TY SEGALL

Ty Segall by Denee Petracek

Since the last time Ty Segall performed in Miami, four years ago, the prolific low-fi indie rocker has refined his retro-psyche-rock-infused garage sound with more dynamic elements. In 2011, with Goodbye Bread, he revealed he can do something beyond aggressive, distorted electric-guitar-driven songs. Lest anyone think he went too soft, he released Twins in 2012. He credited Black Sabbath as inspiration. But then, the next year, he gave us Sleeper, an album of only acoustic guitar ballads. This doesn’t include two other full-lengths and his work with Fuzz.

Over the past few years, Segall has proved himself a hard-working musician who has hardly stopped his creative output, allowing his sound to evolve without pushing it. That said, when Miami finally sees Segall’s return, it will be on the heels of his 12th full-length release as a solo artist in six years: Manipulator, released only at the end of last month, once again on Drag City Records. PureHoney was granted a sneak peak to help prepare audiences for Segall’s next step in his evolution.

Known for his rollicking guitar work, Segall shows some audacity by opening Manipulator with dual organs. Fear not, the provocation doesn’t last long, as the song closes with the familiar guitar skronk soloing Segall is best known for. However, the stage has been set for a musician ready to explore new ground while staying true to his psyche-rock roots, and the record is a dynamic affair that also features driving acoustic guitar strums, strings and even some whispering.

No one should fear any lack of emphasis on guitar work, however. Even with the new material, his visit to Miami should be as rocking as any Segall fan would expect. Virtually every track on Manipulator features Segall’s signature stuttering guitar solos that sometimes rage toward heights that one-up one phrase after another. Get ready to be rocked in the most classic sense any young musician working today can offer.

Thursday, September 11, 9pm at The Stage Miami: Ty Segall with Wand (Drag City/LA), Plastic Pinks and DJ Sean Ashworth. Ages: 18+. Tickets: $12 in advance, $15 at the door.

~ Hans Morgenstern, IndieEthos (indieethos.wordpress.com)

READ MORE BY HANS: Ty Segall channels the essence of rock ‘n’ roll with ‘Manipulator’ — a review