Hercules and Love Affair
Encyclopedia
Hercules and Love Affair is a musical project from New York
based DJ Andy Butler. Members include Andrew Butler, Kim Ann Foxman, Mark Pistel,
Aerea Negrot, and Shaun Wright. It is signed to DFA Records
.
The single "Blind" featuring guest Antony Hegarty
(lead vocalist in Antony & The Johnsons) was released on 3 March 2008, and the debut album (produced by Butler and Tim Goldsworthy
) was released on 10 March. Their self-titled album has been critically well-received and charted in the top 40 in several countries. The touring group in 2008 featured guest vocalist Nomi Ruiz
.
, in order to attend Sarah Lawrence College
. According to Butler: "I’ve been writing songs since childhood. I made music for dance performances in college (where he studied under Martin Goldray), like a remake of Gino Soccio
’s ‘Runaway’ done in the style of Kraftwerk
."
The band made their live debut on May 17, 2008, at the Studio B venue in Brooklyn
, New York
, before going on a European and North American tour.
The first single "Blind
", co-written by and featuring guest Antony Hegarty
(lead vocalist in Antony & The Johnsons), was awarded Best Song of 2008 by Pitchfork Media and came in at sixth place in Resident Advisor
's Top 30 tracks of that year. The follow-up "You Belong
" featured the New York-based vocalist and musician Nomi Ruiz
.
In early interviews, Butler stated his intent to release music with a rotating cast of performers and musicians.
The band was captured at London's Lovebox festival by VOGUE TV discussing their sartorial choices.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
based DJ Andy Butler. Members include Andrew Butler, Kim Ann Foxman, Mark Pistel,
Aerea Negrot, and Shaun Wright. It is signed to DFA Records
DFA Records
DFA Records is an independent record label and production team, launched in September 2001 by Mo' Wax co-founder Tim Goldsworthy, musician James Murphy, and manager Jonathan Galkin. The label has an exclusive distribution deal with major record label EMI....
.
The single "Blind" featuring guest Antony Hegarty
Antony Hegarty
Antony Hegarty is an English singer-songwriter, best known as the lead singer of the band Antony and the Johnsons.-Early life:...
(lead vocalist in Antony & The Johnsons) was released on 3 March 2008, and the debut album (produced by Butler and Tim Goldsworthy
Tim Goldsworthy
Tim Goldsworthy is a British record producer, DJ and recording artist, living and working in New York City since 1999.Originally a musician/producer for UNKLE, Goldsworthy co-founded James Lavelle's Mo' Wax label...
) was released on 10 March. Their self-titled album has been critically well-received and charted in the top 40 in several countries. The touring group in 2008 featured guest vocalist Nomi Ruiz
Nomi Ruiz
Nomi Ruiz is an American Nu-disco and Hip hop singer from New York City who is most famous for being among the cast of vocalists that contributed to Hercules and Love Affair's debut album. Ruiz has also collaborated with dance music trio The Ones...
.
Biography
The band's central figure, Andrew Butler, began his musical career at 15, DJing in a Denver leather bar run by a hostess called Chocolate Thunder Pussy. He then moved to New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, in order to attend Sarah Lawrence College
Sarah Lawrence College
Sarah Lawrence College is a private liberal arts college in the United States, and a leader in progressive education since its founding in 1926. Located just 30 minutes north of Midtown Manhattan in southern Westchester County, New York, in the city of Yonkers, this coeducational college offers...
. According to Butler: "I’ve been writing songs since childhood. I made music for dance performances in college (where he studied under Martin Goldray), like a remake of Gino Soccio
Gino Soccio
Gino Soccio is a Canadian disco record producer. His heritage is Italian. His only US Billboard Hot 100 entry was the #48 hit single "Dancer" in 1979, but he did hit #1 on the US Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart twice...
’s ‘Runaway’ done in the style of Kraftwerk
Kraftwerk
Kraftwerk is an influential electronic music band from Düsseldorf, Germany. The group was formed by Ralf Hütter and Florian Schneider in 1970, and was fronted by them until Schneider's departure in 2008...
."
The band made their live debut on May 17, 2008, at the Studio B venue in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, before going on a European and North American tour.
The first single "Blind
Blind (Hercules and Love Affair song)
-Writing and inspiration:"Blind" was written by Antony Hegarty and Andrew Butler. The song began as a poem by Butler before it was recorded by Hegarty.-Critical reception:...
", co-written by and featuring guest Antony Hegarty
Antony Hegarty
Antony Hegarty is an English singer-songwriter, best known as the lead singer of the band Antony and the Johnsons.-Early life:...
(lead vocalist in Antony & The Johnsons), was awarded Best Song of 2008 by Pitchfork Media and came in at sixth place in Resident Advisor
Resident Advisor
Resident Advisor is an online electronic music magazine dedicated to the global dance music scene. The website won a People's Voice award in the 12th Annual Webby Awards in 2008.-Site History:...
's Top 30 tracks of that year. The follow-up "You Belong
You Belong
"You Belong" is the second single from the eponymous debut album by Hercules and Love Affair. It features Nomi Ruiz with backing vocals by Antony Hegarty.-Critical reception:...
" featured the New York-based vocalist and musician Nomi Ruiz
Nomi Ruiz
Nomi Ruiz is an American Nu-disco and Hip hop singer from New York City who is most famous for being among the cast of vocalists that contributed to Hercules and Love Affair's debut album. Ruiz has also collaborated with dance music trio The Ones...
.
In early interviews, Butler stated his intent to release music with a rotating cast of performers and musicians.
The band was captured at London's Lovebox festival by VOGUE TV discussing their sartorial choices.
Albums
- Hercules and Love AffairHercules and Love Affair (album)Hercules and Love Affair is the debut album by American house group Hercules and Love Affair. The album, which was released by DFA Records in the United Kingdom on March 10, 2008 and a day later in North America, was produced by Andy Butler and Tim Goldsworthy. The album was recorded at the...
(10 March 2008, DFA RecordsDFA RecordsDFA Records is an independent record label and production team, launched in September 2001 by Mo' Wax co-founder Tim Goldsworthy, musician James Murphy, and manager Jonathan Galkin. The label has an exclusive distribution deal with major record label EMI....
) Billboard 200Billboard 200The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
#191, UK Albums ChartUK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
#31 - Blue SongsBlue Songs (Hercules & Love Affair album)Blues Songs is the second studio album by American house music group Hercules and Love Affair. It was released January 31, 2011 in the UK. and was released August 16, 2011 in United States...
(31 January 2011, Moshi Moshi)
Singles
- "Classique #2"/"Roar" (3 September 2007, DFA Records)
- "BlindBlind (Hercules and Love Affair song)-Writing and inspiration:"Blind" was written by Antony Hegarty and Andrew Butler. The song began as a poem by Butler before it was recorded by Hegarty.-Critical reception:...
" (3 March 2008, DFA Records) UK Singles ChartUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#40, Italy Singles Chart #12 - "You BelongYou Belong"You Belong" is the second single from the eponymous debut album by Hercules and Love Affair. It features Nomi Ruiz with backing vocals by Antony Hegarty.-Critical reception:...
" (7 July 2008, DFA Records) - "My House" (24 January 2011, Moshi Moshi)
- "Painted Eyes" (18 April 2011, Moshi Moshi)
External links
- Official forum
- Hercules and Love Affair at Discogs
- Hercules and Love Affair at Last.fmLast.fmLast.fm is a music website, founded in the United Kingdom in 2002. It has claimed 30 million active users in March 2009. On 30 May 2007, CBS Interactive acquired Last.fm for UK£140m ....
- Hercules and Love Affair Interview at musicOMH.com
- Hercules and Love Affair – Athene Music Video