RESIDENT DJ 035: Hercules & Love Affair

Andy Butler (aka Hercules & Love Affair) has spent nearly two decades using his pseudonymous musical project to explore queer identity, intimacy, and the emotional pull of house music. A secretive home producer and recordist in the Arthur Russell vein, Butler was nudged into the spotlight by his friend ANOHNI, who contributed vocals to Hercules' scene-stealing 2008 debut album. Their strobing disco classic, "Blind," became an era-defining track, receiving the remix treatment from house-music royalty Frankie Knuckles. Butler also became a sought-after remixer in his own right, including tracks for Lady Gaga, Blondie, Yazoo, Sylvan Esso, Goldfrapp, and more. After a turbulent period coming to terms with the group's stratospheric rise, Butler recorded two albums for London's Moshi Moshi Records (Bloc Party, Hot Chip) and returned to the major-label world for Omnion (2017) and In Amber (2022). Hercules & Love Affair returns in 2026 with a two-part EP, Danseur, to be released in June and August.

Just in time for Pride Month, Hercules & Love Affair is KCRW's Resident DJ for June 2026.