Amythyst Kiah shares “I Will Not Go Down (feat. Billy Strings)," the second preview of her upcoming album, Still + Bright (coming Oct. 25th via Rounder Records) and a stunning example of Kiah’s rare ability to spin her fascinations into songs uncovering essential truths about human nature. The track is a furiously stomping fantasy-inspired folk epic, brimming with urgency. Featuring the iconic, nimble picking of bluegrass phenomenon Billy Strings, the track could be the soundtrack to any famed 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 a great hero’s journey,” says Kiah of the track. “The hero always rides into the unknown to seek answers and destroy a larger beast. These stories emphasize the importance of reflection, resilience, and restraint. Sometimes we have to ride into the unknown to seek these answers and see what we’re truly made of, without stopping to think that perhaps the beast that we are slaying, is in fact ourselves. I was incredibly stoked to have Billy Strings join in on this track and take us on his own journey, creating the most radiant guitar tapestry that could blind any foe that dares to cross him.”
Listen + pre-save Still + Bright here
Produced by Butch Walker (Taylor Swift, Green Day, Weezer), Kiah’s new 12-track Still + Bright explores the vast expanse of her inner world and interests: 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, and much more. Last month, she shared the first taste of the project with "Play God and Destroy the World," an immediately captivating coming-of-age tale featuring guest vocals by S.G. Goodman.
Earlier this month, Kiah played the Grand Ole Opry for the fifth time. She’ll return to Nashville next month for AmericanaFest before continuing touring the US with stops in North Carolina, New York, Michigan and more – see her full dates below.
Still + Bright Track List:
1. Play God and Destroy the World (feat. S.G. Goodman) (Amythyst Kiah, Sadler Vaden)
2. S P A C E (Kiah)
3. Empire of Love (Kiah, Sean McConnell)
4. I Will Not Go Down (feat. Billy Strings) (Kiah, Butch Walker)
5. Silk and Petals (feat. Butch Walker) (Kiah)
6. Die Slowly Without Complaint (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 See Ourselves Out (Kiah)
11. Never Alone (Kiah, Walker)
12. People’s Prayer (Kiah, Tim Armstrong)
Upcoming Tour Dates:
Aug. 24 | Arcadia Folk Festival | East Hampton, MA
Sep. 20 | AmericanaFest | Nashville, TN
Sep. 27 | Rooted Rhythm Music Series | Fort Mill, SC
Sep. 28 | IBMA 2024 | Raleigh, NC
Oct. 11 | Reevestock | Elkin, NC
Oct. 12 | Floyd Country Store | Floyd, VA
Oct. 18 | Caramoor Center for Music and The Arts | Katonah, NY
Oct. 19 | Berea College | Berea, KY
Nov. 14 | Stoughton Opera House | Stoughton, WI
Nov. 18 | Space | Evanston, IL
Nov. 19 | The Ark | Ann Arbor, MI
Nov. 20 | Urban Beat | Lansing, MI
Feb. 20 + 21 | Memorial Hall | Chapel Hill, NC
Feb. 22 | Davis Theatre | Concord, NC
