Gothic Rock / Darkwave act The Awakening shares their new single 'Mirror Midnight', which underscores historical tendency towards self-obsession and the media's recurring manipulation of self-perception. This is the first taste of their self-titled album (their 12th to date), which will be released on October 18 via Intervention Arts.
Now based in the USA, The Awakening is a dark musical project formed in Johannesburg, South Africa in the late ’90s as the creative expression of vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Ashton Nyte, who was anointed as "Johannesburg's Bowie" for his widely varying musical styles and theatrical performances. Having morphed over the years, The Awakening's sound incorporates numerous genres, including gothic rock, darkwave, post-punk, electronic rock, folk noir, new wave and more.
Also an author, actor and Renaissance man of sorts, Ashton Nyte created the 'Mirror Midnight' video, shot in his preferred black-and-white format, with a gothic noir film treatment.
"Mirror Midnight is about the obsession of the self, as guided and fed and manipulated by mass media, social media and the endless flood of information and disinformation we all deal with constantly. It's the juxtaposition of succumbing to insidious and divisive marketing while the world goes up in flames. And how that cycle feeds itself. It's a story almost as old as time, like the fairy tale it alludes to," says Ashton Nyte.
'The Awakening' album follows Nyte's second book and eighth solo album 'Autumn's Children', which was selected as one of American Songwriter's Top 17 Albums of 2023. This new album is a celebration of the band's roots and influences. "Essentially, I fell in love all over again with the bands and albums that made me want to create this sort of art in the first place. It was a true joy to create this work," says Ashton Nyte.
"The last two Awakening albums were departures for me. 'This Alchemy' (2021) explored the more electronic side of my musical personality, and 'The Passage Remains' (2022) effectively cleared out the vaults of unreleased heavier material. It feels like it's time to come home."
A core contributor to LA-based supergroup Beauty In Chaos, having been involved with every album released to date, Nyte has collaborated with members of The Cure, The Mission, Tricky, All About Eve, as well as Peter Murphy's band. 2024 also saw Nyte involved in the latest Beauty In Chaos album 'Dancing With Angels'.
Having toured extensively and headlined music festivals in the USA, Europe, and South Africa to upwards of 30,000 people, Nyte has also written and performed in theatrical productions and hosted philanthropic events, including his “Rock Against Rape” concert series. He has also presented a lecture series at US universities focusing on tolerance and acceptance.
With a catalogue of over 300 released original songs, Ashton Nyte and The Awakening have enjoyed airplay and chart success on radio stations worldwide, with songs also featured in popular television shows, such as 'Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin' and 'The Purge'. Nyte has contributed to several scores, working with composer Ethan Gold for the movie 'Don't Let Go' (premiering at the Sundance Film Festival) and for the movie 'Pale Horse', directed by the late Pearry Teo.
As of September 4, 'Mirror Midnight' can be downloaded from fine music platforms. 'The Awakening' album, now available for pre-order, will be released on vinyl, CD, digitally and various limited-edition formats.
From the end of September, EU and UK fans can hear the new material live in a career-spanning solo acoustic tour later this year. This will be Nyte's first post-Covid tour, following a 36-date EU tour with The Mission's Wayne Hussey in 2019. Tickets are available via The Awakening's official site.
SINGLE CREDITS
All music and lyrics by Ashton Nyte
Published by Intervention Arts / ASCAP (2024)
Recorded, mixed & produced by Ashton Nyte at Intervention Studios (USA)
Cover artwork & artist photos by Ashton Nyte
Publicity by Shameless Promotion PR
Video created by Ashton Nyte
