When Hurricane Helene ravaged Western North Carolina in September, the storm left rather more than bodily 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 catastrophe that slammed us all, and slammed MANNA FoodBank.”
MANNA FoodBank
From that heartbreak rose The Flood: Music for MANNA, a robust new compilation album. Out now, the 14-track mission 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 an area music neighborhood that refuses to be washed away.
“There were so many hero stories,” Smith provides. “MANNA stood out because they didn’t miss a beat. Their whole warehouse was trashed, but they were still giving out food within days. That kind of spirit needed to be honored and helped.”
Each artist on The Flood donated some or all of their publishing royalties to assist MANNA’s ongoing restoration, and all proceeds from gross sales of the album will assist 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 man who shook as he cried on my shoulder,” Hayley Everett recollects in her devastating lyrics. “I watched a child play in the mud that took his home.”
“And there were lines, lines for everything,” croons Steve Silver. “Water, propane, gasoline, groceries. Ice and cash was king.”
“Cut off from society, really tested my sobriety,” sings Lisa “Sas” Sasdelli. “I’ve never seen this town come more alive.”
MANNA FoodBank
Every track is a window into private and collective grief, but additionally into resilience. They chronicle not solely what was misplaced, however what was discovered within the aftermath: neighbors changing into household, strangers lending fingers and a neighborhood refusing to interrupt. Seven months later, the small mountain communities of Western North Carolina are nonetheless choosing up the items.
To additional assist the trigger, a dwell profit live performance has been deliberate for Sunday, Could 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 may be one of the most moving shows we’ve ever produced,” he says of the donation-based occasion. “We’re bringing the healing music back to where the destruction was deepest.”
Stream The Flood: Music For MANNA beneath. You’ll be able to donate and be taught extra right here.
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Observe MANNA FoodBank:
Instagram: instagram.com/manna_foodbank
Fb: fb.com/MANNAFoodBank
Spotify: spoti.fi/2WHsl2t
