Folk/Review Joseph Kuhl - Helene

Joseph Kuhl is an independent musician and a survivor of Hurricane Helene, September 2024. During the 12-day power outage that followed, he found himself trapped in the dark—trees blocking his doors and covering his roof—waiting for friends to come help. With nothing but his dobro in hand, he turned to music to process the experience.

Joseph Kuhl pays eerie and profoundly poignant homage to fortitude in the face of calamity with “Helene.” The song is a masterwork of poetic storytelling, a craft Kuhl has evidently honed over decades of composition, and has its roots in the rich traditions of Southern Gothic and delta blues. This blues elegy, encased in grit and grace, is more than simply a song; it's a living memory.

The stories of his characters—those who suffered during the flood, the loneliness, and the gradual, agonizing reconstruction—are conveyed through Kuhl's gritty, emotionally charged language. In addition to being emotive, his speech is lived-in, giving the impression that he is testifying rather than telling. Anchored by swampy guitar lines and a rhythm that plods like wet footsteps through muck, the melody progresses with the seriousness of the subject matter.

“Helene” humanizes disaster rather than dramatizing it. It depicts the destruction as well as the silent fortitude needed to continue. This is true, but empathy is more significant. Kuhl gives dignity to individuals who are frequently neglected in the aftermath, but he does not provide simple hope.

The song serves as a balm and a memorial. “Helene” might provide solace to people who have experienced storms, either literal or emotional. For others, it serves as a potent reminder of how music can link us to narratives that are not our own but have a significant impact on the world.

Joseph Kuhl solidifies his position as a keeper of an enduring American custom, one that is based on soul, survival, and storytelling, with “Helene.”