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Biography
Inara George and Greg Kurstin met during the production of George’s debut album “All Rise” in 2005. Discovering a shared love for classic jazz numbers, the two began playing together and ultimately writing and recording together. Known for his production and keyboard work, Kurstin has worked with the artists Lily Allen, Kylie Minogue, Beck, The Flaming Lips and the Red Hot Chili Pepper, and is member of the alternative rock band Geggy Tah. The first fruit of the duo’s collaboration was the four-track EP “Again and Again and Again and Again” issued by Blue Note Records in October 2006. The record spawned the single “Fucking Boyfriend”, which became the No. 1 Billboard Hot Dance Club Play single and earned a remix from electronic musician Peaches.
The duo’s debut self-titled full-length arrived in January 2007 to positive reviews from the critical press. The record was supported by a tour opening for English singer Lily Allen and was proceeded by the Christmas single “Carol for the Bells” in November 2007. With the increased exposure afforded the group, they released the EPs “Please Clap Your Hands” in 2006 “One Too Many Hearts” in 2008 – to coincide with Valentine’s day. Both were released by Blue Note, with the latter four-track EP featuring the Billy Rose penned standard “Tonight You Belong to Me”.
The Bird and the Bee’s sophomore full-length “Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future” arrived in 2009 spawning the singles “Love Letter to Japan”, “My Love”, and “Diamond Dave”. Once again earning favourable reviews the record charted at No. 78 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Billboard Heatseekers chart. To promote the album George and Kurstin appeared on NBC’s “The Tonight Show” and ABC’s "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", and embarked on a 10-date national tour. A compilation of Hall & Oates covers entitled “Interpreting he Masters Volume 1: A Tribute to Daryl Hall and John Oates” was issued in March 2010. A second Christmas single “Wishes” arrived in 2011, followed by a collaboration with the National’s Matt Berninger for the 2014 “Endless Love” soundtrack entitled “All Our Endless Love”.
Live reviews
The Bird and The Bee, as the name suggests, are a musical duo, from Los Angeles. They make indie pop. They formed in 2006, but in recent years, they’ve probably been overshadowed by the incredibly impressive work that Greg Kurstin - ‘the bee’ - has been doing elsewhere; just this year alone, he’s produced records by Sia, Lily Allen and Lykke Lu, and his other recent work involves sitting behind the desks for albums including The Shins’ Port of Morrow, Katy Perry’s Prism and the album that, for my money, is the finest pop record for many a long year, Heartthrob by Tegan and Sara. Accordingly, his busy schedule elsewhere has curtailed his work with ‘the bird’ Inara George, with their last original album, Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future, dropping in early 2009. They haven’t toured since 2010, when they released a Hall and Oates cover album, but when they did, it was actually Kurstin who took a back seat; relegated largely to instrumental duty, George instead was front and centre, an alluringly energetic performer who’s sheer vocal flexibility really has to be seen to be believed; she sounds as good on stage as on record, so hope for some UK dates when Kurstin finally finds time away from acting as super-producer.
The Bird & The Bee was probably one of the most unforgettable and fantastic shows I have ever been to. The Teragram Ballroom just made it that much better with beautiful abstract lighting, to the greatest aucostics I have ever heard. Inara and Greg were amazing! The show said it started at eight but the opening act didn't come on till around 9, but that is concerts for yah!! This concert lasted till about 11, filled with many well known songs as well as obscure ones only the fans would know. 10/10 would DEFINITELY go back any day of the week!
The show (Teragram Ballroom - Los Angeles, CA - 7/9/2016) opened with How Deep Is Your Love and it perfectly set the mood for the entire show. Such a talent up on one stage; it’s obvious that the band members enjoy working with one another and there is an ease in their partnership. They played a great set mixed with older classics and newer songs as well.