Song Spotlight: Ty Teg's Open Sky (a night at Zebulon)

I've followed Ty Teg (the moniker for Audrey Reynolds) since 2022 when the band played The Smell. I caught the band a second time in 2023 -- once again at The Smell. In those two encounters, I've felt like I was hanging out with the cool art crowd. It helped that Reynolds is a graduate (or soon to be) of CalArts. Also, during both those nights the bands they played with had that artsy air to them. Hound played that first night in 2022. Though I believe the band has broken up as the duo headed off to college, it does appear that one of them has a solid following related to their art endeavors. The second time around, the band played with March Adstrum (someone I think highly of and you can read a blog post I wrote here) who is a CalArts graduate.  

Ty Teg at Zebulon

Two years passed by, but I always kept Ty Teg in mind. I noticed that band was playing a September set at Zebulon (I did notice that the venue listed the band as Ty Tey on their website though they did get the name spelled correctly on Instagram.) I would say that this 2025 band line-up also included an artsy feel to it as Harry the Nightgown was on the bill.

Ty Teg at Zebulon

Perhaps because of that CalArts background, Reynolds music has an experimental pop sound that is a mix of 10,000 Maniacs and Edie Brickell & New Bohemians. Maybe even a touch of former Los Angeles band Gypsum. What I'm implying is that I find the music to be very accessible and beautifully crafted experimental music. I won't deny that opinions on this may differ. I remember Gypsum saying something like their music wasn't for everyone and they apologized for that -- they said that during their record release party. Reynolds is more than willing to throw in the oddball sound into her tunes, but I personally think it all blends together. 

Ty Teg at Zebulon

As for their Zebulon set? This was the first time I saw the band play somewhere other than The Smell and it was also the band's first time playing Zebulon. They were thrilled with finally getting to play the venue. Though their set did start off in what I would describe as an awkward and amusing fashion. Every so often, DJs are into their own headspace and it was so on this night. The band got up on stage and basically had to stand there as the DJ let the song that was playing come to its lengthy conclusion. And then another song started up, but that was eventually cut short. 

Their set included songs from all three of their albums and EP as well as a newly released and unreleased materials. As for Reynolds, I did notice once again that she did her signature move of occasionally performing with one leg tucked away off the ground.    

Ty Teg at Zebulon

The song spotlight goes to the band's most recent release at the time of the set, "Open Sky." To me, it is a song about perseverance.

When you're fine with it
Build a life with sticks
Let it fall down
And rebuild it

The band's Spotify bio has the following quote, "Ty Teg is an LA-based post-punk/experimental pop band. It started with writer, producer, and singer Audrey Reynolds making and releasing music from her bedroom."

Setlist: The Reason, Open Sky, Red Car, Winner Winner, Date with the Night, Disappear Hear, Seal It.