Guess who’s poking his head out after a looong winter snooze? That’s right, Morning Bear is back and roaring louder than ever! After what seemed like an extended 'winter hibernation' (of a whopping 6 years!) - our favorite Bear is stretching out those musical muscles, shaking off the dust, and dropping a brand new single, “Splitting of the Wood.”
Ah, but this isn’t your typical, "I took a break, had a latte, now I'm back" kind of story. No, siree. This tale is woven from threads of heartache, tragedy, personal loss, and a global pandemic that had even the most spirited of us reaching for the comfort blanket.
John Runnels, the man behind the bear mask, faced a trifecta of sorrow: losing three dear friends to separate tragedies, battling a severe injury, and navigating a world in chaos. Frankly, we wouldn't have blamed him if he decided to snooze a little longer.
But Morning Bear's spirit is indomitable. John took his time, healed, and came out the other side with not one, not two, but three electrifying new singles on the horizon, each crafted with a different maestro from the Colorado music scene.
The first of these, “Splitting of the Wood,” recorded in the evergreen setting of Evergreen, Colorado with Producer Mark Anderson, promises a bit of a plot twist. Gone is the purely acoustic vibe we once knew. Enter a dreamlike fusion of reverbs, synthesizers, and digital kick drums. It’s like Morning Bear had a digital spa day, but still came back home with that signature guitar and vocals we love so dearly.
Lyrically, the song isn't just about chopping logs (though that would be intriguing). It dives deep into the human psyche, touching upon our inner battles with doubt, fear, and those darned moments when it feels like we're pushing against a brick wall with a toothpick. It's about standing tall, even when you can't see the sun for the clouds.
Mark your calendar - because on Friday, September 8, 2023, “Splitting of the Wood” will drop on all platforms, ready to grace your playlists. And just as a cherry on top, the art's crafted by the talented Joe Murray of Auberon Design.
So, Denver's finest, John Runnels, aka Morning Bear, is back in the game. And from the looks of it, he's here to stay.
