In a brand new collection following the devastating L.A. wildfires of January 2025, Billboard is chatting with impacted members of the music business about their lives within the wake of the catastrophe. Affected music professionals who want to participate within the collection can e-mail us at afterthefire@billboard.com.
This installment is with Iyana, an R&B singer, songwriter and instrumentalist who misplaced her Altadena residence within the Eaton Fireplace.
I used to be on the recording studio when it occurred. The ability went out and [my neighbor] texted and invited me to over to hold with him and his girl and their canine.
I wasn’t at house, so I stated thanks and handed, and that was it for just a few hours. I used to be doing my factor, hanging out with associates making music in Studio Metropolis, which is fairly removed from my home. My neighbor checked on me once more just a few hours later and stated “Don’t come again. We’re getting evacuated.” However I had my two cats at house, so I had to return.
I texted one other buddy and instructed him we had been getting evacuated and that I used to be having loads of nervousness due to the cats at house. I don’t have a automotive, so he requested if I wanted him to come back choose me up so we may go rescue the cats. I instructed him I’d love that. He drove all the way in which from downtown to Studio Metropolis to select me up, then to Altadena.
This was hours after the evacuation discover had gone out, and the facility was nonetheless off once I got here house. It was pitch black and I needed to wrangle my two cats. I used to be utilizing my iPhone flashlight to see, and my mind was simply mush. I didn’t actually know find out how to course of all the things that was occurring. I grabbed my laptop computer and a pair chargers, just a little bit of money that I had stashed away and that was about it. I used to be there for about 10 minutes.
I may see the fireplace from my window, nevertheless it regarded far sufficient away that if they might get it beneath management, my place could be advantageous. I truthfully didn’t assume my place was going to burn down, so in my head I simply saved telling myself it was going to be okay and that I’d be capable to come again tomorrow. It was a loopy feeling to get a message from the property managers the following day telling me that the buildings had been destroyed, realizing that I didn’t actually get something out of [my apartment.]
My mother handed away once I was youthful, and I had loads of her art work and all of the issues I had left from her. Pictures from my childhood, memorabilia from once I was a child, issues I assumed I’d share with my future kids sooner or later. There have been journals that I needed to maintain for my total life to look again and see the place I used to be at sure instances. It’s all gone.
It’s been lots to course of. I really feel like I’m doing fairly effectively accepting that it’s what it’s. I’m making an attempt my greatest to apply non-attachment. It is a actually large lesson in non-attachment. It’s sort of loopy to not have something, however’s just a little bit liberating in some methods too, I suppose. I’m making an attempt to see it from that perspective.
My buddy who got here with me to seize the cats can also be a producer, so within the instant aftermath I went with him to the recording studio and spent two nights there. It wasn’t probably the most comfy scenario, however I used to be capable of have my cats there, which was very nice. It was a secure place for me to be for a few days.
A buddy of mine referred to as the following day and requested what I wanted. It was similar to, “I don’t know what I want. I’m having so many feelings that I can hardly assume.” She requested, “Do you want underwear? Do you want toothpaste?” I used to be like, “Oh my gosh, sure. I truly do want underwear.” These had been issues that I wasn’t interested by proper after it occurred, as a result of I used to be truthfully nonetheless in a state of shock. I wanted different individuals to make use of their mind for me.
I additionally had a buddy who instructed me I ought to begin a GoFundMe. It’s been useful. I’m nonetheless undecided about insurance coverage, as a result of the insurance coverage firm has been wishy-washy and making an attempt to play video games with us a bit. Even the FEMA factor, [they said] the Nationwide Guard was blocking my space for thus lengthy that FEMA wasn’t capable of get proof or one thing. Lots of people have donated stuff to me. I obtained some garments and the issues I want for hygiene and whatnot. I’m just about residing out of two suitcases and a duffel bag. I’ve a buddy who’s in India for the month, and he or she’s letting me keep in her place whereas she’s gone. One other buddy took my cats and he or she’s prepared to [house them] so long as I want her to.
I’ve had a pair studio classes because it occurred, and it’s been actually useful for me to be within the studio and create, simply because all the things’s so loopy. It offers me a way of normalcy or simply permits me to have a second of remedy.
I had an entire launch schedule earlier than this occurred, an entire plan of what I used to be going to be doing for quarter one, two and three and the singles and tasks I used to be going to launch. I really like writing love songs, nevertheless it feels bizarre too, as a result of my home simply burned down, after which I’m going to drop a love tune? It simply didn’t really feel proper, so it felt good to put in writing a tune in regards to the scenario. I feel that can in all probability be the following tune I share with the world.
It’s loopy too, as a result of I’d launched a tune the day earlier than the fireplace. I used to be additionally planning on this month being a advertising and marketing and promotion month for me, however I haven’t actually been capable of do any promo. It simply doesn’t really feel proper to be like, “Hey guys, hearken to my new tune” whereas that is all occurring. As an alternative, it’s been a whirlwind of making an attempt to readjust and determine how I’m going again to having a traditional life… I usually work at a restaurant, however fortunately the donations I’ve gotten are maintaining me afloat for now, as a result of to be trustworthy, the thought of smiling in individuals’s faces and asking them what they wish to eat for dinner simply doesn’t really feel like mentally the place I’m at proper now.
I really feel like I’ve seen this narrative on the web, from individuals who aren’t from right here and assume this solely occurred to wealthy individuals and celebrities, which is foolish… If individuals have the capability to donate monetarily, that’s useful for me proper now, simply by way of rebuilding.
If individuals don’t have that capability, I’d love for individuals to faucet into my music and see what I’m doing. It’s onerous for me to think about going again to an everyday life after this. Theoretically, it’d be so good if my music moved and did some numbers. It’s undoubtedly my dream to have the ability to become profitable and begin a life with music being the inspiration, so having individuals assist me on my journey and see my progress could be greater than I may ask for. If persons are prepared to hearken to my tunes and share them, that might heat my coronary heart.
