When Hurricane Helene ravaged Western North Carolina in September, the storm left way more than physical wreckage in its wake. It destroyed lives.
One of many area’s most important lifelines was MANNA FoodBank, whose warehouse in Swannanoa was gutted by the hurricane’s catastrophic floodwaters. However even in disaster, the nonprofit didn’t cease.
With their infrastructure decimated and provides ruined, MANNA continued its mission to distribute meals to these in determined want. Asheville-based musician and producer Man Smith witnessed that resilience firsthand.
“The devastation was biblical,” he tells EDM.com. “A gut-wrenching disaster that slammed us all, and slammed MANNA FoodBank.”
MANNA FoodBank
From that heartbreak rose The Flood: Music for MANNA, a strong new compilation album. Out now, the 14-track challenge is a sweeping illustration of Asheville’s bizarre and splendidly eclectic music scene, typically dubbed “the Austin of the East.” With folks, gospel, blues, rock, experimental music and extra, it is a microcosm of the soul of a neighborhood music group that refuses to be washed away.
“There have been so many hero tales,” Smith provides. “MANNA stood out as a result of they didn’t miss a beat. Their entire warehouse was trashed, however they had been nonetheless giving out meals inside days. That sort of spirit wanted to be honored and helped.”
Each artist on The Flood donated some or all of their publishing royalties to help MANNA’s ongoing restoration, and all proceeds from gross sales of the album will help the group’s efforts.
It’s a tapestry of lived expertise, conjuring haunting imagery of muddy boots, rising rivers and prayer teams woven with uncooked vocals and soul-stirring melodies that received’t let the story fade. The songwriting is aching, capturing each the literal and emotional aftershocks of the flood.
“I held a person who shook as he cried on my shoulder,” Hayley Everett remembers in her devastating lyrics. “I watched a toddler play within the mud that took his house.”
“And there have been strains, strains for all the pieces,” croons Steve Silver. “Water, propane, gasoline, groceries. Ice and money was king.”
“Reduce off from society, actually examined my sobriety,” sings Lisa “Sas” Sasdelli. “I’ve by no means seen this city come extra alive.”
MANNA FoodBank
Every music is a window into private and collective grief, but in addition into resilience. They chronicle not solely what was misplaced, however what was discovered within the aftermath: neighbors turning into household, strangers lending fingers and a group refusing to interrupt. Seven months later, the small mountain communities of Western North Carolina are nonetheless selecting up the items.
To additional help the trigger, a live benefit concert has been deliberate for Sunday, Might 4th at White Horse Black Mountain, simply minutes from Swannanoa, probably the most devastated communities within the area. All 14 songwriters will carry out, in accordance with Smith.
“This can be probably the most transferring reveals we’ve ever produced,” he says of the donation-based occasion. “We’re bringing the therapeutic music again to the place the destruction was deepest.”
Stream The Flood: Music For MANNA under. You possibly can donate and be taught extra here.
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