs,” Godwin clarifies. “Most aren’t directly from my life but rather snippets gathered from my travels.”
This approach is evident in tracks like “It’s Her Move,” a blue-collar narrative inspired by a fly-fishing expedition to Northern New Mexico, portraying the life of a natural gas welder. Then there’s the lead single, “It’s The Little Things,” a melody and storyline celebrating simple joys that spontaneously arose in Godwin’s mind one morning. The EP’s title track, initially conceived for a film, resonated so deeply with Godwin that he developed it into a full song, capturing feelings of being constrained by routine and longing for connection. Another standout is “Dead To Rights,” which Godwin envisions as a spiritual successor to Simon & Garfunkel’s “The Boxer,” a collaboration with fellow Big Loud artist ERNEST.
Godwin expresses exhilaration about his current artistic freedom, a direct result of the resounding success of Family Ties. This previous work not only garnered critical acclaim but also cultivated a dedicated fanbase, evident in his sold-out tour audiences. This reception has emboldened him to pursue his creative instincts without reservation.
“Knowing I have this artistic independence is a great feeling,” he admits, highlighting the confidence it instills as he moves forward. This newfound creative space allowed Godwin to collaborate with musicians he has long admired for Lonely Mountain Town. His collaboration with ERNEST on “Dead to Rights” was particularly enlightening, teaching him that spontaneity can sometimes yield the best results, contrasting with the often meticulous songwriting process. “It showed me it’s okay to just sit down, write a song in ten minutes, and see what happens, rather than overthinking every line for days,” he reflects. Another significant collaboration is his rendition of Jason Molina’s “Hammer Down,” featuring one of his musical idols, Scott Avett. Their friendship blossomed while touring with Luke Combs on the “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old” tour, where they frequently performed “Hammer Down” as a duet. Recording it together for Lonely Mountain Town was a natural progression.
“It was really meaningful to me, and I think it turned out incredibly,” Godwin shares with pride about the collaboration with Avett. “It’s given a new audience exposure to a song that deserves wider recognition.”
Godwin’s journey in music began with intense gigging in the mid-2010s, culminating in his independently released debut album, Seneca, in 2019. The pandemic, however, disrupted his momentum, hindering his ability to tour and expand his fanbase as planned.
With the return of live music, Godwin and his band, the Alleghany High, vigorously promoted his 2021 album, How The Mighty Fall. The energy and enthusiastic response to their live performances amplified significantly after Family Ties. Since then, Godwin has graced platforms like ESPN’s Sportscenter, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and CBS Saturday Sessions. He also marked milestone performances at Stagecoach and Bonnaroo in 2024.
As he embarks on another tour this winter and spring, playing to sold-out venues while launching Lonely Mountain Town, Godwin is clearly content with his trajectory. For him, future success is about maintaining his authentic approach.
“I just want to keep writing as I have been, continue recording when possible, and keep producing and creating music,” he states resolutely. “Because that’s what truly makes me happy.” He concludes with a smile, “If I stay true to that, I believe everything else will naturally fall into place.”
