Whether returning quickly to the city or scattered far and wide for months, or even years, after Hurricane Katrina and the federal levee failures, New Orleans musicians processed the devastating event the best way they could: They made music.<\/p>\n
Benefits to raise money for relief and recovery efforts emerged from locals \u2014 like the \u201cOur New Orleans\u201d<\/a> album with Allen Toussaint, Irma Thomas and Dr. John \u2014 and mainstream artists like Green Day, U2, Prince and Stevie Wonder. And steadily, New Orleans musicians released new music documenting their frustrations and anxieties after the floodwaters receded. Documentaries following acts like Fats Domino<\/a> and Rebirth Brass Band<\/a> also told the stories of New Orleans music bouncing back.<\/p>\n Twenty years on, there\u2019s a trove of songs documenting the ordeal, and while much of it was recorded in the immediate years after, there\u2019s still new music reflecting on the hurricane and its long-felt aftermath. The reality is New Orleans musicians have been making art in a city forever changed, and their songs, whether explicitly or subtly, reflect a post-Katrina world.<\/p>\n Below are 10 songs by New Orleans musicians, just a small sample, that reflect on the storm and life in its aftermath. You also can find a Spotify playlist with these songs and more below.<\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n