Zola Jesus returns with a visually striking new video for fan-favourite track ‘Nail’ taken from the critically acclaimed album TAIGA, out now on Mute.

Director and producer Jacqueline Castel explains her fetishistic inspiration, “The video for ‘Nail’ conceptually explores the dualistic themes of vulnerability and strength, bondage and freedom, death and rebirth in parallel to the lyrical content of the song. Performing within a custom made sensory deprivation bed built by S&M pioneers Kink Engineering, Nika was sealed between sheets of opaque black latex with a high powered shop vac for each take – a physically aggressive and demanding form of restraint that requires breathing through rubber tubing constructed within the bed. Stripped of the superfluities of the flesh, her performance reveals the surreality of the dehumanized form.”

Nika comments, “I am extremely grateful to have joined up once again with my good friend Jacqueline Castel for the ‘Nail’ video. We have almost telepathic creative instincts, and together we are like one big arm – pushing to the point of break.”

Jacqueline Castel also directed many of Zola Jesus’ previous videos including, ‘Night’, ‘Sea Talk’, ‘Clay Bodies’, ‘Seekir’ and ‘Vessel’. Costume design for the video comes once again from longtime collaborator Jenni Hensler.

Zola Jesus will release ‘Nail’ as a digital EP featuring previously unreleased track ‘Circles’ and Xanopticon’s remix of ‘Go (Blank Sea)’ on 18 September, 2015.

Zola Jesus returns to Europe in autumn for a tour that includes Islington Assembly Hall in London on 7 November.

LIVE DATES
24 Sep – Madison, WI – Wisconsin Union Theatre – Shannon Hall
25 Sep – Urbana, IL – Pygmallion Festival
26 Sep – Cincinnati, OH – Midpoint Festival
1 Nov – Porto, PORTUGAL – Maus Hábitos
3 Nov – Lisbon, PORTUGAL – Music Box
5 Nov – Athens, GREECE – Fuzz
6 Nov – Istanbul, TURKEY – ISKV Cultural Center
7 Nov – London, UK – Islington Assembly Hall – Illuminations Festival