South African born singer-songwriter Ashton Nyte recently shared his cinematic dark-folk video, Waiting For A Voice. The video is the title track of Nyte's new album, released in conjunction with his first book of poetry, lyrics, short stories, and musings, published by Intervention Arts.
Waiting For A Voice, Nyte's 7th solo album was largely written and recorded after his 36 date European tour with Wayne Hussey (The Mission) concluded in October last year, and features his most personal songwriting to date. Dubbed the “lovechild of Johnny Cash and David Bowie” by NPR, the new work sees Nyte blending poetry with haunting acoustic minimalism, animated by his rich, diverse baritone voice. The album contains 11 original songs, written, performed, and produced by Nyte, along with an intimate rendition of David Bowie's "Heroes," dedicated to Nyte's father, who passed earlier this year. The accompanying 134pg book expands on themes explored on the album, and is available in hardcover and paperback, along with vinyl, CD and digital versions of the album.
"In quiet desperation
I pulled the words aside
To cover up the violence
That blurred my aching my mind
And gazing through the portholes
Deafened by the noise
I spoke into the ocean
I’m waiting for a voice”
(Waiting For A Voice - Ashton Nyte)
Now based in the USA, Ashton Nyte is a South African born composer, singer, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and writer. He has released 7 solo albums, in addition to 9 albums as The Awakening, one of South Africa's most prominent alternative rock bands. He has also contributed lyrics and vocals to several projects - most recently Beauty In Chaos, which features members of The Cure and Cheap Trick among others.
Ashton has written and performed in theatrical productions and organized philanthropic events including his Rock Against Rape concert series, and presenting a lecture series at US universities focusing on tolerance and acceptance. He is a prolific songwriter, with a released catalogue of over 250 songs, including an Afrikaans-language album, “Moederland” (2014) which was named one of the top 10 albums of the year by Netwerk24 in South Africa.
Ashton has toured extensively and headlined festivals in the US, Europe, and South Africa, including Ramfest and the Oppikoppi Festival to over 30 000 people.
Last year also saw Ashton working on the score of “Don't Let Go," which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2019. He is currently working on a number of album re-issue projects, along with on-line performances, and will tour the new book and album when it is safe to do so.
Please email Damin Smit interventionarts@gmail.com for interview requests or more info.
Stream full album below.
Ashton Nyte - Waiting For A Voice (album)
Released on 20 July 2020
All words and music written by Ashton Nyte, published by Intervention Arts / ASCAP (2020) except
"Heroes" written by David Bowie / Brian Eno, published by Universal Music Publishing Group (1977)
All songs performed, recorded, mixed and produced by Ashton Nyte at Intervention Studios (USA)
