MUSIC PROFILE: Amythyst Kiah
AMYTHYST KIAH
PHOTOGRAPHY BY RANDY GENTRY | STORY BY AMYTHYST KIAH
Amythyst Kiah
is a singer/ songwriter and a contemporary roots-music fusionist based out of Johnson City, TN, which has been her permanent residence for the past 7 years. Most people have a difficult time describing her sound, but she defines it simply as “southern roots music.” Not only are her influences eclectic, but they span across decades. She draws heavily on Old Time music (Mississippi Sheiks, Son House, Jimmie Rodgers, Olla Belle Reed, Carter Family) and is inspired by vocal stylings of R&B and Country music from the ‘50s-’70s (Big Mama Thornton, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Mahalia Jackson, Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn). She also draws heavily from contemporary artists that have similar powerful vocal integrity (Adele, Florence and the Machine, Joss Stone, Jessie J, Janelle Monae, Bonni Raitt). Needless to say, Amythyst has got a lot of tools in her vocal tool box, and is also well on her way to join the powerhouse vocalist pantheon. Her sound on her new album, “Dig”, is raw and sparse, with heavy lyrical content regarding such themes as loss, betrayal, and murder. OCTOBER 2013 | VIPSEEN | 63