Amythyst Kiah shares “I Will Not Go Down (feat. Billy Strings)”, the second preview of her upcoming album, Still + Bright (out October 25th on Rounder Records) and a striking example of Kiah’s rare ability to turn her fascination into songs that bring to light fundamental truths about human nature. The track is a wildly stomping, fantasy-inspired folk epic full of urgency. Featuring the iconic, nimble plucking of bluegrass phenomenon Billy Strings, the track could be the soundtrack to any famous monomyth, but also one of personal reflection and redemption.
“From Avatar: The Last Airbender to Lord of the Rings to Mass Effect, I’ve always loved the journey of a great hero,” Kiah says of the track. “The hero always rides into the unknown to find answers and slay a greater beast. These stories emphasize the importance of reflection, resilience, and restraint. Sometimes we need to ride into the unknown to find those answers and see what we’re really made of, without stopping to consider that the beast we’re slaying might actually be ourselves. I was incredibly thrilled that Billy Strings joined in on this track and took us on his own journey, creating the most radiant guitar carpet that could blind any enemy that dares to cross his path.”
Listen to “Still + Bright” here and pre-save it.
Kiah’s new 12-track album Still + Bright, produced by Butch Walker (Taylor Swift, Green Day, Weezer), explores the breadth of her inner world and interests: her deep-rooted affinity for Eastern philosophies and spiritual traditions, an almost mystical connection with the natural environment, the lessons she learned in her formative years, and more. Last month, she gave a first taste of the project with “Play God and Destroy the World,” an instantly compelling coming-of-age story featuring guest vocalist SG Goodman.
Earlier this month, Kiah played the Grand Ole Opry for the fifth time. Next month, she returns to Nashville for AmericanaFest before continuing her national tour with stops in North Carolina, New York, Michigan and more—see her full dates below.
Still + Bright tracklist:
1. Play God and Destroy the World (feat. SG Goodman) (Amythyst Kiah, Sadler Vaden)
2. SPACE (Kiah)
3. The Empire of Love (Kiah, Sean McConnell)
4. I will not go under (feat. Billy Strings) (Kiah, Butch Walker)
5. Silk and Petals (feat. Butch Walker) (Kiah)
6. Die Hard Without Complaining (feat. Avi Kaplan) (Kiah, Jeremy Lutito, Avi Kaplan)
7. Gods Under the Mountain (Kiah, McConnell)
8. Dead Stars (Kiah)
9. Dark Matter (Kiah)
10. Let’s Find Out (Kiah)
11. Never Alone (Kiah, Walker)
12. Popular Prayer (Kiah, Tim Armstrong)
Pre-save Still + Bright here
Upcoming tour dates:
August 24 | Arcadia Folk Festival | East Hampton, MA
September 20 | AmericanaFest | Nashville, Tennessee
September 27 | Rooted Rhythm Music Series | Fort Mill, SC
September 28 | IBMA 2024 | Raleigh, NC
October 11th | Reevesstock | Elkin, NC
October 12th | Floyd Country Store | Floyd, VA
October 18 | Caramoor Center for Music and Arts | Katonah, NY
October 19 | Berea College | Berea, Kentucky
November 14th | Stoughton Opera House | Stoughton, Wis
November 18 | Space | Evanston, Illinois
November 19th | The Ark | Ann Arbor, Mich
November 20 | Urban Beat | Lansing, Mich
February 20 and 21 | Memorial Hall | Chapel Hill, NC
February 22nd | Davis Theater | Concord, NC
