Amythyst Kiah: Finding Roots (Redefining Yourself)

Call & Response

Born in Chattanooga, and based in Johnson City, Tennessee, Amythyst Kiah’s sound is a blend of old-time music and fingerpicking blues with a punk-indie sensibility. Like many of us who came up in the South, Amythyst had to find and define her voice, even as she was told she couldn’t be into Green Day or into skateboarding and also play the guitar. This week’s episode of Call & Response is for the people who are facing the brave work of reclaiming themselves, for the people who have found solace in the company of a guitar, and it’s a hope for you – to keep pushing forward in your blues. For the playlist of songs curated for this week’s episode visit: https://bit.ly/amythyst.

/ Music In This Week's Episode /

Leyla McCalla, “Girl”

Precious Bryant, “Don’t Let The Devil Ride”

Sunny War, “Mama’s Milk”

Jessie Mae Hemphill, “My Daddy’s Blues”

Elizabeth Cotten, “Gaslight Blues”

Kyshona Armstrong, “Fear”

Yasmin Williams, “Through The Woods”

/ Episode Notes /

Amythyst Kiah’s latest album is “Wary + Strange” is out now on Rounder Records.

Amythyst mentions James Spooner’s 2003 documentary “Afro-Punk” on Black punk fans navigating whitewashed alternative music scenes.

Amythyst says “Sissy That Walk” by RuPaul is the song that’s giving her life right now.

/ Credits /

Call & Response is a Sonos show produced by work x work: Scott Newman, Jemma Rose Brown, Adia Victoria, Ann Marie Awad and Daniel Rayzel. Our engineer is Sam Bair of The Relic Room.