Mercury award winning group Antony And The Johnsons are gearing up to release a new single, which will contain a unique cover of a Beyonce hit.
Antony Hegarty was born in England, but really came of age in New York. Sexually confused, the singer’s high, arching voice is utterly unique, and seemed to find its home in the city’s legendary arts scene.
Forming Antony & The Johnsons, the group’s self-titled debut album was released in 2001. Building a cult following, Hegarty was invited to sing with Lou Reed which exposed his music to a much larger audience.
Follow up ‘I Am A Bird Now’ was released in 2005 to spectacular acclaim. The jazz influenced arrangements, the inventive songwriting and of course Hegarty’s voice made it a worthy winner of the Mercury Music Prize – just don’t Kaiser Chiefs their opinion.
Since then, Hegarty has worked on a variety of projects including a stunning turn on the Hercules & Love Affair track ‘Blind’. Reforming the Johnsons, the group released their new album ‘The Crying Light’ earlier this year.
A sensational return, it bowled over critics with its hushed, emotional tone. Antony Hegarty dropped by for a chat just after its release – click HERE to read more!
Fond of covering other singer’s material, Hegarty has in the past lent his unique voice to songs by David Lynch, Leonard Cohen and more. Recently, the Johnsons have been lightening up their concerts with a version of Beyonce’s ‘Crazy In Love’.
A fan’s favourite, it slows the tempo of the song down, but while Hegarty’s voice add a trembling emotive feel it retains a twinkling, outrageous charm.
Forthcoming single ‘Aeon’ is taken from ‘The Crying Light’, and will be released as a double A-side. Available on CD seven inch, the single will be released through Hegarty’s long term home of Rough Trade.
Antony & The Johnsons are due to release their new single ‘Aeons / Crazy In Love’ on August 3rd.