Kevin Bronson on July 4th, 2023

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Garrison Starr first released “Fireworks” in 2007. Now, just in time for tonight’s aerial pyrotechnics, there’s a re-imagination of the song featuring the L.A. duo of Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale, aka the Milk Carton Kids.

The collaboration gives its affecting broken-heartedness a little extra twinkle.

“‘Fireworks’ has always been one of my favorite Garrison Starr songs,” Ryan says. “There’s nothing like being lonely during a national celebration. Garrison and I were roommates a decade ago when I was starting out in L.A. She’d be singing in the living room or just walking around the house and I’d say to myself in disbelief, ‘I live with one of our generation’s great voices.’ Kenneth complements her so well on guitar, and we wrote a big three-part harmony arrangement for the bridge. I was just honored she wanted to record this song together all these years later.”

Starr, who’s been doing a residency at the Hotel Café Second Stage (Aug. 31 and Oct. 26 dates remain), has released three singles this year as part of her duo with Sean McConnell, My Sister, My Brother. The second EP from the project comes out Sept. 26.

The Milk Carton Kids recently released their new album, “I Only See the Moon,” and will play the second day of the Los Angeles Folk Festival, Oct. 8 at the Ford, along with Waxahatchee.

||| Stream: “Fireworks” (2023 version)