No Skips, Just Hits: Zane Williams Talks The Wilder Blue’s Latest Album

The Wilder Blue has never been a band that colors inside the lines. With their latest album, Still in the Runnin’, frontman Zane Williams and his bandmates continue their tradition of pushing boundaries while staying true to their roots. The record, which delivers nine thoughtfully curated tracks, is both a reflection of where the band has been and a bold declaration of where they’re headed.

Credit: Mackenzie Ryan

The Art Behind the Album

At first glance, the cover of Still in the Runnin’ is striking, with a design that immediately evokes a nostalgic feel. It turns out, there’s a good reason for that. Williams, who designed the cover himself, drew inspiration from 90s pearl snap shirts—the kind with a distinctive stripe of galloping horses across the chest.

“I do the cover art myself, mostly to save money, but I also enjoy it,” Williams admits. “I was just about to give up when I found that horse graphic and changed the color scheme. That’s when it all came together.”

The end result? A visually captivating piece that not only embodies the album’s aesthetic but also complements the band’s signature blend of traditional country, rock, and folk influences.

The Power of Nine

In an era where artists often overload albums with content, The Wilder Blue took a different approach—keeping things concise and intentional. With nine tracks, the album feels digestible yet complete.

“We didn’t really plan these songs to be an album, but when we put them together, they just fit,” Williams explains. “There was a good flow, and we actually left one song off because it felt a little jarring.”

That song, "I'm Your Man", still found a home as a digital single, but for the band, it was more important to create a cohesive listening experience rather than an overstuffed tracklist. Williams, a self-proclaimed album purist, understands the importance of sequencing, citing memories of listening to country records on vinyl with his grandfather—no skipping allowed.

The Wilder Blue’s Self-Made Sound

This latest album is another testament to the band’s DIY ethos. Having produced all the tracks themselves, The Wilder Blue continued their tradition of letting each song dictate its own sound rather than forcing a uniform production style.

“Album three was a little different because we worked with Brent Cobb,” Williams recalls. “But on this one, we went back to how we did our first two albums. We look at our basket of songs, see what we feel like doing that day, and let the song be its own thing.”

That approach results in a dynamic listening experience—each track feeling like a mini movie, with its own story, instrumentation, and sonic landscape.

Naming the Album: A Symbol of Persistence

Settling on Still in the Runnin’ as the album title wasn’t an immediate decision. Williams championed the idea early on, but not everyone in the band was sold at first. After an exhaustive search for alternatives, they ultimately landed back on it—and for good reason.

“It’s a good encapsulation of where we’re at,” Williams reflects. “I’ve been doing this a long time, but I still feel like we have a long way to go. We can’t afford to be in coast mode, and that keeps us on our toes creatively.”

That relentless drive is evident in every track, from the tight harmonies to the adventurous instrumental choices that set the album apart.

The Standout Track: “Queen of Austin”

Among the album’s highlights, Queen of Austin stands out as both the longest track and an emotional centerpiece. Written during a late-night drive while Williams was behind the wheel of the band’s bus, the song took shape in a way that felt almost serendipitous.

“I don’t normally write on piano, but I just felt like this one needed a ‘Desperado’-type piano part,” he shares. “I ended up buying an 88-key weighted keyboard just to bring it on the road for this song.”

The song’s rich, reflective storytelling and expansive instrumentation give it a timeless quality, reminiscent of classic singer-songwriters like Jackson Browne and the Eagles.

A Fan-Favorite Already

Even in the early stages of touring with the new album, fan reactions have been overwhelmingly positive.

“I think this one is giving our first album a run for its money,” Williams says. “People have been telling us there’s no skips, and that they have it on repeat. That’s the best feedback we could ask for.”

Despite the success, Williams admits he already feels the pressure of what comes next.

“I don’t know how we’re going to top this,” he laughs. “Some of the stuff we did—like the instrumental section in Los Diablos Tejanos and the harmonies throughout—I’m just like, ‘How did we even come up with that?’”

One thing is certain—The Wilder Blue isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Whether they’re refining their sound, experimenting with new ideas, or keeping their foot on the gas with relentless touring, Still in the Runnin’ proves they’re far from finished. In fact, they’re just getting started.