Mike McKenna Jr. Releases Poetic New Video for “Grassfire,” Filmed on Cape Breton Island
Singer-songwriter Mike McKenna Jr. has unveiled the official video for “Grassfire,” the haunting and heartfelt single off his economy full-length album Smokey Mountain Excessive (launched November 1, 2024). Directed by Halifax-based filmmaker Brendan “Moose” Lyle (aka @moosecanfly), the video is a visible love letter to Cape Breton Island, the place each the artist and the story behind “Grassfire” had been born.
Co-written with Nova Scotia-born, Nashville-based songwriter Makayla Lynn Parry, Grassfire displays on the emotional embers of a fading relationship. Its sonic panorama—produced by Quinn Bachand (Brishen, Diamond Day)—is grounded by Mike’s signature storytelling, wrapped in a folk-Americana palette with contributions from Beatrix Méthé (Rosier, Diamond Day) on backing vocals and Clayton Linthicum (Kacy & Clayton, The Deep Darkish Woods) on pedal metal. The video was filmed deep within the forests of the Mira River area, the identical place the place McKenna Jr. grew up—and the place Grassfire was initially written in 2020 through the pandemic.
“Cape Breton is the bodily and emotional setting of this report,” says McKenna. “Flying again from Montreal to shoot it right here made full sense.”
On the coronary heart of the video is McKenna’s beloved ‘85 Dodge Okanagan camper van, a DIY pandemic challenge that turned a cell writing retreat and artistic sanctuary throughout lockdown. With scenes of crackling campfires, quiet forest walks, and introspective solitude, the visuals echo the recurring themes of Smokey Mountain Excessive: isolation, reflection, and reconnecting with one’s roots in nature.
“Grassfire” stands out as one of many album’s most emotionally resonant tracks, and its new video affords a deeper glimpse into the world McKenna has constructed—the place previous and current meet below the ever-changing Cape Breton skies.
Quote From Editor
““Grassfire” hits exhausting with its trustworthy tackle a love that burned quick and pale fast. The lyrics are uncooked and relatable, and the stripped-back sound lets the emotion take middle stage.”
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