THE AWAKENING – “MIRROR MIDNIGHT”
A SPILL EXCLUSIVE VIDEO PREMIERE
Today we present a special something for fans of The Sisters Of Mercy, HIM and The Mission, not to mention lovers of good music otherwise, as we welcome the latest offering from gothic rock outfitΒ The Awakening. Formed in 1990s Johannesburg, South Africa, The Awakening revolves around the sonic universe of vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriterΒ Ashton Nyte, whose work we are already acquainted with through his collaborations with LA-based supergroupΒ Beauty In Chaos, including the newly-released BIC albumΒ Dancing With Angels.
The Awakeningβs new single “Mirror Midnight” is a rich dark and satisfying serving of their forthcomingΒ self-titled album (their 12th album since inception), out October 18 viaΒ Intervention Arts.Β Also an actor and author, it comes as no surprise that Nyte himself filmed and edited theΒ “Mirror Midnight” video, shot in his preferred black-and-white format, with a gothic noir film treatment.
Straight to the heart of contemporary psyche, this lush, dark, and infectious track weaves a haunting narrative of self-obsession, fueled by the relentless onslaught of media and social media. With convincing lyrical and evocative imagery, The Awakening paints a vivid picture of a society consumed by image and the dangers of the deep dark web β a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked self-obsession and the seductive allure of media manipulation. With a message as enduring as fairy tales, this song serves as a reminder of the timeless nature of human folly. A legacy act in their own right, The Awakening offers us a stunning, most welcome introduction to their newest album.
Ashton Nyte shared some insight into the new single: “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”.
The AwakeningΒ 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 albumΒ 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,” saysΒ Ashton Nyte.
“The last two Awakening albums were departures for me. This Alchemy (2021) explored the more electronic side of my musical personality, andΒ The Passage RemainsΒ (2022) effectively cleared out the vaults of unreleased heavier material. It feels like it’s time to come home.”
Apart from working with Beauty In Chaosβ Michael Ciravolo and Grammy nominated Ministry producer Michael Rozon, Nyte has collaborated with members ofΒ The Cure, The Mission, Tricky, All About Eve, as well asΒ Peter Murphy’s band, among others. Over the years, The Awakening has toured extensively and headlined music festivals in the USA, Europe, and South Africa to upwards of 30,000 people.
Nyte has written and performed in theatrical productions and hosted philanthropic events, including his βRock Against Rapeβ concert series. He has also presented a lecture series at US universities focusing on tolerance and acceptance. Heβd also seen success in the sync licensing realms with popular television shows, such asΒ ‘Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin’Β andΒ ‘The Purge’.Β Nyte has contributed to several scores, working with composer Ethan Gold for the movieΒ ‘Don’t Let Go’Β (premiering at the Sundance Film Festival) and for the movieΒ ‘Pale Horse’, directed by the late Pearry Teo.
As of September 4, “Mirror Midnight”can be downloaded from fine music platforms. The AwakeningΒ album, now available for pre-order, will be released on vinyl, CD, digitally and various limited-edition formats. Following his 36-date EU tour with The Mission’s Wayne Hussey in 2019, Ashton Nyte returns to Europe and the UK soon, with live dates commencing on September 28. Tickets are available viaΒ 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 byΒ Shameless Promotion PR
Video created by Ashton Nyte
While you are here, also enjoy the latest output from The Awakening and Ashton Nyte:
The Awakening
[Single]
(Intervention Arts)
Release Date: September 4, 2024
Tour Dates
Sept 28 ILMENAU, GERMANY – Campus Noir Festival
Sept 29 LONDON, UK – The Water Rats
Oct 02 YORK, UK – Fulford Arms
Oct 03 EDINBURGH, UK – Cabaret Voltaire
Oct 04 SHEFFIELD, UK – Record Junkee
Oct 25 KARLSRUHE, GERMANY – KOHI Kulturraum
Oct 26 DORTMUND, GERMANY – Pauluskirche
Oct 27 RETIE, BELGIUM – Cafe Foli-A
Nov 01 HAMBURG, GERMANY – Maria’s Ballroom
Nov 02 APELDOORN, THE NETHERLANDS – Brainstorm Festival (SOLD OUT)
ArtistΒ Links
Photo Credits: Ashton Nyte
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