Antony and the Johnsons Publishing Art Book With New Album

Antony Hegarty of Antony and the Johnsons has a knack for drawing in an audience with his slow-tempo croons that range somewhere between Roy Orbison's yodel and opera vibrato. His unique vocals, after all, earned the 39-year-old the UK's honorable Mercury Prize in 2005 for his second album, 'I Am a Bird.' But now, Hegarty and his collaborators are taking things into the visual realm with a book of art that will be released with 'Swanlights,' their fourth album, on Oct. 5.

"I like drawing because it is open-ended," Hegarty tells Spinner. "One invites the viewer to perceive a drawing within the framework of the viewer's own thoughts, dreams and associations."

Antony is no stranger to the art world -- his work has been displayed in solo shows, some of which you can see here. The 144-page book is being published by Abrams Image and is a mixed bag of paintings, collages, photography and writing. "I like that freedom and that kind of intuitive communication," Hegarty says. "It makes me feel more free."