BLK ODYSSY Caught in Ida’s Severe New Jersey Flooding: Austin band launch fundraiser for lost instruments and gear – Music

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Austin act BLK ODYSSY, who was in the northeast for a release show to celebrate their new album BLK VINTAGE, encountered the horrific flash floods of Hurricane Ida last night.

BLK ODYSSY’s white van flooded in Newark, New Jersey. (Courtesy BLK ODYSSY)

After leaving a rehearsal room in Newark, New Jersey, the group’s van began to fill with water. Since then, they’ve launched a GoFundMe to cover lost equipment, which includes almost all of the instruments, electronics, and clothing cases in the group of five. “Help BLK ODYSSY Recover From The New Jersey Flood Crisis” is working towards a target of $ 15,000.

“We left a rehearsal and wanted something to eat – we hadn’t eaten all day since we got off the plane – and then went to the hotel,” said bandleader / songwriter Sam Houston this afternoon.

“One wrong turn and within 15 seconds the water filled the van up to our knees. It was raining so hard that the water rose quickly and we panicked. When we got out, it was up to our stomachs to get close to our chests. The water was probably over the hood of the car a minute after we got out of the car. “

The group sought shelter in a nearby apartment building and eventually had to move upstairs to avoid flooding the first floor. They got stuck in the hallway for about four hours before leaving safely. The van, a rental car, was almost empty this morning when the band came back to check it out.

“The last death toll here in New Jersey is 17, and it’s an immense blessing that we weren’t there,” Houston said. “Nobody was hurt, so we’re just happy about it. The damage can be compensated. The car and all the equipment were lost, but we’re still here. “

From his Newark hotel room, BLK ODYSSY plans to dry clothes, rent equipment, and move forward with their BLK VINTAGE release show tonight at the Brooklyn venue Elsewhere. Chronicle writer Thomas Fawcett recently praised the August album in a cover story, calling it “the best local debut this side of the Black Pumas”.

“This is such an important show to us that we are scraping everything together to move on,” said Houston. “We have a new car and we’re going to Brooklyn soon to see how we’re going to play.”

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