Press Releases
EPIPHONE PREMIERES THE JOURNEY: ON THE GROUND WITH THE ARTISTS SHAPING THE SOUND OF EUROPE
| Today, Epiphone proudly premieres The Journey, an ongoing video series that goes beyond the spotlight to reveal what it truly means to build a life in music. Following artists across Europe as they write, rehearse, travel and perform, The Journey captures the work, friendships, resilience and defining moments that shape a musician’s path—long before the stage lights rise and long after the final note fades. Launching in the series this week is Kitty A. Austen, vocalist and guitarist of acclaimed UK alternative band Saint Agnes. Her episode presents an intimate and unfiltered portrait of an artist for whom the guitar is far more than an instrument: it is her voice, her story and a vital force within the uncompromising creative world she has built alongside her bandmates. From childhood dreams of playing the biggest stages to transforming grief into powerful, deeply personal music, Austen’s story embodies the heart of The Journey—the belief that success is found not only in the destination, but in every step taken to reach it. The series also features Reuben Moonasar, bass player for British rock band Dead Air, and Jiri Taihuttu, frontman and guitarist of Dutch band De Nachtwacht. Upcoming episodes will feature Plumes and Alessi Rose. The Journey moves from secluded rehearsal spaces and writing sessions to backstage corridors and electrifying live performances, offering a vivid look at three distinct musical paths. Together, their stories are united by a shared commitment to creative expression, the transformative power of performing live, and the communities and lifelong friendships formed through music. “The Epiphone promise is For Every Player, For Every Stage, and The Journey brings that promise to life,” says Lee Bartram, Head of Commercial, Marketing, and Cultural Influence at Gibson EMEA. “These films celebrate more than the performance. They reveal the dedication, resilience, and relationships behind the music—and the many different ways an artist can define success.” Across The Journey, Epiphone meets musicians in the places where music truly happens: bedrooms and rehearsal rooms, studios and vans, backstage corridors and festival stages. The series brings viewers closer to the realities of an artist’s life—from the breakthrough moments and unforgettable performances to the uncertainty, sacrifice, and determination that rarely make it on camera. Each film asks what it means to create a life in music—and what success looks like when measured not only by audiences, streams, or sold-out shows, but also by artistic growth, personal connection, creative freedom, and the determination to keep moving forward. From the first chord played at home to the roar of a festival crowd, The Journey celebrates the full arc of an artist’s story: For Every Player, For Every Stage. EPIPHONE THE JOURNEY: KITTY A. AUSTEN OF SAINT AGNES |
 Above: Kitty A. Austen of Saint Agnes. Kitty A. Austen takes center stage in the premiere episode of The Journey. From receiving her first Epiphone Les Paul™ Junior as a child to commanding major festival stages with Saint Agnes, Kitty’s story embodies the evolution at the heart of the series. In the film, she recalls playing guitar and dreaming of performing to huge audiences—dreams that have since become a reality, with Epiphone remaining part of her journey. Today, Kitty plays an Epiphone Explorer™, an instrument she describes as both iconic and inseparable from the intensity of her performance style. “I have the kind of guitar that should be played at big shows,” says Kitty. “I crank up the amp, and you have to listen to me.” As Saint Agnes’ creative axis, Kitty helps shape every dimension of the band’s world—from its music and production to its striking visual identity and explosive live performances. Alongside bandmates Jon James Tufnell and Andrew Head, she has helped Saint Agnes build an international following through critically acclaimed releases, millions of streams, and appearances at leading festivals, including Download, 2000trees, and Hellfest. The episode also explores how music became a lifeline for Kitty following the loss of her mother. Working closely with her bandmates, she transformed an intensely difficult period into art with meaning and purpose. “Being able to make something really meaningful from the worst experience of my life helped me come to terms with what happened,” Kitty explains. “It was a lifeline.” For Kitty, success is not a distant destination or a single career milestone. It is the ability to create music, play shows, make albums, travel, and share the experience with her closest friends. “My life is music, and to me, that’s the success,” she says. “It is the journey. It’s not the destination. We are living it. We’re doing it. This is it.” WATCH: Epiphone The Journey—Kitty A. Austen of Saint Agnes featuring the band’s single “The Beast”: HERE. |
| Follow Saint Agnes: Instagram — @wearesaintagnes EPIPHONE THE JOURNEY: REUBEN MOONASAR OF DEAD AIR |
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| Above: Dead Air. Reuben Moonasar, bass player, is pictured center. In another installment of The Journey, Epiphone follows Reuben Moonasar, bass player for Dead Air, from the band’s writing and rehearsal space at Treehouse Studios in Cranleigh, Surrey, to a live performance at EartH in Hackney, London. Reuben discusses the creative freedom behind Dead Air’s EP, World Wide Villainy, the focus required during pre-show rehearsals, and the realities of balancing life in a touring band with everyday financial and professional pressures. At Treehouse Studios, the band’s secluded surroundings allow its members to work without limitations. “Not only are we far away from anyone, so you can just make as much noise as you want—it lets us be as creative as we want to be,” Reuben says. “I think that’s completely changed how we write.” Reuben plays the Epiphone Grabber Bass in Ebony and the Epiphone Mike Dirnt Grabber G-3 in Silverburst, instruments that complement his full, aggressive approach to rock and punk bass. Dead Air guitarist Lyle Broom plays the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird™ V in Cherry. Beyond rehearsals and gear, Reuben’s episode captures the less visible side of being in a working band: paying bills, fitting jobs around touring, and finding the determination to continue during periods of uncertainty. For Reuben, the answer lies in the friendships, conversations, and shared experiences between shows—as well as the unforgettable connection created with an audience. “Looking out at the fans and seeing them going absolutely feral—that moment, you’re just lucky,” he says. “My whole life is music, and that’s all I want it to be.” WATCH: Epiphone The Journey—Reuben Moonasar of Dead Air: HERE. |
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| Follow Dead Air: Official links | Instagram — @officialdeadair EPIPHONE: THE JOURNEY JIRI TAIHUTTU OF DE NACHTWACHT |
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| Above: De Nachtwacht with Jiri Taihuttu, frontman and guitarist, pictured centered. The series travels to Amsterdam to meet Jiri Taihuttu, frontman and guitarist of De Nachtwacht, whose lifelong relationship with the guitar has taken him from music school at the age of seven to the center of one of the Netherlands’ most promising new bands. Previously known for his work in hip-hop, Jiri made a deliberate artistic shift toward a band built around interplay, musicality, and live performance. De Nachtwacht’s warm, layered Dutch-language music moves between pop, soft rock, and funk, balancing classic songwriting with a contemporary perspective. “The guitar is inseparable from who I am,” says Jiri. “It’s in my DNA. From the moment I’m onstage, everything just falls away. I’m not Jiri Taihuttu anymore. Then I’m De Nachtwacht—and I’m in my element.” During De Nachtwacht’s Amsterdam performance, Jiri plays an Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom 1963 Les Paul SG™ Custom with Maestro™ Vibrola™ in Classic White, while guitarist Dani Kaag plays an Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom 1964 SG Standard Reissue with Maestro Vibrola in Antique Pelham Blue. Explore the Epiphone SG models on www.epiphone.com. For Jiri, success begins with the freedom to continue making music. “What is success? For me, it’s hard to define,” he says. “I’m doing what I enjoy. Music. That already feels like success. Period.” WATCH: The Journey—Jiri Taihuttu of De Nachtwacht HERE. |
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| Follow De Nachtwacht on Instagram — @denachtwacht_ Gibson Europe & UK: Facebook: Gibson Europe | Gibson UK | Epiphone UKInstagram: @gibsoneurope | @gibsonguitaruk | @epiphoneukThreads: @gibsoneurope | @gibsonguitarukBluesky: @gibsoneurope.bsky.social | @gibsonguitaruk.bsky.social Epiphone: EPIPHONE.COM | X | IG | FB | YT Gibson: GIBSON.COM | X | IG | FB | TT | GIBSON APP | GIBSON GARAGE NASHVILLE | GIBSON GARAGE LONDON | GIBSON CERTIFIED VINTAGE | GIBSON RECORDS | GIBSON GAZETTE | GIBSON GIVES | GIBSON LIFESTYLE | GIBSON TV EN ESPANOL | GIBSON TV Kramer: KRAMERGUITARS.COM | X | IG | FB | YT MESA/Boogie: MESABOOGIE.COM | X | IG | FB KRK: KRKMUSIC.COM | X | IG | FB | YT Maestro: MAESTROELECTRONICS.COM | IG About Epiphone:Epiphone: For Every Player, For Every Stage. Founded in 1873, Epiphone has spent more than 150 years shaping the sound of modern music. From its Ottoman Empire origins crafting lutes and fiddles to defining the Jazz Age in America with celebrated archtops and making 1960s London swing, the Epiphone legacy is built on craftsmanship, innovation, and creativity. Its instruments have powered the music of The Beatles, Les Paul, John Lee Hooker, Alex Lifeson, Oasis, Nancy Wilson, Lzzy Hale Gary Clark Jr., Jared James Nichols, Emily Wolfe, Yungblud, and many more. Today, the brand is the trusted choice for both emerging players and touring artists alike, offering reliable, stage-ready instruments backed by Gibson quality standards and a lifetime guarantee. Whether you’re playing for fun at home or rocking out under bright lights in front of thousands of fans, Epiphone is for every player, at every stage of their journey. For more information, visit Epiphone.com and follow Epiphone on X, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. |
