Mike McCready, the renowned guitarist from Pearl Jam, has unveiled his latest single “Farewell to Seasons,” which serves as the title track for his upcoming “lost” rock opera. The single dropped on Friday, September 29, and it will be part of a larger project set for release on December 1.
Inside the Project
“Farewell to Seasons” is the first track released from McCready’s project of the same name. The work features 11 new songs that were written and recorded by the fictional character “David Williams,” who takes center stage in an accompanying graphic novel. This graphic novel will be published by Z2 Comics. Alongside the single, an animated music video directed by Cyrus Entezam was also premiered, bringing a visual element to McCready’s evocative storytelling.
A Glimpse into Seattle’s Musical History
Developed over two decades, McCready’s rock opera aims to capture the essence of Seattle’s vibrant music scene during the late 1980s, which set the stage for the explosive grunge movement of the 1990s. The project reflects on the experiences of various artists during this transformative period. As described in a press release, “Farewell to Seasons unflinchingly shows the brutal cost it had for so many artists and musicians as it captures the lived experience of that seminal era.” The narrative grapples with the glory and heartbreak of the Seattle scene, probing the profound question: was it worth it?
Creator Insights
In a prior statement, McCready expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “It’s a story I’ve been developing for many years, inspired by the creativity, community, and chaos of the Seattle music scene. I’ve had a great time bringing this project to life with Z2, and I hope people enjoy the journey as much as I did creating it.”
Rantz A. Hoseley, Editor in Chief at Z2 Comics, shared his perspective on the project, reflecting on his experiences in the Northwest music scene as a journalist in the 1990s. He noted, “Having been in the heart of the [Northwest] music scene as a journalist in the 1990s, I’ve wanted for years to work on a project that would reflect what it was actually like for the musicians and the fans when ‘the world came to Seattle.’ I can say, without any hyperbole or exaggeration, that I feel like my entire creative life has led to me being involved with this book, and I feel so blessed to be a part of bringing Mike’s beautiful and poignant story to the world.”
