Linemen

Zoe & Cloyd’s new song, “Linemen,” describes their personal experience during Hurricane Helene, which ravaged their community in Western North Carolina.

May 2, 2025 – When the forecast for Hurricane Helene came through the Southern Appalachian mountains, nobody had any idea of the catastrophic potential of the storm. With close to 30 inches of rain funneling down steep mountainsides and filling riverbeds, roads, homes, people and memories were swept away within mere hours. The tragedy was heartbreaking, and for many people in the region, their lives will never be the same. For Natalya Zoe Weinstein and John Cloyd Miller, who live just south of Asheville in Fairview, North Carolina, the experience was scary and real. They were trapped in their neighborhood by dozens of downed trees on their dirt road, and the main bridge to 15 homes was washed away by the raging waters of Cane Creek, normally a knee-high, peaceful waterway. They were able to finally exit their neighborhood via a back dirt road after four days, and spent almost four weeks living with family in Hickory, NC, until they could get basic services restored at their home.

As Natalya Zoe shared in her own words, “Linemen was born during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, inspired by words written by our neighbor and friend, Doug Norton. Our neighborhood was without power, water, cell service, or even road access after our bridge was washed away in the storm. The song carries an air of desperation and uncertainty, which we were all experiencing after Helene, and the song has received a strong response when we perform it live. Singing it feels both cathartic and sometimes triggering, but it has helped us to heal after such a tragic experience.”

From the start of the track, the raw emotion is tangible and gripping. With John Cloyd Miller’s emotive vocals painting a picture of the experience, and Natalya Zoe Weinstein’s plaintive harmonies, the duo expresses their anxiety about what the future will hold after the storm. Ben Krakauer lends an elegant banjo line throughout, coloring the track, and Kevin Kehrberg’s powerful bassline adds a strong foundation. The song is sure to leave the listener hanging, wondering how the story continues.

Song Credits:
Written by Doug Norton, John Cloyd Miller, Natalya Zoe Weinstein, Kiowatica Music, ASCAP