UPDATE: A musician whose home was devastated in the Palisades fires has just released a stirring new song and video, channeling his experience of loss into a powerful message of hope. On January 7, 2025, Kahn lost his home of over 20 years, and now he confronts that trauma head-on in his latest work, titled “After it Burns.”
The song is both raw and honest, capturing the emotional journey of grappling with catastrophic loss. Kahn’s heartfelt lyrics challenge the fire itself, expressing anger and resilience: “If I ever should see your face, I’ll tell you go back to hell.” Yet, the song ultimately shifts towards a promise of moving forward, emphasizing the importance of perseverance after devastation.
Kahn vividly recalls the moment he witnessed his white picket fence engulfed in flames, an image that felt surreal until it became a haunting reality. “I looked at my Dad and said, ‘it’s gone,’ and he just nodded. There wasn’t much to say,” he shared. The music video reinforces this sentiment, using evocative lighting and framing to convey the emotional weight of the experience without resorting to graphic imagery.
In an interview with Breitbart, Kahn expressed that his message resonates beyond his own loss, aiming to reach anyone who has faced significant hardship. “This is for the thousands of victims that experienced what I did, but maybe even more broadly than that,” he stated. He acknowledges the daily struggles faced by many due to disasters like hurricanes, illnesses, and deaths, reinforcing the universal nature of his message.
The aftermath of the fires has been a challenging road for Kahn and many other victims, filled with battles over insurance and a lack of support from local leadership. He criticized the slow response after the disaster, noting that while federal aid was effective, local leaders have been largely absent. “Great leaders make you feel safe, and I think you’d be hard-pressed to find a victim of these fires who felt like anybody had their back,” he said.
Despite the setbacks, Kahn has found a new beginning in Nashville, a city he had contemplated moving to for years. The fire, he admits, acted as a catalyst for his transition. “I think I was stuck in my life, and it’s hard to believe, but the fire may have been the push I needed to start a whole new chapter,” he explained.
Initially, Kahn struggled to create music after the tragedy, walking past his instruments without touching them. Eventually, he sat at a piano, and the song poured out, exemplifying his need to express his grief through creativity. “To be creative is really the only way I’ve known in my life to deal with hardship,” he said.
As Kahn continues to navigate the challenges of recovery, his music remains a beacon of hope not just for himself, but for countless others who have faced similar losses. The emotional depth of “After it Burns” resonates with anyone looking for solace amid adversity, making it a timely anthem for resilience.
With Kahn’s new release, the message is clear: even in the aftermath of destruction, there is a path toward healing and hope. The song stands as a testament to the power of art in the face of life’s most challenging moments.
