Thomas Lauderdale, the founder and bandleader of beloved Portland, Oregon-based little orchestra
Pink Martini and "post-modern chanteuse" (The Boston Globe)
Meow Meow have joined forces for Hotel Amour, their highly anticipated joint album due March 22 via Heinz Records. The title track is now available for streaming and sharing
HERE.
The product of a decades-long friendship, artistic collaboration and songwriting partnership, the long-awaited album also features special guests Rufus Wainwright, Barry Humphries (of Dame Edna fame) and The von Trapps, plus a special live recording with legendary pianist and composer Michel Legrand.
A musical love affair between two singular artists, Hotel Amour features new original songs alongside journeys into the French, German and Shanghainese canon of the 20th century-encompassing bittersweet tragedy, humor, politics, witty wicked Weimar and aching French torch songs. Of the album,
Meow Meow says, "The sound will be both familiar and exotic to both my fans and those of Pink Martini-a true collaboration between two passionate artists with converging and diverging inspirations, but above all an obsession with the joy of sharing special music. I think it really is a collection of songs-both originals and covers-that range from little historical gems we have polished to others that we have written our hearts and souls into."
Together the two friends have performed and composed across the globe, sharing stages ranging from the backstreet bars of
Berlin and Portland, Oregon's infamous strip club, Mary's Club, to the legendary
Sydney Opera House and London's Royal Albert Hall. They will tour in support of the album this spring, and then Meow Meow-who is also set to appear in the upcoming star-studded film adaptation of the musical Cats-will join
Pink Martini on a U.S. tour in the fall. Details to be announced.