MICHAEL PETER OLSEN // PRONOIA (VIDEO)

Toronto songwriter, composer and producer MICHAEL PETER OLSEN has returned with his first new solo single since 2021, “Pronoia” out via Hand Drawn Dracula, sharing a video from director Shawn Chiki. Watch + share via YouTube. Stream HERE or purchase via BANDCAMP.

The video from Shawk Chiki, is an evocative and captivating story following the emotional journey of two gender-neutral characters as they navigate love, self-doubt, and the struggle to accept good fortune. The 8-bit pixel art animation and Olsen’s altered electric cello melodies, arpeggios and fragmented sounds, breathe life into a unique story of two lovers with a nostalgic vintage video game inspired touch. In paying homage to the title “Pronoia,” the music video serves as a powerful exploration of the paradoxical mistrust of things going right and the struggle to accept love and success.

Michael Peter Olsen is a cellist, film composer, producer and GRAMMY nominated songwriter known for his work with Drake, Arcade Fire, Ed Sheeran, The Hidden Cameras, Haim, Sharon Van Etten, and many others. He is also a full time touring and recording member of Zoon. Michael is also a newly emerging solo artist with his eponymous electric cello project, an immersive ambient sound layered with melodic hooks in a style he calls “Post-Cello”. The new project, started in 2020, has toured Europe and Canada, releasing several singles and a full length LP, Yearning Flow – a Bandcamp ‘Release of the Month’ (January 2021), garnering praise from CBC Music, Exclaim!, American Songwriter, amongst others.