The Burnt Pines might be collaboration from across the Atlantic Ocean, but you wouldn’t know it from the intimacy of “What Did You Come Back For?” With three band members dispersed between Boston and Lisbon, the trio craft intricate folk arrangements and strong pop melodies. With Danish filmmaker Kris Skovmand on the mic, Aaron Flanders on guitar and banjo, and Miguel Sá Pessoa on keys and arrangements, The Burnt Pines have hit the sweet spot of affecting and artistic music.
The Burnt Pines released their sophomore album, Don’t Look Down in February, but their music video for “What Did You Come Back For?” premieres here on Adobe & Teardrops. The song chronicles Skovnard’s divorce with a compelling hook, painterly lyrics, and the singer’s vulnerable performance.
“The ambiguity in this song is what I like about it,” Skovnard tells Adobe & Teardrops. “After my divorce I wanted to find myself again, but I also felt connected to a 10-year relationship. Whether it would work out or not didn’t seem up to me, it seemed like it was up to something outside of me. Something magical and chaotic was happening. The vulnerability in the song comes from seeking answers to something and just not finding them and having to be OK with that.”
The video portrays Skovnard buries in a thicket of plants and mystical imagery.
“I’ve always been fascinated by magic, tarot cards, the esoteric, divination. All of this stuff is just really fun in my mind. Making music can sometimes feel like magic too. It’s not always clear where the text or melodies are coming from, and it surprises you! With this video I wanted to be the ‘garden witch’ from the first line of the song and have fun with some of the vibe and energy those images conjure.”
Don’t Like Down is available on all platforms.