Today composer and Grammy-nominated songwriter, MICHAEL PETER OLSEN released “Terms Of Desertion,” the second single from his upcoming album Narrative Of A Nervous System. The song is a masterful exploration of the complex emotions surrounding the end of a relationship. Using only electric cello sounds, Olsen creates a soundscape that is both cheerful and melancholic, with swelling chords and bittersweet melodies that perfectly capture the vacillating feelings of reminiscence and loss. The song comes with a dreamy visualizer of collaged footage made by Olsen himself.

Narrative Of A Nervous System, out October 27th, 2023 via Hand Drawn Dracula, is the follow-up to Michael Peter Olsen’s electric cello-based full-length Yearning Flow, described as “evocative, experimental, and emotional” by American Songwriter. On his upcoming album, Olsen continues to stretch the limits of the electric cello, subverting expectations of what the instrument can be. The new album features guest perfromnces by Owen Pallett, Màiri Chaimbeul, alaska B, and Zoon, and is pressed on a limited deluxe edition 180g blood red in clear vinyl with satin finish gatefold jacket.

ALBUM: PRE-SAVE // PRE-ORDER

TOUR DATES
9/08 Bergen, Norway – BergenKjott
9/09 Knarvik, Norway – Nattkafe i Knarvik
9/10-17 Stockholm, Sweden – EMS Residency
9/12 Stockholm, Sweden – Larry’s Corner *
9/21 Ry, Denmark – Gnisten *
9/22 Copenhagen, Denmark – Thorvaldsends Museum *
9/24 Aarhus, Denmark – Turkis *
9/29 Montreal, CA – POP Montreal / La Sottorenea
* w/ Troels Abrahamsen

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.

MICHAEL PETER OLSEN‘s debut album, Yearning Flow, is set to arrive January 15, 2021 via Hand Drawn Dracula // PRE-SAVE / PRE-ORDER VINYL.

Having already released two singles in 2020, Olsen today follows with “Cloud Parade,” the first featured on Yearning Flow. The track is accompanied by a video featuring choreography from Mateo Gallindo-Torres and directed by Adrienne McLaren. It was named an Official Selection at this year’s Toronto International Short Film Festival in September.

Showcasing electric cello, in ambient, avant-garde influenced compositions, Olsen’s music transports the listener through a sound world of electronically altered and acoustic performance: what Olsen calls Post-Cello. For Yearning Flow, Olsen welcomed award winning film composer Todor Kobakov, experimental dance music artist Strange Robotix, bassist Brandon Lim (Yamataka Sonic Titan, HSY), and singer-songwriter Merival to collaborate on the project.

Michael Peter Olsen is a classically trained musician originally from British Columbia, Canada and a longtime resident of Toronto. A GRAMMY-nominated songwriter, Olsen has spent the past 25 years lending his talents to works by The Hidden Cameras, Drake, Arcade Fire, Haim, Owen Pallet, and Tiesto, while joining artists live on stage, such as Holy Fuck, Zaki Ibrahim, Great Lake Swimmers, The Constantines, Kevin Hearn, Rheostatics, The Blow, Sarah Slean and Mocky.