Weyes Blood has opened up about “survivors guilt” following LA wildfires, and has launched a charity shirt with the American Red Cross to raise funds for those affected.
The singer – real name Natalie Mering – took to Instagram yesterday (February 8) to share her experience of the devasting fires that began on January 7, destroying more than 12,000 structures destroyed and requiring the evacuation of more than 150,000 residents.
Addressing her followers, she said that she was “emerging” from a period of hibernation to pay tribute to her “beautiful house” in Altadena, California. “I was displaced by the Eaton Fire and it’s taken a minute to fully absorb the emotional impact of it all, and share my little story,” she wrote.
“Altadena was a dream town, and this was a little dream house. I’ve written many songs there, I’ve played piano with squawking peacocks, layed on the roof and howled at the moon, had badminton tournaments, sang YouTube karaoke in my living room… It was my spot, and my imagination ran wild.”
The ‘Andromeda’ artist said that although her rented house didn’t burn down, some of her neighbours’ homes had. “I am left saddled with this feeling of gratitude to have my stuff (albeit smoke damaged) but also I am saddled with survivors guilt and a whole lot of uncertainty about the habitability of the structures left behind.”
After posting an Instagram carousel of photos showing the damage, she also shared a link to a limited edition Weyes Blood shirt made for the American Red Cross, which you can find here. All proceeds will go towards providing food and shelter to those impacted by the fires.
“Ultimately, I’m so grateful to have had a little chapter in this foothill paradise, even if it is over now,” Mering added.
“So yeah, there’s a little piece of me guys. Be tender … I’m back on my vagabond shit. I’m lucky that I can bring my music wherever with me, but not everyone is as lucky as I am — we can make a difference and bring a shred of hope to those who are still in need.”
A host of musicians have stepped up to help out the affected communities in the aftermath of the fires. Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD foundation donated $2.5million to help relief efforts, while Paris Hilton also launched a fund for families displaced by the fires, pledging $100,000 and promising to match up to $100,000 in donations. Dave Grohl also spent his birthday making meals for families that had been affected.
Other major fundraising efforts so far include the FireAid benefit concerts featuring the likes of Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Rod Stewart, Katy Perry, Joni Mitchell and many more, as well as the ‘G*ve A F*ck LA’ benefit that saw Hayley Williams, St. Vincent, Finneas and more perform.
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