Beautiful re-imaginings of powerful songs

The Unthanks Diversions Vol. 1: The Songs Of Robert Wyatt And Antony & The Johnsons - Live From The Union Chapel, London Rough Trade Records [2012] Fire Note Says: The Unthanks release their excellent live show of Robert Wyatt and Antony & The Johnsons covers. Album Review: Most people in the States are probably not that familiar with the British indie folk outfit comprised of sisters Rachel and Becky Unthank. Since their 2009 debut the group has received high praise and a solid following across seas with the combination of their siren voices, pop undertones and stylistic indie folk but has continued to ...

Live concert recordings can be a mixed bag. Some bands thrive on the freeform jam experience, and live recordings of their songs are considered the "definitive" versions. Live/Dead is as legendary as it is for a reason. However, more often than not, live albums simply lack the polish and attention to detail that made the studio records so mesmerizing. When I began The Unthanks live concert recording of beloved tracks by baroque pop artist Antony and the Johnsons and avant-garde jazz musician Ro

Live concert recordings can be a mixed bag. Some bands thrive on the freeform jam experience, and live recordings of their songs are considered the "definitive" versions. Live/Dead is as legendary as it is for a reason. However, more often than not, live albums simply lack the polish and attention to detail that made the studio records so mesmerizing. When I began The Unthanks live concert recording of beloved tracks by baroque pop artist Antony and the Johnsons and avant-garde jazz musician Ro

-- First Third Books will soon publish a limited edition photobook documenting the history of 1980s cult pop group Felt . The book collects over 140 photographs, with an introduction by Saint Etienne's Bob Stanley. Each book is signed by frontman  Lawrence , who also penned its text. -- On February 7, Rough Trade will release a new album the Mercury Prize-nominated UK sister duo  the Unthanks . The record,  Diversions Vol. 1 , collects their covers of songs by Antony and the Johnsons and Robert Wyatt, as performed live at London's Union Chapel in December 2010. Preview the album  here , and download "Lullaby ...

Last Thursday saw  Antony and the Johnsons staging their one-off performance event Swanlights at the Radio City Music Hall - as commissioned by MoMA . Just looking at these fan videos made us teary-eyed. So incredibly beautiful. Envisioned as a meditation on light, nature, and femininity they were backed by a 60-piece symphony orchestra and heavenly light and set design. In the first clip Antony speaks to MoMA PS1 Director Klaus Biesenbach  and we love A's sharp intellect, not to mention all that talent in abundance. It's hard to fathom the shyness, just the idea of that amazing voice being ...

Antony and the Johnsons’ performance with a 60-piece orchestra on Thursday night, called “Swanlights,” was commissioned by the Museum of Modern Art.

Last night at Radio City Music Hall, Antony and the Johnsons performed Swanlights , a one-night-only performance art exhibition commissioned by the Museum of Modern Art. The night featured interpretive dance, a laser light show, and a stage design that ought to have its own wing of the actual MoMA, not to mention frontman Antony Hegarty performing (in a breathtaking — as usual — white gown) selections from all four Antony and the Johnsons albums (2000's self-titled, 2005's I Am a Bird Now , 2009's The Crying Light , and 2010's Swanlights ) with the assistance of the 60-piece New York Symphony ...

photo via Pitchfork Rave reviews! Capital New York goes behind the scenes… Swanlights, the large-scale symphonic concert event by Antony and the Johnsons commissioned by the Museum of Modern Art and featuring a 60-piece orchestra at Radio City Music Hall tonight, is the culmination of a particular fascination Antony Hegarty first developed over two decades ago… There’s also some lovely photos over Brooklyn Vegan … And some more at Pitchfork … Read and comment. From thedailyswarm.com.

Last night at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, Antony Hegarty and Antony and the Johnsons debuted a "large-scale concert and performance event" titled "Swanlights", which was commissioned by the Museum of Modern Art . Our photographer Will Deitz was there. Check out a selection of shots after the jump, then head over to our Facebook page for even more photos .

photos by Amanda Hatfield, words by Rachel Kowal A thick cloak of darkness draped the stage of Radio City when Antony Hegarty began to sing. My eyes trained on his white floor-length robe, the only thing that shone through the...

On Thursday night (Jan. 26), Antony Hegarty of Antony & The Johnsons unveiled "Swanlights," an operating, awe-inspiring one-time performance piece presented in conjunction with the Museum of Modern Art at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

Recommended Show: THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 2012 XYLOS @ HIRO BALLR OOM 363 West 16th St New York, NY 10011 $15, 7:00PM It's been a while since Hiro Ballroom has made it onto our radar, but it looks like Xylos are ready to help put it back on for us! They play there tonight! Daniel Knox @ 92YTribeca Too Short @ Knitting Factory The Biters @ Bowery Electric Antony and The Johnsons @ Radio City Music Hall Mr. Dream, Make Out, & Lantern @ 59 Canal Street Rhyton, Woodsman, 1129, & Electroputas @ Shea Stadium Fabric, Plastic Flowers, & Weird Rivers @ Cameo Gallery MEN, Making Friendz, & Claire's Diary ...

Posted at 2:15pm, 1/26/2012 Noise Pop , San Francisco's music festival will celebrate their 20th anniversary this February. This year features The Flaming Lips, Sleigh Bells, The Fresh & Onlys, Bob Mould & more. Check the Noise Pop site for the full schedule of performances: www.lineup.noisepop.com/events/2012/02/21/?alldays=1/ . betterPropaganda has created a Noise Pop 2012 Mix featuring our favorite bands playing the festival. You can stream or download mp3s from the mix, and don't forget to check the poster art by the one and only, Shepard Fairey, below. Noise Pop 2012 Sampler [ play ] [RICH MEDIA, CLICK TO VIEW ON SITE] The Noise Pop Festival is San Francisco’s favorite indie music, arts and film festival. Now in its 20th year, Noise Pop has brought early exposure to many emerging artists in the Bay Area and beyond, many of whom have gone on to widespread acclaim. Some notable acts who have played Noise Pop include the White Stripes, Modest Mouse, The Flaming Lips, Death Cab for Cutie, The Shins, Bright Eyes, Best Coast, Jeff Tweedy, The Dodos, Girls and Antony and The Johnsons. The festival has also featured musical legends such as Yoko Ono and The Plastic Ono Band, Bob Mould, Yo La Tengo, X, Frank Black (of the Pixies), Sleater-Kinney and Television. In addition, the festival boasts a film series that explores the intersection of music and art; Pop-n-Shop, a local designer fair; Culture Club, an interactive workshop exploring DIY culture; Art Gallery Shows; Happy Hours and much more. If you are able to donate to help keep betterPropaganda going strong, please do. If not, just sit back and enjoy the music! Any amount is appreciated. Please feel free to donate securely through Paypal. Thanks for your support, we wouldn't be here today without our fans ...

Rough Trade | 2012 | Album Reviewed By: Jaime Hypes Review Date: 1/26/2012 Rating (out of 10): 9 - Simply Amazing. Trying to recreate another artist’s songs in an effort to pay respects to them, while still attempting to mold them into something different, is a daring and often misdirected effort. Trying to do this with artists who are cult icons and relatively unknown to a general audience is an even trickier, albeit braver, attempt. The Unthanks do all of this with a live show recorded in London’s Union Chapel, reproducing the songs of Antony & the Johnsons and Robert ...