Marie Davidson & L'Œil Nu releases Persona, a shoegaze single inspired by analytical psychology

Nearly a year after the release of their striking album Renegade Breakdown, Marie Davidson & L'Œil Nu now unveil their new single Persona via Bonsound and Ninja Tune. Inspired by Carl Jung's concept of the "Persona", the band offers three versions of the same song sung entirely in French: a shoegaze, fully guitar-oriented version, an electronic version with trip-hop undertones (Persona BB) and an interlude version that can be played on a loop to escape.

The music video for Persona also echoes Carl Jung’s concept that gives the song its name. Playing with the idea of a counterpoint to the archetype of the persona (the mask we wear to make a definitive impression on others and hide the true nature of the individual), the Montreal band wanted to present a video that is true to who they are. We didn’t want a sophisticated and expensive HD music video depicting us as glamorous artists evolving with nonchalance in a highly controlled environment, explains Marie Davidson & L’Œil Nu. But rather we wanted to offer a simple and honest document, shot ourselves with our phones, showing us as individuals, friends, musicians, in our daily lives, à l’envers du décor.

Initially formed by Marie Davidson, Pierre Guerineau and Asaël R. Robitaille, the group has evolved from a trio to a four-piece with the official addition of multidisciplinary artist, composer and producer Jesse Osborne-Lanthier on percussion, synths and electronics. A long-time friend and collaborator of the band, Jesse has previously co-produced and performed additional vocals and sound design on the album Renegade Breakdown.

This fall, the band will perform in Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto before heading to Europe for a tour that includes dates in Zurich, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, London, Reykjavik and Berlin, to name a few. Check out the list below for all the show dates, and visit marie-davidson.com to purchase tickets.