Auckland-based, rising dark-pop star Michèle Ducray has released her brilliant new music video for single ‘The Night’ featuring LA rapper Kevin Posey.
Created by celebrated director Shae Sterling (Stan Walker, Teeks, Maisey Rika, L.A.B), the video is about trying to escape intense sleep paralysis. "It's a mind-altering state of consciousness that can be quite scary," explains Michèle.
"The making of the video required a lot of effort and one very long day! I spent all day with an amazing crew who helped make three different looks happen across two different settings. The rapper on the track, Kevin, also recorded his part in Los Angeles, so a lot of work went into this one. We even have a moment where we sussed these black elastic-like bands that I had to fight off semi-hanging from them and pulling on them - only to be thrown back into a bed with a hole in the centre. Luckily, I didn't break it! You can see all these crazy little stunts in the video."
'The Night' is a melancholic, mysterious and reflective dark-pop song, about turning toward an expansive experience when you’re having your lowest point. Recorded, mixed and mastered by Sydney-based producer Liam Quinn, the song came to Michèle while driving down a highway looking into the vast night sky. “It captured me how strangely alluring it was. Dotted with iridescent stars. I started singing the verse melody, and then the chorus. Liam and I weren't really vibing the original bridge, so that’s when I suggested contacting Los Angeles rapper Kevin Posey, who came up with the amazing rap that’s part of the bridge.”
Following on from singles ‘Midnight’ (2021) and ‘Manifesto’ (2022), ‘The Night’ is still in keeping with Michèle’s penchant for creating spellbinding, dark and edgy pop that takes its inspiration from fantasy intertwined with the mystical. “I based a lot of the feeling of the song on "In the Dark of the Night" by Rasputin from the movie Anastasia and I love telling stories and enticing people to really think about the lyricism behind it. All my songs have meaning and I love conveying that through my lyrics, effects and production.”
Raised in South Africa, China and Aotearoa New Zealand, Michèle discovered her affinity for music when she was just a child. Now based in Auckland, over the course of her young music career she’s worked with some of the biggest names in the business, is touted as ‘one to watch’ and will be performing live at Bay Dreams and ZM’s Electric Avenue 2023. She also has an EP in the works - so make sure you don’t miss a beat by following Michèle Ducray!