What could be more surprising: that Steven Spielberg just directing his first music video, or was it for Marcus Mumford? Nothing against Mumford, of course, but he wouldn’t have been the first artist that comes to mind for this particular career achievement.

The visionary director must have caught the music bug after the success of his latest film, West Side Story, because he came back for more with Mumford’s new single “Cannibal.” In truth, the concept doesn’t present much of a challenge for Spielberg – the entire video is just Mumford sitting on stage with his guitar. Considering the raw and personal nature of the lyrics, however, the simplicity of the visual seems fair.

Filming was a family affair, as Spielberg’s wife, Kate Capshaw, was credited as “producer, art director, and Dolly Grip”, while Mumford’s wife Carey Mulligan is credited as “Costumer and Sound”. Mumford shared a behind-the-scenes look at his instagram, writing: “On Sunday, July 3, in a New York high school gymnasium, Steven Spielberg made his first music video, in one shot, on his phone. Kate Capshaw was the all-powerful trolley handle.

He continued, “I’ve been overwhelmed with the support from people around me for bringing this music to you, and I can’t hope to express my gratitude. When people get it, it blows my mind. Kate and Steven come for having it, and I can’t thank them enough Thank you Kate Thank you Kristie [Macosko Krieger, producer]. Thanks Steve.”

“Cannibal” is the first title Mumford and Sons frontman shared his upcoming solo album, as well as the first track he wrote for the project: “In January 2021, in the face of demons I’ve danced with for a long time in isolation, I wrote a song titled ‘Cannibal,'” he explained when album announcement. “I took it to my friend Blake Mills, and we began the process of making this album, dear to my heart, titled (eponym).” The full album is out September 16.