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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 best 25 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 her hypnotic intensity born from boldly stating 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.
This concert is the first program in an all new season of the "Our American Roots" Series produced by the Oak Ridge Institute for Continued Learning in partnership with the Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club.
The Implementation of Our American Roots is based on the following premise: The “us vs. them” mentality is pervasive in many areas. And yet, as members of the human race, we are all more alike than we are different. Even so, there are differences among us – differences in culture, language, beliefs, and values. If we can understand, respect, and appreciate these differences, we can bridge the gap between “us and them.” Our American Roots is designed to build bridges.
Our American Roots is presented by the Oak Ridge Institute for Continued Learning in partnership with the Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club.
Venue provided by:
Oak Ridge High School Performing Arts Center
Other support provided by:
Tennessee Arts Commission
Rotary District 6780
Periodic Tables of Oak Ridge
Donations are welcome.
For more information, contact Jim Palmer at 865-368-4810 or Ruby Miller at 865-300-6304.
Roane State Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity or national origin, sex, disability, age, status as protected veteran or any other class protected by Federal or State laws and regulation and by Tennessee board of Regents policies with respect to employment, programs, and activities. View full non-discrimination policy.
