Inara George und The Bird and the Bee

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”.