In tough times, it may be hard to know how to help. In the case of Durango band StillHouse Junkies, they decided to help 416 Fire relief efforts by doing what they do best: writing and recording a song.
“416” is available online, and for donations of at least $1, you can download a digital track of the song. All proceeds will go to the Community Emergency Relief Foundation, which helps those in need.
The Americana, roots and blues band, which has had its current lineup for about a year, includes Cody Tinnin on bass, Fred Kosak on guitar and mandolin, and Alissa Wolf on fiddle.
The song was born of emotions brought on by the 416 Fire, said Kosak, who moved into Falls Creek the day the fire started.
“I was having a lot of frustration with the fire and feeling on edge like a lot of people. I’m in Falls Creek and was on pre-evac,” he said. “I was just frustrated with the fire, and when I’ve had that feeling in the past, trying to create something or write something is helpful. I definitely had a lot of emotional stuff to draw off of.”
Kosak said that along with a way for him to vent his feelings, “416” is also for the community.
“I just kind of pictured it being kind of a way to hopefully bring people in the community together around that feeling of frustration, but also the song ends on a positive note,” he said. “And it’s a thank you to the people who have been working to contain both of the fires.”
The community did pull together – for the fire and for the song, Wolf said, adding that as soon as the group had the song ready, she reached out to get a video made and the song recorded.
“Fred brought the song to rehearsal, and I think that night I went home and I emailed McCarson Jones with Red Scarf Photography and asked, ‘Could you video something for us?’ And she’s like, ‘Sure. Sunday night.’ And I called Jeff Jones and asked ‘Can you do an audio recording?” And he said, ‘Sure, Saturday.’ And neither one of them asked for money; they did it for free. And it was just a good example of friends and community coming together to create something we can give back.”
While the fire is still burning, Tinnin said the song is a way to lighten the mood.
“It’s a good thing for the community, a definite morale-booster, I hope,” Tinnin said. “We shot (the video) at Lions Den with a great view of Durango, and I think people can take pride in that. To us, in a place like Durango, it’s important to be involved in what you care about.”
katie@durangoherald.com
‘416’ by StillHouse Junkies
“Said it’s burning in the valley
It’s burning in the valley low
It’s burning in the valley and there ain’t no place to go
Ain’t no place
Ain’t no place
There ain’t no place to go
It’s gonna cross the river
It’s gonna cross the river wide
Said it’s gonna cross the river and there ain’t nowhere to hide
Ain’t nowhere
Ain’t nowhere
There ain’t nowhere to hide
Woah the Devil’s comin’ for us
The Devil’s coming for us all
The Devil’s comin’ for us and there ain’t no one to call
Ain’t no one
Ain’t no one
There ain’t no one to call
But they’re workin til the morning
Whoa they’re working til the morning light
Said they’re workin til the morning and we’re gonna make it through the night
Through the night
Through the night
Gonna make it through the night”
On the Net
To download a digital track of “416” by StillHouse Junkies, visit
. All track sales will benefit the Community Emergency Relief Fund.
For more information about StillHouse Junkies, visit
https://stillhousejunkies.com/
.
