Finally coming in for a landing is the high-flying soundtrack Ty Segall composed for Matt Yoka’s debut documentary Whirlybird. It was roughly two years ago that we first wrote about this collaboration, and now, thanks to Drag City, you can flock to the streaming service of your choice and appreciate the multi-layered majesty of Whirlybird (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).

Yoka’s film, which had its premiere at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, is about pioneering Los Angeles helicopter reporting duo Zoey Tur and Marika Gerrard. The pair were in the air to cover such notable Los Angeles news events like the 1992 riots and the pursuit of OJ Simpson’s white bronco. Whirlybird weaves interviews with archival footage to unpack Tur and Gerrard’s relationship and explore the lasting impact they had on broadcast news coverage. Whirlybird is available to stream on MUBI.

You’d never guess it from listening, but Whirlybird is the first feature film Segall has scored. Taking cues from Yoka, his friend and longtime collaborator, Segall has come up with dynamic and assured arrangements that use synth, drum machine, Wurlitzer keyboard, guitars, drums, and percussion. He also enlisted pal Mikal Cronin to help. He plays sax and co-wrote the title track.

Venture below for an earful of Segall’s genius with “Story of the Century,” a drum-fueled musical orgy. If you like what you hear more, hit up the full album on one of the streaming services. The physical manifestation of Whirlybird (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) has a target drop date of June 24, 2022. For additional info on that, visit the Drag City website.

Segall is about to head out on a solo tour with Charles Moothart. Then in June, he’s back on the road with the Freedom Band. All North American dates are listed below.

Ty Segall Tour Dates
3/2/2022 Meow Wolf, Santa Fe, New Mexico*
3/4/2022 Tower Theatre OKC, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma*
3/5/2022 The Ship, Kansas City, Missouri*
3/6/2022 Off Broadway, St. Louis, Missouri*
3/7/2022 Headliners Music Hall, Louisville, Kentucky*
3/9/2022 Mercy Lounge, Nashville, Tennessee*
3/11/2022 Saturn, Birmingham, Alabama*
3/12/2022 Chelsea’s Live, Baton Rouge, Louisiana*
3/15/2022 The Underground (The Nile), Mesa, Arizona*
3/18/2022 Zebulon, Los Angeles, California*

6/14/2022 191 Toole, Tucson, Arizona#
6/15/2022 Lowbrow Palace, El Paso, Texas#
6/17/2022 Granada Theater, Dallas, Texas#
6/18/2022 Mohawk, Austin, Texas#
6/19/2022 One Eyed Jacks Presents at 1104 Decatur, New Orleans, Louisiana#
6/20/2022 Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, Georgia#
6/22/2022 Orange Peel, Asheville, North Carolina#
6/23/2022 Rams Head Live, Baltimore, Maryland#
6/24/2022 Union Transfer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania#
6/25/2022 Brooklyn Steel, Brooklyn, New York#
6/27/2022 Royale, Boston, Massachusetts#
6/28/2022 Danforth Music Hall, Toronto, Ontario#
6/30/2022 Agora Theatre, Cleveland, Ohio#
7/2/2022 First Avenue, Minneapolis, Minnesota#
7/3/2022 The Mission Ballroom, Denver, Colorado#
7/5/2022 Metro Music Hall, Salt Lake City, Utah#
7/6/2022 Backstage Bar, Las Vegas, Nevada#

*Solo shows with Charles Moothart
#Ty Segall & Freedom Band

Photo Credit: Chris Greer