Amythyst Kiah

Amythyst Kiah was born on December 11, 1986, in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Her early exposure to various musical genres, from Jimi Hendrix to Dolly Parton, shaped her diverse artistic perspective. At 13, she began learning guitar through CD-ROM lessons, eventually transferring to a creative arts high school where she studied creative writing and classical guitar. These early experiences laid the foundation for her distinctive blend of musical styles. Following a personal loss at age 17, music became a significant coping mechanism for Kiah. She later attended East Tennessee State University, enrolling in the Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies program, where she joined the school’s marquee old-time band, further solidifying her connection to roots music.

Kiah began touring in 2010, performing solo and with her band, ‘Her Chest of Glass.’ She released her debut album, ‘Dig,’ in 2013, followed by the EP ‘Her Chest of Glass’ in 2016. A significant career turning point came with her participation in ‘Songs of Our Native Daughters’ in 2019, a collaboration with Rhiannon Giddens, Leyla McCalla, and Allison Russell, which aimed to highlight Black artists’ contributions to early American music. Her song “Black Myself,” featured on this album, earned her a 2020 Grammy Award nomination for Best American Roots Song. This recognition brought her wider acclaim and solidified her position as a compelling voice in Americana.

Her 2021 album, ‘Wary + Strange,’ released on Rounder Records and produced by Tony Berg, received critical acclaim, with ‘Rolling Stone’ including it in their list of “25 Best Country and Americana Albums of 2021.” The album explored themes of identity and personal struggle, including her mother’s suicide, which she addressed in the song “Wild Turkey.” In 2021, Kiah also collaborated with Moby on a reprise version of his single “Natural Blues.” Her most recent album, ‘Still + Bright,’ released in 2024 and produced by Butch Walker, showcased a new direction with collaborations and co-writing, further expanding her artistic range and exploring themes of self-discovery.