enter the nyte....

David — Mon, 27 Nov 2006 03:36:32 GMT

One of the most persistent rumours about the SA music industry, especially when you are talking rock music, is that you cannot make a living out of it, and that if you are not signed to a major label you are doomed. Well, in order to debunk those twin myths, i sent Ashton Nyte a few questions.

Ashton has been out here working his tail off for some time and has achieved some remarkable succeses. And yet, his name remains opaque to many. Now I know that hardly a million people read this blog, but here is somer of the real story from The Awakening, and the man behind the band (and the Red Room!) Ashton Nyte.

1) Most people probably still think of you as this uber Goth thanks to the legacy of the Awakening. But I’ve heard you DJ-ing Kylie Minogue. How much of a Goth are you still, and what does that legacy mean to you?

My roots have and will always be entwined in the soft velvety rope of Gothdom :). With The Awakening we have attempted to redefine and refine our sound with each album – a growth process I’m told. So no, not traditional goth, more of a hybrid of all things dark and dramatic. As for Kylie, she is a goddess worth worshipping.

2) In the beginning, there was the Awakening, and you did really well with that band… overseas tours and sales and good coverage here in SA. What prompted you to start the other projects like the Nudes and The Accused?

Primarily prompted by my rejection of the ‘every man must sleep,’ myth. I just write compulsively and eclectically. It soon became evident that I could not keep all those creative eggs in the same basket any longer. Visit www.ashtonnyte.com for more…

3) The Awakening at one stage seemed poised to be one of the biggest rock bands in SA… sort of around the mid nineties… and then it all faded quietly away, and now the band is a well established and respected member of the community, but not the monster that some of those contemporaries became. How did that happen?

I’ve always had the need to stay true to the spirit of the art I’m creating. If something seems to be slipping or cracking, then some rest and rejuvenation is probably in order. We’ve never been one of those bands who host “final show” after “final show” in some desperate ploy to milk the fans for their last pennies. The Awakening is undead after all :)

The Awakening: Raodside heretics. Click here to buy any or all of the Awakening catalogue!

4) Over the years you have always ended up doing everything yourself, from running the record company, to writing all the music and sometimes even recording entire albums on your own. Why is this? Do you truly just prefer it?

I did. I think something’s starting to give though, as The Awakening band members are playing more of a creative role than ever before. Additionally, their pole dancing skills are truly something to behold!

5) If you took all the people who have played for the Awakening over the years and put them together in a room, you could probably form quite a few bands. Quite a lot of these people have gone on to do great stuff as well. Why has there been such a high turn over rate though?

Unfortunately, life tends to get in the way of a creative existence. Many band members fell by the wayside, due to having to deal with all the other stuff life throws at you and not being able to marry that up with The Awakening’s world. I think I’ve only ever fired one band member and he’s still buried in my back garden. Visit www.awakening.co.za for more…

6) You must be one of the most unknown people in the business considering the scope of your actual achievements, both as a recording artist and as a record label business person. Please give us the highlights of your career, as a quick refresher course for the ignorant.

Ok, break out the trumpet...

Well I guess The Awakening pretty much did all you could do in SA by the ripe old age of 3 (1999):- number ones, TV coverage, media, orgies, blah blah and finally headlining the Oppikoppi’s and the like, leaving little else to strive for here (unfortunately). Since then our music has been available and has charted everywhere from Russia, to the UK to Germany to the USA. We have 8 albums out, I have 4 solo albums out, we’ve toured the USA, been featured on MTV Europe, saved lives in Iraq and are now signed to Massacre Records in Germany. We’ll be touring Europe and the states again in early 2007 and still show no visible signs of ageing (??)

Oh and yes, I run Intervention Arts, the label responsible for putting us on the map, as well as Not My Dog, The Narrow, Silex and many others. As far as distribution, we are and were instrumental in selling loads of cds for our own artists as well as by bands like Tweak in their heyday. Our most recent signing is Jo Day’s latest release “Princess” and so we soldier on…visit www.interventionarts.com for more…

The Red Room: If you haven't been already, find out where, when, how by clicking here!

7) You are the person responsible for resurrecting alternative night life in JHB in the form of The Red Room. What on earth inspired you to open a nightclub?

My friends and I needed somewhere to go where the music was actually more important than your hairstyle, drug-intake or brand of clothing. Naturally the music had to be good, diverse and interesting and the mood somewhat Lynch-esque…and so a new entity was born. It has been inspiring to see how many similarly-minded events and clubs have sprung up since we started The Red Room. Next up – the world hunger relief program. Visit www.redroom.co.za for more :)

8) Traditionally in SA, the live music scene has largely been an alternative one. Now, we have some seriously commercial bands on our airwaves, but the live scene still seems to be dominated by alternative acts. What is your take on this?

This is due to the fact that Alternative-minded people are the Master Race and truly understand. Eventually we’ll get those “seriously commercial” bands out of our clubs, off our radio stations and out of the bloody country! And while we’re at it, eradicate R&B from the global community as well!

9) You’ve just released another awakening album and have been touring it. How do you feel about the new songs, and where the Awakening project and sound is going?

I am excited by it. “Razor Burn” was a difficult album to complete but I’m glad to say, was worth the struggle. It somehow feels like we’ve come home again, only to find the home has grown into something quite surreal and so much bigger and more interesting than the way we left it. (and Kate Beckinsale is my domestic help, naughty little vamp).

10) As someone who has been busy in the SA music industry for as long as you have, and from so many different perspectives, what is your take on the current state of the nation with regards to SA music: both rock oriented and more commercial stuff?

Something great must be brewing. Lord knows we have little or no support form SA media, radio and television so the underground is alive and well again and growing in numbers. Viva la Resistance and for the love of Lou, lets get the Revolution on track!

11) You are definitely not someone who is afraid of challenging people’s perceptions of you, as witnessed by your many projects… Where does that come from? Do you really just not care if the Goth faithful is shocked by your indie rock exploits?

I think creating anything for a specific market is limiting and mind-numbingly boring. I always strive to keep myself entertained and truly make art of consequence, whatever shape that may choose.

12) What is your personal philosophy on life? Are you religious? How do you view the nature of our universe, and do you try and imbue your music with any sense of this?
I think my music speaks for itself.

13) Perched where you are right now, on top of so many years of experience with so many aspects of the music business, what wise words can you hand down as your parting shot of this interview to any bands out there that you have seen?

Stay true to who you are and apologize to nobody. And above all be honest, passionate and remember to shake your ass on stage (or on the dancefloor)!

The Chiz : red room

enter the nyte....