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A CONVERSATION with AMYTHYST KIAH by Andrea Cuevas

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A CONVERSATION with AMYTHYST KIAH by Andrea Cuevas THE ARTIST SPEAKS A CONVERSATION WITH AMYTHYST KIAH By Andrea Cuevas AC: What are some things you are 5. Cooking–favorite things I’ve made so far enjoying (or learning to cope with) during are Coconut Chana Saag (made with kale quarantine? instead of spinach) and Ancho-Lentil Tacos! AMYTHYST KIAH AK: In no particular order: 6. Short hikes in the woods–due to where I Born in Chattanooga and based in Johnson 1. Gaming–Animal Crossing has been my live and the current socio-political climate, City, Amythyst Kiah’s commanding thing lately. I won’t say where. stage presence is matched by her raw 2. Reading nonfiction–Caffeine Blues and 7. Listening to music–re-listening to my and powerful vocals—a deeply moving, How Not to Die are current reads. favorite dance albums and digging into hypnotic sound that stirs echoes of a distant 3. Graphic novels–currently obsessed with new (and new to me) dance music, from and restless past. Saga. 90’s style house to Motown to industrial Accompanied interchangeably with banjo, acoustic guitar, or a full band, her eclectic 4. Training – building to up to running and nu metal, ie., Lady Gaga, the Marvelettes, Rhiannon Giddens, Amythyst Kiah, Allison Russell, and Leyla McCalla on the red carpet influences span decades, finding inspira- plan to start my first powerlifting program and Static-X are all in my music library. of the 2019 Americana Honors & Awards (photo by Erika Goldring) tion in old time music, alternative rock, soon. 8. Spending quality time with my partner folk, country, and blues. and my father. Our Native Daughters, her recent col- 9. Invested in some good equipment to re- laboration with Rhiannon Giddens, cord music with at home “Farewell, Voice Leyla McCalla, and Allison Russell, has Memo Demos!” delivered a full-length album produced by Rhiannon Giddens and Dirk Powell, AC: Have you discovered anything new? Songs of Our Native Daughters (out now AK: Everything I’ve listed above are all on Smithsonian Folkways). NPR described things I’ve wanted to pursue but never the opening track, “Black Myself”, written gave myself the time. Now I’ve learned by Amythyst, as “the simmering defiance that no matter what happens, I need to al- of self-respect in the face of racism.” The Their latest release, Songs of Our Native Daughters, is out now. ways make time to take care of myself! song was nominated for a Grammy for Best American Roots Song. AC: What’s the first thing you want to The supergroup hit the road in July 2019 do once we are free to gather? with a series of special dates that includ- AK: Either play a live gig or see a live ed performances at Washington D.C.’s show, whichever comes first! Smithsonian Museum of African Ameri- can History & Culture as well as Newport Folk Festival. www.amythystkiah.com Amythyst KiahJames Leynse) Our Native Daughters perform at Austin City Limits (photo by Wade Payne)..
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