Rising industrial darkwaver I Ya Toyah’s new video for “Afterlight” has its exclusive worldwide premiere via the Women’s International Music Network today; check out the haunting, spectral offering here. The “Afterlight” video and single are being released in conjunction with Suicide Prevention Month (September), a very personal cause for I Ya Toyah. She explains, “’Afterlight’ is a song about accepting the dark side of life. It is a song about mental health, and it’s my most hopeful one yet. I wanted to release it during Suicide Prevention Month to not only help support this initiative that is extremely important to me, but also to remind everyone that it’s ok not to be ok…It’s not just our lonely fight, we are in this together and not alone – even when momentary emotions tell us otherwise.”
I Ya Toyah adds, “The music video production took us in strange and new creative endeavors. Director Alex Zarek executed our vision perfectly, using technology to create holograms to take the story a step further into my personal life. As a suicide loss survivor who lost her mother very suddenly, I always struggle with the different ways darkness hits me and reminds me how fragile we are mentally. The video is the story of darkness and light. I hope it resonates with viewers.”
About the Women’s International Music Network: The mission of the Women’s International Music Network™ is to create a hub to connect women in all facets of the music industry. Founded in 2012 by Laura B. Whitmore, a veteran marketer of the musical instrument and audio industries, the Women’s International Music Network site (TheWiMN.com) hosts news, events, and a community forum for women from all walks of the industry.
“Afterlight” is taken from the upcoming full-length album, DRAMA. Due out on October 4th, DRAMA is co-produced with/mixed by Stabbing Westward’s Walter Flakus. DRAMA features new material as well as a few previously available tracks from her recently-released EP, I AM THE FIRE. Click here to pre-order the album.
As previously reported, I Ya Toyah has been confirmed for a run of tour dates in Europe as support for electro-industrial icons Front Line Assembly. Prior to these dates she will play as part of the premier United States darkwave event of the year, the Cold Waves Festival (XII) on September 29th in her adopted hometown of Chicago at Metro. Please see below for tour dates.
I AM THE FIRE, the EP, was released earlier this year and is also produced with and mixed by Walter Flakus. Of it, Regen Magazine avowed, “The one-woman musical army continues to wage a powerful electro/industrial campaign…” Also earlier this year, I Ya Toyah wrapped an extensive American tour as support for Orgy and Cold. In addition to opening, she frequently joined Orgy on stage during their headlining set. Her live performance has received rave reviews with ZRockr Magazine dubbing her show “intriguing and hypnotic” and Melodic Mag declaring “…she captivated the audience…I Ya Toyah proved herself as a force to be reckoned with”.
I Ya Toyah is not just a musical act, she’s a movement. When spoken out loud in her native Polish, the words “I Ya Toyah” translate to “It’s just me” and “I am who I am”. These simple, but powerful words act as an unwavering mission statement that guides every aspect of her career. In just a few short years, the Chicago-based singer/songwriter/guitarist has released several recordings, organized the creation of multiple music videos, and toured the United States multiple times, most recently with Stabbing Westward. I Ya Toyah combines elements of industrial, pop, electro, darkwave, and alternative rock into a unique aural tapestry that acts as the perfect backdrop for her intensely personal lyrics; but it’s the power and versatility of her voice that really sets her apart. Her potent vocal performances effectively deliver a message that is modern, relatable, and speaks to the paranoia of everyday reality.
While she truly embodies the spirit of DIY, I Ya Toyah also actively embraces the collaborative nature of the industrial/darkwave music scene. Recent musical releases include projects with Raymond Watts (PIG, KMFDM), Julian Beeston (Nitzer Ebb, Cubanate), Rhys Fulber (Front Line Assembly, Delerium), Tim Skold (Shotgun Messiah, KMFDM, Marilyn Manson, Motionless in White), Phil Owen (Skatenigs), and Stabbing Westward, whose remix of her song “Pray” quickly brought her name to the top of the Industrial Electronic charts on Bandcamp. She is also an active member of The Joy Thieves, a 50+ member supergroup whose roster includes musicians who have worked with Ministry, Depeche Mode, Killing Joke, David Bowie, Nine Inch Nails, KMFDM, My Life With the Thrill Kill Kult, Nitzer Ebb, White Zombie, and more.
I Ya Toyah is a fierce advocate for mental wellness, as well as human and animal rights. Not content to simply raise awareness for these causes, she has donated 15% of the proceeds from the sales of her music and merchandise directly to organizations such as the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), and the Animal Hope and Wellness Foundation. Most recently, she participated in the recording of a version of the Beatles’ classic “Come Together” to raise funds for the people of the war-torn country of Ukraine. The project was arranged and mixed by legendary music producer John Fryer (Nine Inch Nails, Depeche Mode, Cocteau Twins). Participants included members of Faith No More, Stabbing Westward, Ministry, Rammstein, Filter, The Joy Thieves, Agnostic Front and more.
I Ya Toyah tour dates:
SEPTEMBER
29 Chicago, IL Metro (part of Cold Waves Festival)
NOVEMBER
26 Prague, Czech Republic MeetFactory*
27 Budapest, Hungary A38 Hajo*
29 Leipzig, Germany Hellraiser*
DECEMBER
1 Oberhausen, Germany Kulttempel*
2 Berlin, Germany Gretchen*
*supporting Front Line Assembly
For more information, please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/IYaToyah
https://www.instagram.com/iyatoyah
