Billy Strings Reflects On Our Ecological Impact On Forthcoming Album Lead Single “Fire Line” [Watch]

Billy Strings has released the lead single “Fire Line” from his forthcoming album Renewal, due out on September 24th via Rounder Records. Along with the new single is an accompanied lyric video.

“Fire Line” hints at the superb musicianship portrayed in the forthcoming album. The introspective ballad begins with the gentle chords of John Mailander’s violin before Strings and Billy Failing join in with accompanying guitar and banjo. The mood of the song can be heard as Strings paints a reflective story through the lyrics while touring bandmates Royal Masat and Jarrod Walker chime in on bass and mandolin.

The lyrics “And when the work is done and the Devil’s called his time/You’ll feel a sterile breeze, that blows through ashen pine/It’s a poison dream, gets me running through the night, I’ll take it all, and then some more” match up with the ominously red and smokey video, illustrating the detrimental effects of the oil industry on our environments.

“Fire Line” – Billy Strings

[Video: Billy Strings]

Recorded in the midst of the pandemic at Nashville’s Sound Emporium alongside producer Jonathon Wilson (Roger Waters, Father John Misty), Renewal is a much-anticipated collection that touches on some darker themed imagery of the past year, highlighting Strings’ diverse musical influences well beyond bluegrass. While “Fire Line” was originally debuted earlier this year during his six-night Deja Vu Experiment streaming series, it’s apparent that the ongoing wildfire and oil crisis in the United States and around the world played a strong influence in the song’s theme.

“I called my last record Home, and then a few months later that’s where we all got stuck,” Strings says. “Right now, we’re heading back into opening back up, and doing some more touring with real concerts and real shows. Hopefully we can renew everything. I think it’s an interesting word. It reminds me of how every morning is a renewed day and another chance.”

Billy Strings embarks on his extensive 6-month Fall and Winter tour today with a sold-out show in Lafayette, NY’s Apple Valley Park, and will headline Salt Lake City, UT’s Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre on September 22nd. For a full list of upcoming shows, visit his website.

Stream “Fire Line” below or listen on your preferred streaming service here. You can pre-order Renewal here.