Andy Butler (Hercules and Love Affair) launches Mr. International

Andy Butler (Hercules and Love Affair) launches Mr. International

30 August, 2010 | 1.57AM

• Written by: Beatportal
• Filed under: Music News: andrew butler, hercules and love affair, in the box, jason kendig, mr. intl

Andy Butler—best known as the force behind DFA’s disco-loving Hercules and Love Affair—keeps the old-school spirit alive with his new label, Mr. International.

The label is all about staying true to a distant era in house and techno. “I don’t want anything that sounds pre-’85 or post-’94”, specifies Butler, laying out the parameters of his retro-minded project.

The first release is a collaboration between Butler and Jason Kendig, an original resident at Detroit’s Family party and current member of San Francisco’s Honeysoundsystem crew. ‘And I’m (So In Love With You)’, which was produced entirely on period-appropriate analog technology, harks back to the glory days of KMS, Strictly Rhythm, Nu Groove, and other icons of house and techno’s restless glory days.

“I want to evoke strictly that sound on this label, so I’ve been pretty hard-ass with people in terms of what the output is”, says Butler.

The track comes with remixes from KiNK and Deetron, two artists who are well familiar with raw period sounds.

To celebrate the label’s launch, Butler schooled us on some of the go-to tunes in his set.

Andy Butler and Jason Kendig, ‘And I’m (So In Love With You)’ [Mr. International]

Andy Butler’s “What’s In the Box” Selections

Favorite opener

Daniel Wang, ‘Not Feeling It’ [Rush Hour]

I love this track; Danny is a magician with samples, but in true artistic fashion really pushes himself to make new music. Still though he kills when it comes to arranging fun samples.

Trippiest record

Liquid Bass, ‘I Love’ [Vicious Muzik Records]

An old Johnny Vicious record that samples Rochelle Flemming and has the simplest delayed synth line and kooky tribal drums. I think I have flashbacks when I hear it, so it might just be super trippy to me.

Bassline weapon

Headman, ‘Gimme (In Flagranti Remix)’ [Relish]

This monster has been ripping lately. Every time I play it or hear it, I just go “Oh yeah”.

Vocal track

Any Inner City jam!

Oldie that has been forgotten

Shanice, ‘I Like (Masters at Work Remix)’ [Motown]

Jason Kendig and I had heard an old Mark Farina tape from ‘94, and he bugged when he heard it. Got the record, I’ve been playing it out, and it is, well, killer.

Secret weapon

I have given a lot of these out already, so no comment. With the new label I get to have a bunch more.

Best closer

Ganymed, ‘Hyperspace’ [Bellaphon]

It’s an old, freaked-out space disco jam that separates the truly bugged-out glamour girls from the rest.

Best freak-out tempo change/mood change

There is this wigged out jumper of a disco tune by Mephisto that is all about the devil claiming a bunch of sexy girls’ souls. But it all starts with that ominous laugh and then just busts into a chuggin’ disco jam.

Guilty pleasure

Doris D and the Pins, ‘Shine Up’ [Utopia]

Record I play when in a bad mood

Something Todd Terry produced. It makes me happier.

Record that never leaves my bag

An artist that remains in the bag all the time would be KiNK recently , but they all gotta leave at some point. It’s a rule. As heartbreaking as it might feel, I gotta let go of the crutches at some point!

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