Much like Justin Timberlake brought sexy back, New York house group Hercules and Love Affair brought disco back. A mere three years ago, producer Andy Butler dusted off the ol’ glitterball and debuted the outfit’s first, self-titled album, a glistening house creation with sultry guest vocalists, lush dance grooves, and nostalgia-tinged hedonism galore. Now Hercules and Love Affair are back, with a brand new album, a brand new tour and a brand new direction. In a step away from the first album’s NY club feel, the new album Blue Songs was conceived by Butler in Denver, recorded in Vienna with techno producer Patrick Pulsinger, and will be performed LIVE in concert venues from Dallas to Philly.
So, with all these crazy new places incorporated into the H&LA sound, what’s it gonna sound like when you’re sipping a $12 Bud Lite Lime at Washington, DC’s famed Jiffy Lube Live? Some kind of over-the-top hybrid of Slim Cessna’s Auto Club as fronted by Derrick May? Okay, so maybe it’s not that extreme, or even that “BRAND NEW.” According to Butler, the new album — which has already come out overseas — will still have those essential disco and house elements, but will stand apart from its predecessor because of the inclusion of “more experimental, softer music.” Vocalist Kim Ann Foxman returns, and new guest vocalists like Venezuelan singer Aerea Negrot, Kele Okereke (Bloc Party), Mark Pistel (Meat Beat Manifesto), and Shaun Wright also appear on the album — although no word yet who’ll be swinging by on tour. Blue Songs comes out in the US on August 16 via Moshi Moshi. And to celebrate, two days later (August 18) Hercules and Love Affair head out to a concert hall near you, bringing glamour, hot beats, and cool times to fans of music venues with corporate names all across America.
Dates:
08.18.11 - Washington DC - Jiffy Lube Live
08.19.11 - Philadelphia, PA - Susquehanna Bank Center
08.20.11 - Boston, MA - Comcast or Jiffy Lube Live
08.21.11 - New York, NY - Nikon at Jones Beach
08.23.11 - Atlanta, GA - LakeWood
08.24.11 -Tampa, FL - 1-800 Ask Gary Amphitheater
08.25.11 - Miami, FL - BayFront
08.27.11 - Houston, TX - Cynthia Wood Mitchel Pavilion
08.28.11 - Dallas, TX - Gexa Energy Pavilion
08.30.11 - Alburquerque, NM - The Pavilion
09.02.11 - San Diego, CA - Cricket Wireless Amphitheater
09.03.11 - San Francisco, CA - Shoreline Amphitheater
09.04.11 - Irvine Meadows, CA - Verizon Wireless
• Hercules and Love Affair: http://www.myspace.com/herculesandloveaffair
• Moshi Moshi: http://www.moshimoshimusic.com
