Giorgio Moroder

The backstory behind Movies, the upcoming EP from Class Actress, reads like a steamy Hollywood thriller, so it’s only appropriate that the video that the Movies track “More Than You” should follow suit. Elizabeth Harper (a.k.a. Class Actress) left her home in New York behind for L.A. in 2013 — a stay in a notorious Hollywood hotel and one intense love affair later, Harper had the inspiration for the cinematic songs that make up Movies. The steamy, surprising video for “More Than You” plays out like a lost David Lynch movie, and the music reflects that sleek-but-decadent, slightly disturbing feel perfectly.

The EP is due out June 23 via Casablanca Records and was co-produced by the legendary Giorgio Moroder, Neon Indian and Mess Kid. The executive producers are Moroder and Evan Bogart, son of famed Casablanca founder Neil Bogart. For Moroder being back with a Bogart on Casablanca (home of many a disco hit in the ’70s) feels very much like home.

Moroder says, “It was such an amazing experience to work on a release for Casablanca again… She [Class Actress] is so lovely to work with, and made the work a very enjoyable experience for me.”  Bogart shares Moroder’s enthusiasm, observing, “Elizabeth is a true artiste, someone my Dad would’ve adored, a real Casablanca artist whose vision transcends decades of music and sensuality. To cultivate this project alongside the legendary Giorgio, with Casablanca, has been a longtime dream of mine come true.”

About a week and a half ago, close observers caught sight of what seemed to be a custom-made synth being played by Italo-disco godhead Giorgio Moroder — whose comeback album is due out in June — in a video and started getting very excited, but no official information was made available about it until now. If you’re connected to Moroder’s official page on Facebook (and why wouldn’t you be?) you may have seen him post a link to a site about the new MoroderNova, which makes the musical legend’s legacy just a little bit larger.

After Moroder used a Novation MiniNova synth during his American DJ debut performance at Deep Space at Cielo in NYC two years ago, the seed was planted for what has now been revealed as a limited-edition custom Moroder-branded version of the instrument.

There will only be 500 MoroderNovas sold, but every one will come custom-loaded with special patches based on some of Moroder’s most famous productions, from his pioneering work with Donna Summer on “I Feel Love” to his trailblazing electronic instrumental “The Chase” and many more.

And every time you sneak a peek at the top of the synth, you’ll see the trademark shades-and-mustache Moroder logo letting you know you’re behind the wheel of a Giorgio machine. In the meantime, register at the site to find out when the MoroderNova will be available.