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Interview: Miguel says new tour will 'take people on a ride' as it launches in Texas

Miguel's fans in Texas will be the first to lay eyes on the forward-thinking R&B singer's new Wildheart Tour this weekend. The 29-year-old crooner has been in Austin all week prepping and doing dress rehearsals for the new production, which kicks off in the state capital this evening and hits Dallas' South Side Music Hall Saturday night before moving on to Houston.

A very gracious Miguel called from A-Town amid all the rehearsal madness on Wednesday. We talked about what's in store for his new live show and we also touched on some of the ideas driving WIldheart, the just released third album that I can't stop playing.

Are you going to one of the Texas shows this weekend? Check out some of the highlights from the convo (we're BFFs now, by the way, no big deal):

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Is Miguel nervous about kicking off a new tour?

"Hell no, I'm excited. Are you kidding? This is the very first leg of the tour, so it's an introduction to all the new visuals and a real-world version of how I see the music in my mind."

Will the tour get bigger and crazier on the next leg, as they're known to do?

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"Yes, this is just the beginning, with the next level being this version on steroids."

His songs — especially on the new record — have such a wide range of moods and vibes. Is the show going to explore them all?

"We have moments that keep it simple and about the music. I've been with my band and they are all amazing players, so we do well when we showcase the music. This show is definitely more dynamic, and that comes from experience. I wanted there to be acts to the show, to take people on a ride. We don't just stay on 10 the whole time with this one. There are moments when we let the new ideas really sink in."

He's talked in other interviews about the concept of Wildheart being about finding one's own way and purpose in life. But how does that apply to Miguel himself?

"Wildheart is about the never-ending journey of affirming who you are and what you believe in - and [identifying] some of the things that don't jell with what you believe in. Living that knowledge. Figuring out who you are and what you really care about. That's a never ending process. Wildheart is a step in a direction for me to feeling more sturdy."

His involvement in the production and overall sound has obviously increased with each of his records. How has he been able to get a major label to trust his creative ideas even when they're risky?

"I feel so much more confident spearheading all of the creative things that I'm working on. I've been tremendously blessed - the label kind of trusts my instincts. Not that they always understand them, but I have good people protecting and championing my process. Basically allowing me to do whatever the [expletive] I want. Obviously things contribute to that, like the success of 'Adorn'. My things always take a second to catch on but when they do, the stay on. I'm lucky, really. I know not all artists have that."

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New tracks such as "The Valley" are totally carnal, while others like "Coffee" and "Face the Sun" explore romantic notions a bit more. What kind of mood inspires him more as a writer these days?

"We all experience the dynamic of each of those songs — carnal moments, vulnerable moments. It's all in different doses, but it all comes together. I try to focus on the emotion of a moment and expound on that. All of these complex emotions can happen all at once. That's what is awesome about writing — you can focus in on one."

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"Hollywood Dreams" deals with ambition and fame. Does it speak to his time as an up-and-comer, or is fame that important to him?

"I only wanted fame because it was an indicator of how many people my work has reached. If there was any kind of gauge, fame would be the gauge. So I've never been chasing fame. I just think the music deserves to be heard on that level. 'Hollywood Dreams' is more about people losing themselves along the way, and how that occurs in Los Angeles."

Finally, how would he describe his sound to someone who'd, God forbid, never heard a Miguel record?

"I would say it's rooted in soul, but it's in love with rock 'n' roll."