“It’s always good to learn new ways of playing and new ways of looking at music,” he says. “I started with bluegrass, but at this point, I’m a musician who’s also taken on a lot of other influences from the people I’ve been around over the years. I’ve finally got a sound that I feel like I can own. I can put my finger on it. I want to keep myself honest with who I really am, and despite the title, that’s what All I Do Is Lie is all about.”

All I Do Is Lie also marks the first time that Watkins has promoted one of his solo albums with a full tour. He’s no stranger to the road, but this specific tour promises to be different. Watkins will be occupying the spotlight himself, acting as a frontman instead of a bandmate or sideman. Years ago, whenever he released one of his own albums, he’d immediately hit the road again with Nickel Creek… a move that turned his solo career into a project. It’s not a side project any longer.

“This feels like starting over, in a way,” he explains. “It’s the beginning of the next phase.”