Amythyst Kiah @ FREMONT ABBEY
Event description
Amythyst Kiah: www.amythystkiah.com
"On her new album Still + Bright, Tennessee-bred singer/songwriter Amythyst Kiah explores the vast expanse of her inner world: her deep-rooted affinity for Eastern philosophies and spiritual traditions, a near-mystical connection with the natural environment, the life lessons learned in her formative years as a self-described “anime-nerd mall goth,” and much more. Produced by Butch Walker (Taylor Swift, Green Day, Weezer) and recorded at his Nashville studio, Kiah’s second full-length for Rounder Records merges her revelatory storytelling with a darkly cinematic twist on the rootsy alt-rock of her 2021 breakthrough Wary + Strange—an LP that landed on Rolling Stone’s list of the 25 Best Country and Americana Albums of 2021 and drew acclaim from major outlets like Pitchfork. With its sonic palette encompassing everything from fuzzed-out guitars and industrial-leaning beats to gilded pedal steel and Kiah’s exquisitely graceful banjo work, Still + Bright makes for a vital new addition to a body of work largely dedicated to exploring the struggle and joy of true self-discovery.
The latest turn in a dynamic career that’s included joining Our Native Daughters (an all-women-of-color supergroup also featuring Rhiannon Giddens, Leyla McCalla, and Allison Russell), Still + Bright emerged from a deliberate transformation of the songwriting process Kiah adopted after composing her first song on a Fender acoustic at age 13. To that end, the album marks her first time opening up her approach and working with co-writers, including punk legend Tim Armstrong, Sadler Vaden (a guitarist/vocalist for Jason Isbell’s 400 Unit), and former Pentatonix member Avi Kaplan. Although her third LP is an undeniable departure from the anguished emotionality of its predecessor (an album informed by losing her mother to suicide at age 17), Kiah imparts each track with a hypnotic intensity born from boldly stating her convictions. Revealing her rare ability to spin her fascinations into songs uncovering essential truths about human nature, Still + Bright ultimately affirms her as an artist of both daring originality and uncompromising depth.
with guests
BHI BHIMAN
“One of America’s best-kept secrets.” — The Times (London)
“Solid, unimpeachable songwriting.” —Afropunk
“What a voice.” —The New York Times
Bhi Bhiman (pronounced Bee-mun) is an acclaimed American singer, songwriter, and producer, whose unforgettable voice has been compared to Nina Simone by NPR, and described by the Washington Post as “a keening, gender-neutral yawp that’s as earthy as it is ethereal.” Along with three studio albums BHIMAN (2012), Rhythm & Reason (2015), and the innovative Peace of Mind (2019), released as a podcast, Bhiman has collaborated with a diverse list of creatives including comedian/actor Keegan-Michael Key, author Dave Eggers, rapper / director Boots Riley, and late iconic musician Chris Cornell.
Bhiman’s upcoming album I’ll Sleep When I’m Famous (July 2022) is his most personal release to date. Co-produced by Sam Kassirer (who worked on the critically acclaimed BHIMAN and Rhythm & Reason albums), the nine-song album sports a world-weary, but wide-eyed positivity. Recorded entirely at his home studio, these songs were inspired by the pop sensibility of the rock music Bhi grew up on in the 90s, and is a call back to the more acoustic sound found on his debut. “These songs deal with the ever-increasing presence of death in our lives,” Bhiman explains, connecting to both the Covid pandemic and personal loss. “I hope that it can be cathartic to those who’ve experienced loss, not as a downer but as a reality check. The reason we create art to begin with, is that we don’t see enough beauty in the world. And his record is meant to replace some of the beauty that’s been taken from us.”
LOCAL GUEST TBD
@ Fremont Abbey Arts Center
6:45p doors, ~7:30p show
All ages, some seating available, bar w/ID
ABBEY ARTS EVENT INFO:
Fremont Abbey is ADA accessible on either level.
For most events we have a mix of padded chairs and standing room.
Seating is not guaranteed or reserved unless noted.
To respect the performing artists and your fellow attendees, please refrain from talking during the performances
Please limit photos during the show so as to not distract other attendees from the experience.
Phone and video may be permitted for some shows, from the standing area only please.
No professional cameras or cameras with shutters allowed in the venue
We are an all ages venue. Kids 10 & under are free at Abbey Arts concerts & arts events unless noted.
Equity & Inclusion - Entering the venue indicates agreement to adhere to the Abbey Respect Policy. www.fremontabbey.org/respect
Service animals as defined by the ADA are allowed. Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
