Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ty Segall didn’t earn his career by just going with the flow or by sticking to a particular set of industry rules.
The 36-year-old Laguna Beach native cultivated a loyal following by blurring musical lines with a wide variety of sounds that made him a standout in the Southern California music scenes.
“I’ve never really thought about what I’m supposed to make, how I’m supposed to be, or how I’m supposed to sound,” Segall said during a recent phone interview, reflecting on what has kept his artistic vision balanced through 15 solo albums, including his latest, “Three Bells,” which dropped on Jan. 26.
“I just do what feels right, and that’s gotten me here thus far,” said Segall, who will play a sold-out show Feb. 24 at the Belly Up Tavern in Solana Beach.
Segall is a productive artist. Releasing nearly an album each year since his self-titled debut in 2008 and he’s also a part of several other bands, most notably San Francisco-based heavy acid rock band Fuzz. He’s unfailingly forged his own path, characterized by rambunctious psychedelic sounds and unconventional time signatures that have led to some pretty epic mosh pits in a live setting, regardless of the venue.
Ty Segall poses for a portrait, Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
(Chris Pizzello / Chris Pizzello/invision/ap)
The experimentation continues and has matured with “Three Bells.” The 15-track album clocks in at just over an hour in length and stands as Segall’s lengthiest project since his 2018 double album, “Freedom’s Goblin,” and his second longest solo release to date.
This release does mark some new territory for a rocker known for favoring punchier tracks and raw intensity. The record and the past year represent a shift in mindset, following what Segall describes as an “ego death.” He explains that he views that as essential, not only to the evolution of his music, but also to nurturing his innovative spirit — a transformation he considers vital for any musician, or human being alive for that matter, to experience.
“I think ego deaths happen many times in your life in many different ways,” he said. “You’re constantly having to die while being reborn, and I think that’s just an ongoing process for a lot of us. And the theme for ‘Three Bells’ reflects that. It’s about the deeper self-reflective discussions you’re forced to have with yourself, whether you’re ready to or not. It’s also figuring out the endless journey inside oneself and the endless questions we constantly ask. I’ve always partially talked about these stories on my past records since this is a conversation I’ve had with myself for many years, but not as in-depth and as intentional now.”
Despite the record being filled with potent, life-questioning lyrics, Segall remains committed to his abstract style while inviting listeners to interpret the meanings of the tracks all their own. He began the journey of creating “Three Bells” in 2021, embarking on a process marked by the death of old habits and mental cycles.
Segall embarked on a pursuit for a gentler, more subtle sound this time around, expressing his desire to dial back the intensity he’s been known to have. While some artists prefer to shelve songs later for tweaking, Segall’s approach differs. He started with a few initial tracks, allowing the lead track, “The Bell,” to set the tone and narrative direction for the rest of the album. This foundational piece influenced the creation of standout tracks like “My Best Friend” and “My Room,” shaping the overall sound and storyline of the record.
“This time, it just felt right to be melodic and more guitar-based and kind of a bit more rounded with sounds that I’ve maybe played a lot with in the past, but to push them into a newer place ended up being the goal. I don’t want to call it hard acoustic, but you know, there’s a lot of strange chords and strange things going on,” he said with a laugh. “But then, when you’re in that world, it’s fun.”
Ty Segall poses for a portrait, Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
(Chris Pizzello / Chris Pizzello/invision/ap)
Segall said he’s looking forward to touring with this new album out and shared that fans can expect to hear it almost in its entirety. Segall said it was importance to give this era the spotlight it deserves on tour. However, he also plans to play fan favorites like “My Lady’s On Fire” and “First Heart Mighty Dawn Dart” within the setlists.
To be able to play shows in Southern California is what creates a well-balanced tour and something his heart always longs for, considering it is where he cut his teeth, while growing up in areas like Glendale and Laguna Beach, playing in backyard gigs and on small stages in Los Angeles. Now, tours have become part of his yearly routine.
“It goes without saying, I feel most comfortable on stage, especially when I’m playing in areas that feel like home, so touring never feels like this daunting thing. It’s what I love,” he said.
For the diehard loyalists still expecting those rowdy mosh pits, Segall hasn’t completely shifted gears.
“We’ll be loud, but not that loud, we got a little quieter so were not like harmfully loud anymore,” he shared. “But it’ll still be fun with a mosh or two. Trust me on that one.”
Ty Segall: Three Bells Tour with Coral Web
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
Where: The Belly Up Tavern, 143 S. Cedros Ave., Solana Beach
Tickets: Sold out
Online: bellyup.com
Alvarado writes for the Southern California News Group.