More Manimalian–Manimalien?–news today: L.A. band Hecuba has been laying a little low since the release a memorable EP and a very sophisticated full-length since 2008. If you've never met them, allow John Payne to introduce you to producer/singer Jon Beasley and singer/daner Isabelle Albuquerque:

Hecuba take not the biggest but a sizable and discerning chunk of artistic influence — Robert Wyatt and Charles Ives, Stanley Kubrick and Patti Smith, Pharrell and Aphex Twin — and rub it together intelligently. One of Beasley's springboards was 1960s and '70s soundtrack composer Wendy Carlos, whose Switched-on Bach made a big impression. “Somehow, that made total sense to me, because there's a purity of sound: the most beautiful synthesizers, and then this classic songwriting, mathematical and pure.

“It came from a different place,” he adds, “and it was able to touch anybody. It was so musical and so incredible that something went way above all the ideological things and just touched everybody.”

But they've also been laying a little low since the release of some still-pretty-haunting (and Kanye-approved) videos–here's Hecuba singer Iz in a disappointing love affair with a desensitized mannequin and here's a very loving semi-homage to Kenneth Anger with a completely rejuvenating final chorus. So turns out they've been away working on a combination of both:

Hecuba is making a movie. It is a 30 minute narrative film staring Jasmine Albuquerque called Brass Knuckles. The film is directed by Jon Beasley, scored by Hecuba, and has an incredible cast of artists and performers.

Brass Knuckles stars Jasmine Albuquerque as a young dancer who pushes herself beyond her limits and discovers a form of self-expression that is both liberating and dangerous. The 30 minute narrative short film follows her through a series of relationships and encounters that enable her transformation. We begin shooting in December.

Director Jon Beasley and writers Beasley and Isabelle Albuquerque (both members of the music group Hecuba) bring their rich visual sense and unique approach to sound and storytelling to the making of Brass Knuckles.

The film focuses on the world of progressive dance and features some of Los Angeles' most innovative artists and performers. Brass Knuckles is a narrative film, but will also serve as a document that captures a moment in a vibrant and important movement in art.

And like lots of creatives in what S. Terkel might call hard times, they've turned to Kickstarter to get this thing made. Donors get exclusive soundtrack LPs, possible walk-on appearances and maybe the hand-studded leather jacket from the 'Suffering' video above, which is the next best possible thing to one of Alan Vega's SUICIDE jackets. Help them out and watch the clip here.

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.