Antony and the Johnsons biography
On January 26, 2012, the Museum of Modern Art in New York produced a sold-out performance by Antony and the Johnsons, entitled "Swanlights" after their fourth studio album, at Radio City Music Hall, a collaboration with laser artist Chris Levine and set designer Carl Robertshaw. Hailed a triumph by the New York Times, the spectacle was prefaced by a speech from Dr. Julia Yasuda, who said: "I am concerned about nature changing and dying. Won't you please help her? Otherwise the world will be too lonely". The New York Times entitled their article about the concert as "Cries From the Heart, Crashing Like Waves".
On March 14, 2012, the Southbank Centre in London announced that Antony would direct Meltdown 2012. Since 1993, some of the world's most distinguished musicians including Nick Cave, John Peel, Laurie Anderson, Patti Smith, David Bowie and, most recently, Ray Davies, have directed Meltdown, hand-picking their ideal festival by inviting their favourite artists to play, perform and exhibit their work at Southbank Centre. Meltdown 2012 will see Antony create a line-up of twelve days of music, debate and performance that reflects his interests, influences and passions.
Political and ecological views
In interviews around the world in 2010, Antony described his work on
Swanlights and
The Crying Light as "a collision between joy and a sense of hopelessness". Antony said he was struggling to come to terms with the idea that he was part of a society that was having a "virulent" impact on the earth. He suggested that the degradation of nature was partially a result of the subjugation of women and earth-based spiritual systems.
Influence on other artists
In November 2011, the English folk group The Unthanks released a live album,
The Songs of Robert Wyatt and Antony & The Johnsons.
Band members
Current members include:
- Antony Hegarty - lead vocals, piano
- Julia Kent (previously of Rasputina) - cello
- Parker Kindred - drummer
- Jeff Langston - bassist
- Doug Wieselman - horns
- Maxim Moston - violin, arrangement
- Rob Moose - guitar, violin
- Thomas Bartlett - piano
Previous members have included:
- Joan Wasser - violin
- Tahrah Cohen aka Todd Cohen
Bibliography
- Antony and the Johnsons, Swanlights, Abrams Image, 2010
- Jerome Solal, La Voix d'Antony, Le Mot et le Reste, 2011
EPs
- I Fell in Love with a Dead Boy (Durtro, January 2001; reissued on Rebis Music, 2006)
- The Lake (EP) (Secretly Canadian, November 2004)
- Hope There's Someone (Secretly Canadian, June 2005) UK #44
- You Are My Sister (Secretly Canadian, Rough Trade, November 2005) UK #39
- Another World (EP) (Secretly Canadian, October 7, 2008) US #179, UK Budget Albums #6
- Thank You for Your Love (Secretly Canadian, August 30, 2010)
- Swanlights (EP) (Secretly Canadian and Rough Trade Records, April 26, 2011)
Singles
- "Cripple and the Starfish"
- "Epilepsy Is Dancing" (Secretly Canadian, 7 April 2009)
- "Aeon" (Secretly Canadian, 4 August 2009)
Promo singles
- "Calling for Vanished Faces" / "Virgin Mary" 7" (Durtro, May 2003) (Split single with Current 93; Limited to 500 copies)
Live albums
- Live at St. Olave's (Durtro, May 2003)
References
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