Antony and Cleopatra (musical duo)

UK musical group

Antony & Cleopatra

Genres|

* Techno
* house
* dance
* pop
* deep house
* indie

Years active| 2014-present
Labels|

* Anjunadeep
* Sweat It Out
* Hexagon
* Island Records
* Dew Process/Universal Music Australia

Formerly of|

* Motez
* Riton
* Kah-lo
* Lancelot
* Jaded
* Black Caviar
* Jax Jones
* Tieks
* Nicky Night Time
* Moonboots
* James Hype
* Dreamtrak

Spinoff of|

* Sparkadia
* CocknBull Kid
* Kommunion

Members|

* Alexander Burnett
Anita Blay

Website| antonyandcleo.com

Antony & Cleopatra is a London-based musical duo consisting of Alexander Burnett and Anita Blay, also known as CocknBullKid. The two met in 2014 at a pop music writing session before coming together to form a musical duo.

## Formation

[edit]

Producer and collaborator Mark-Anthony Tieku (AKA "Tieks") introduced Burnett and Blay during a pop songwriting session in 2014. Tieks had worked with both Burnett on Sparkadia's album The Great Impression [1][2] and with Blay on an unreleased CocknBullKid album.[3][4]

Burnett and Blay joined forces to form the Antony & Cleopatra duo. Their first official project as a duo was a feature on Lancelot's 'Givin' it Up', released on Anjuna Deep in 2014.[5][6]

## Releases

[edit]

### Early releases

[edit]

The duo's debut single as lead artists, "Sirens", was released March 3, 2015 on Vitalic Noise.[7][8] The official music video was co-directed by Burnett and Blay with Andrew Bird.[9]

On social media, the duo said of the track and the minimalist video: "The bigger the city, the lonelier you'll feel within it... You can't escape the sounds of sirens in London and the constant reminder of how lucky we are not to be the sirens' endpoint... In this modern era of frenetic videos, we wanted to make a video that moves you through simple emotion rather than explosions and dudes backflipping." [10]

Later in 2015 they released the single 'Take Me'. They spoke to The 405 about the track, noting that it: 'draws heavily on the traditions of UK dance music, and this track is at its heart a shout out to all of their favourite elements. Diva vocals, breakbeats and dark textures combine...'[11][12]

The official video features a montage of notable couples through history.[13] It was directed by Australian digital artist 'Ego'[14] and premiered on 'Ear Milk' on June 2, 2015.[15]

'Love Is A Lonely Dancer' was released as a single on March 11, 2016. It was picked up as one of Wonderland Magazine's tracks of the week. [16] The video was directed by Alan Masferrer, with choreography by Anna Hierro and VFX by Nico Zarza.[17][18]

### Signing and subsequent singles

[edit]

In 2017 Antony & Cleopatra signed with Dew Process / Universal Music Australia.

Their July 2017 single 'Dust' was added to high rotation on Australian national radio station Triple J. The video was again directed by digital artist 'Ego' and was The Au Review's "Music Video of the Day" on July 12, 2017.[19][20]

Subsequent singles in 2017 & 2018 were 'Twitch',[21] 'The Islands',[22] and 'Hurt Like Hell'. 'The Islands' featured Blay's first rap vocals. All tracks were playlisted at Triple J, with 'The Islands' receiving A-list rotation.

On May 1, 2019 they announced a new single 'Why Don't You Just Call Me' online.[23][24] The track premiered on UK pop music blog Pop Justice.[25]

### Debut EP Hurt Like Hell

[edit]

November 23, 2018 saw the release of their 6-song debut EP, Hurt Like Hell. Blay described the EP as "the best way of showing our more techno and weird musical moments that you'd see in our live show or DJ set.".[26] The EP was named The AU Review's "Album of the Week".[27]

## Discography

[edit]

Song  | Artist  | Year  | Record  | Label

|
|
|
|

"Why Don't You Just Call Me"  | Antony & Cleopatra  | 2019  | Single  | Dew Process
"Slippin'"  | Jaded x Black Caviar x Antony & Cleopatra  | 2019  | Single  | Hexagon (US), The Label (UK)
"Hard Feelings"  | Antony & Cleopatra  | 2019  | Single  | Dew Process / Island Records UK
"Hurt Like Hell"  | Antony & Cleopatra  | 2018  | EP  | Dew Process / Island Records UK
"Hurt Like Hell"  | Antony & Cleopatra  | 2018  | Single  | Dew Process / Island Records UK
"Baptised"  | Antony & Cleopatra  | 2018  | EP  | Dew Process / Island Records UK
"Safe Word"  | Antony & Cleopatra  | 2018  | EP  | Dew Process / Island Records UK
"Worlds Apart"  | Antony & Cleopatra  | 2018  | EP  | Dew Process / Island Records UK
"Dropping Plates"  | Antony & Cleopatra  | 2018  | EP  | Dew Process / Island Records UK
"The Islands"  | Antony & Cleopatra  | 2018  | Single  | Dew Process / Island Records UK
"Twitch"  | Antony & Cleopatra  | 2017  | Single  | Dew Process / Island Records UK
"Dust"  | Antony & Cleopatra  | 2017  | Single  | Dew Process / Island Records UK
"Love is a Lonely Dancer"  | Antony & Cleopatra  | 2016  | Single  | Dew Process / Island Records UK
"Take Me"  | Antony & Cleopatra  | 2015  | Single  | Vitalic Noise
"Sirens"  | Antony & Cleopatra  | 2015  | Single  | Vitalic Noise

## Additional songwriting and vocals

[edit]

After Antony & Cleopatra's initial singles, the duo began to contribute to other artist and producer projects. The duo shortly featured on tracks by Lancelot, Beni, Nicky Night Time, and Sammy Bananas.

In 2015, Burnett co-wrote and performed on 'The Tide' with London producer Dreamtrak. He said of the collaboration to Wonderland Magazine: "Alexander and I have been working together for quite a long time, he’s probably the person I see the most these days! He has an amazing way with melody and words and the most incredible voice. Recently I’ve been doing production work for his forthcoming records and also co-writing for other artists with him. There’s a few things that are already out in the world – like this Antony & Cleopatra track which I’m very proud of." [28]

In 2017, Burnett co-wrote dance producer Motez's single 'The Future ft Antony & Cleopatra'. The track featured vocals from both Burnett and Blay.[29] As of March 2019, the track has gold status and has been streamed over 13 million times on Spotify.

Feb 18 2019 saw the release of "Slippin'" - a collaborative track between Antony & Cleopatra, New York duo Black Caviar, & production trio JADED, on Don Diablo’s ‘Hexagon’ label.[citation needed] The track was featured in Stella McCartney's Fall Winter 2019 Paris fashion show. [30]

The duo have also provided songwriting and vocals on the below:[31][32][33]

Song  | Artist  | Year  | Record  | Label

|
|
|
|

"Slippin'"  | Jaded x Black Caviar x Antony & Cleopatra  | 2019  | Single  | Hexagon (US), The Label (UK)
"Careful Baby"  | Nicky Night Time feat. Antony & Cleopatra  | 2016  | Single  | Sweat It Out
"Never Get to You"  | Moonboots feat. Antony & Cleopatra  | 2016  | Single  | Anjunabeats
"Money Time"  | Sammy Bananas feat. Antony & Cleopatra  | 2015  | Single  | Fools Gold
"The Tide"  | Dreamtrak  | 2015  | Single  | Mermaid Avenue / Mom + Pop
"Givin' it Up"  | Lanceleot feat. Antony & Cleopatra  | 2014  | Single  | Anjunadeep
"Protect"  | Beni feat. Antony & Cleopatra  | 2014  | Single  | WIN/Modular
"Make Ends Meet"  | Lancelot feat. Antony & Cleopatra  | 2014  | Single  | Anjunadeep

## Live performances

[edit]

The duo's first Australian tour was part of the 2017 Alison Wonderland's 'Scarehouse Project' alongside other acts such as Lunice, Lido, ASAP Ferg and Saatchi.[34]

In July 2018, they went on to play at Australia's largest winter music festival, Splendour in the Grass.[35] [36]

Antony & Cleopatra additionally toured with Riton and Kahlo, performing at Oxford Art Factory in Sydney and the Prince Bandroom in Melbourne.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Alexander Burnett Instagram post: Sept 8, 2017". instagram.com. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
2. ^ "Alexander Burnett Instagram post: Aug 26, 2016". instagram.com. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
3. ^ "ASCAP Database - Sinners". ASCAP. 20 May 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
4. ^ "Bellyache - CocknBullKid lyrics". Genius. 20 May 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
5. ^ "Lancelot "Givin' It Up" ft. Antony & Cleopatra". Pitchfork.com. 20 December 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
6. ^ "Premiere: Lancelot ft. Antony & Cleopatra - Givin' It Up". Clashmusic.com. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
7. ^ "Get To Know: Antony & Cleopatra". HUNGER TV. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
8. ^ "Antony & Cleopatra 'Sirens' - Purple Sneakers". Purple Sneakers. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
9. ^ "Antony & Cleopatra - Sirens. Official music video". youtube.com. 25 March 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
10. ^ "Antony & Cleopatra Instagram post: April 2, 2015". instagram.com. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
11. ^ Thomas, Russell (19 May 2015). "Listen to 'Take Me' by London duo Antony & Cleopatra [405 Premiere]". The 405. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
12. ^ Admin, Stagedoor (21 May 2015). "New music: Antony & Cleopatra – 'Take Me'". Stagedoor FM. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
13. ^ "Antony & Cleopatra - Take Me. Official music video". youtube.com. June 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
14. ^ "Antony & Cleopatra Instagram post: June 3, 2015". instagram.com. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
15. ^ "Antony & Cleopatra "Take Me" straight to the dance floor with their new single [Video Premiere]". Earmilk. 2 June 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
16. ^ "Antony & Cleopatra Instagram post: March 14, 2016". instagram.com. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
17. ^ "Antony & Cleopatra: Love Is A Lonely Dancer". shots.net. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
18. ^ "Antony & Cleopatra 'Love Is A Lonely Dancer' by Alan Masferrer". promonews.tv. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
19. ^ Fuamoli, Sosefina (12 July 2017). "Music Video of the Day: Antony & Cleopatra "Dust" (2017)". The AU Review. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
20. ^ Mutton, Troy (12 July 2017). "Premiere: Listen to another classy new single from Antony & Cleopatra - Dust". Pile Rats. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
21. ^ Jones, Emma (25 November 2017). "ANTONY & CLEOPATRA SHARE NEW DANCEFLOOR-READY SINGLE, 'TWITCH'". Purple Sneakers. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
22. ^ Wilton, Jake (25 April 2018). "ANTONY & CLEOPATRA ARE RIGHT ON THE MONEY WITH 'THE ISLANDS'". AAA Backstage. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
23. ^ "Instagram post: April 2, 2019". instagram.com. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
24. ^ "Facebook post: April 2, 2019". facebook.com. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
25. ^ Robinson, Peter (1 May 2019). "Antony & Cleopatra's new one advocates telephone usage via the medium of explosive disco house". Pop Justice. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
26. ^ Davies, Hayden (November 2017). "EP Walkthrough: Antony & Cleopatra on their debut EP, Hurt Like Hell". Pilerats. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
27. ^ Toerkell, Liv (28 November 2018). "Album of the Week: Antony & Cleopatra – Hurt Like Hell (2018 EP)". The AU Review. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
28. ^ "New Noise: Dreamtrak". wonderlandmagazine.com. 4 November 2015. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
29. ^ "Motez Unveils Ethereal Track & Video 'The Future' ft. Antony & Cleopatra". Broadway World. 6 July 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
30. ^ "Stella McCartney Fall Winter 2019/2020 Paris Fashion Show: Looks". anyabelle.com. 6 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
31. ^ "LANCELOT FEAT. ANTONY & CLEOPATRA 'GIVIN' IT UP': "VIBRANT SLICE OF CONTEMPORARY HOUSE MUSIC"". famemagazine.co.uk. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
32. ^ "Beni: "Protect" (feat. Antony & Cleopatra) « La.Ga.Sta". lagasta.com. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
33. ^ "Money Time feat. Antony & Cleopatra - FOOL'S GOLD". foolsgoldrecs.com. Retrieved 6 July 2015.
34. ^ Cyclone (29 November 2017). "'There's Always A Space For Whatever You Wanna Create'". The Music. Retrieved 26 October 2018.
35. ^ "Bands In Town gig history". bandsintown.com. Retrieved 12 March 2019.
36. ^ "Get to Know: Antony & Cleopatra". splendourinthegrass.com. Retrieved 12 March 2019.[permanent dead link]

## External links

[edit]

* Official Antony & Cleopatra website
* Official Antony & Cleopatra Instagram