Papillon de Nuit Unveil Cinematic New Single “The Pilgrim’s Arc”

Papillon de Nuit, the fluid and boundary-pushing project led by Stephen Kennedy, returns with their latest single The Pilgrim’s Arc, accompanied by a striking visual experience. Known for fusing gothic, classical, ambient, opera, spoken word, and symphonic textures, Kennedy’s work defies rules, blending the theatrical and the cinematic into immersive soundscapes. With contributions from Steve Whitfield, The Exceptional Mr Hyde, and a roster of talented collaborators, The Pilgrim’s Arc explores the journey from innocence to experience, capturing the chaos, emotion, and wonder of life’s passage in music and imagery.

1. “The Pilgrim’s Arc” has such a rich fusion of genres—from gothic and classical to spoken word and ambient. How do you approach blending these diverse influences without losing the emotional or thematic thread of the piece?

I was influenced by all these genres growing up, and I enjoy a diverse mix of music now, so it comes naturally to blend these differing sounds and styles into a whole. It's just a case of finding the right balance.

2. You’ve worked with an impressive roster of collaborators on this track, including Steve Whitfield and The Exceptional Mr Hyde. What was the collaborative process like in bringing their contributions into your vision for The Pilgrim’s Arc?

Steve and I work closely together and he's a first class producer. His ideas, suggestions, and work ethic help drive the song forwards. He describes the process as 'scooping a song' out of my head, and this is pretty accurate!I wanted a certain type of spoken word vocal for this song, and as a fan of The Exceptional Mr Hyde, the answer was there. A gnarly, somewhat sinister element was added to the song due to this contribution, and it has proved to be a valuable addition to the overall tone of the song.

3. There’s a strong narrative and cinematic quality to both the song and video. Can you tell us about the story or emotional journey behind The Pilgrim’s Arc—what does the “pilgrim” represent to you?

The song stems from a wish we perhaps all have, that we can bring forward the innocence and precious moments of our childhood, into adulthood. But the reality is so different, and the chaos that often waits for us as we leave our younger years, is represented in the song as a confusion of voices and sounds building in intensity towards the climax of the song.The pilgrim is you and I. We are all on this journey.

4. Your music often feels theatrical, almost like a sonic performance piece. How do visual elements, like the accompanying video, influence or complete your musical compositions?

I tend to visualise music. Even as a child, I would invent scenes in my head that seemed to match what I was listening to. I still do it now. Music is a very multi-dimensional creation - it affects the senses, fires the imagination, and powers the emotions. It needs to exist in almost unlimited space. Visuals are one aspect of this.

5. Papillon de Nuit has been described as having ‘no rules and no limits.’ Looking ahead, how do you see that philosophy evolving—are there new territories or collaborations you’d like to explore next?

There are so many ideas I want to fully explore - I'm sure some of them won't lead anywhere, but some of them certainly will. I want an ever evolving sound, and having guest musicians, and input from many artists and musicians, will allow this to happen. There will be an album next, and this will certainly reflect the band philosophy of no limits or rules.