Jackson Free Press

Water Liars is not wasting any time. The Water Valley-based group, made up of Justin Kinkel-Schuster on guitar and vocals, and Andrew Bryant on drums and vocals, has only been around since 2011 but has been highly prolific in that short time. The duo released its second album, "Wyoming," this past spring on Oxford's Big Legal Mess Records, and it is currently recording its third record. Between these, it also squeezed in a just-released 7-inch single.

The group's music, primarily Kinkel-Schuster's writing, is sparsely arranged with a strong emphasis on the guitarist's plaintive voice. Although the music is rooted partially in folk styles, the group likes to work the entire dynamic range—from hushed to blaring—into its music. "Wyoming" features everything from quiet, almost traditional-sounding songs with acoustic guitar and harmony vocals, to distorted garage-rock leads and crashing drums.

The influence of books and literature runs throughout the band's music. Its name comes from the title of a short story by the late Mississippi writer Barry Hannah, and songs mention writers such as John Milton. Listeners can also hear the influence through Kinkel-Schuster's ability to fully set a scene through his lyrics. The guitarist was an English major in college, and reading affects his songwriting.

"The influence is huge, although not necessarily conscious," he says. "Books have been some of my best and most loyal friends. There are definitely a few writers who have helped me out immeasurably along the way, and I always want to make sure that, whether it's conscious or not, I'm paying service to them."

Another distinctive component of Water Liars' sound is its vocal harmonies. The duos' voices blend together naturally and help boost the emotional impact of Kinkel-Schuster's lyrics. He admits that they have an instinctual approach to singing together, rather than anything being worked out. It's also his favorite part of their live shows.

"When we're actually playing, (harmony is) one of the things that gives me the most joy. I feel a thrill every time," Kinkel-Schuster says. "It doesn't even feel like me—or us, really. It just feels like a different, bigger sound that I get to hear."

Since the release of "Wyoming" this spring, Water Liars kept a steady presence on the road, playing shows throughout the country. Highlights of the band's travels have included recording for the famed Daytrotter Sessions in Iowa and being filmed for a high-school media class in Kansas.

While the schedule is full, shows can sometimes be mismatches, sharing bills with groups with which Water Liars don't have much in common. "At this point, it's sort of a crapshoot," Kinkel-Schuster says. "It depends a lot on places that we've been and people we meet who are kindred spirits."

Even when these situations come up, Kinkel-Schuster and Bryant don't change their show or their approach to performing. "We're going to do what we're going to do regardless of the surroundings," Kinkel-Schuster says. "We have enough faith in what we're trying to do that we're going to put it out there and hope that it comes across."

Water Liars performs at 10 p.m. Aug. 23 at Martin's Lounge (214 S. State St., 601-354-9712). Visit 
waterliarsmusic.tumblr.com. Also, visit jfp.ms/phantomlimb for the 2012 JFP review of "Phantom Limb," the group's first album that Fat Possum Records recently re-released.