Interview with the Bird and the Bee
(photo by Jazmin Million via MySpace)
The Bird and the Bee are hitting the road this spring, taking their unique blend of jazz and tropicalia influenced dance music across the country to support their sophomore effort, Ray Guns are not Just the Future. While there is still no word on whether they will be coming to Minneapolis, hopefully they will repeat last year’s stellar performance at the Varsity Theater. While catching up with them for a little Q&A, Jon Behm tried to plant the idea of a Twin Cities’ show in their heads. We’ll see how it pans out…
Jon Behm: The two of you seem to be immersed in a huge number of side projects—was there a point where you just had to ignore everything else in order to record Ray Guns and then tour to support it?
Inara George: I think we have a very good way of juggling everything.
JB: Your Van Dyke Parks collaboration “An Invitation” was also released just before the Bird and the Bee record—what do you think the biggest difference is between the ways you approached each project?
IG: With “An Invitation” the recording process was a little more old fashioned. We had a chamber orchestra. So most of the music was recorded at Sunset Sound over two days. It makes it necessary for a lot of pre-production work. With the bird and the bee Greg and I work much more on the
spur of the moment.
JB: Your press release states that the Bird and the Bee’s goal is to “make fun music.” Do you feel like this is the driving force in your creative process?
IG: Maybeâ… or rather to have fun making music. But if we can also make fun music, that is a plus.
JB: Is the music as fun to make as it is to listen to?
IG: I think so…
JB: Your musical history is one of the most diverse I have looked into: From playing with Dweezil Zappa at age 12 to performing for Marlon Brando during his lunch breaks. Care to share any memorable stories?
Greg Kurstin: I was really nervous playing for Marlon Brando because he new so much about Jazz Standards. He would call out songs and would hope I knew them. Sometimes they were really obscure.
JB: You also recently appeared on Britney Spears’ album Circus. What’s the biggest difference between working with Spears and with Inara?
GK: For one thing Inara and I work early in the morning and Britney liked to work at night… and I would bring in more finished tracks for Britney to listen to and Inara and I write on the piano more spontaneously. And Inara doesn’t have any paparazzi.
(photo via MySpace)
JB: Last time I saw you perform I was knocked out by your vocal ability. Can you tell us a bit about how you have developed your ability over the years, as well as how you keep your voice in such good shape?
IG: Thank you. I don’t really do much in the way of keeping it in shape except for playing live. That really gets my voice in good condition. While recording the record I realized that we had written a few songs that were
going to be a lot harder to sing live than in the studio… and at first I wasn’t sure I could do it. But I think I’ve worked it out.
JB: Have you gotten any response from “Diamond” David Lee Roth about your ode to him on Rayguns?
IG: We sent the song to him in hopes that it might lure him into making a video with us… but alas he declined. But he did say he liked the song and he sent us a yellow top hat that he wore in the last Van Halen tour… along with a signed photo of him in said hat.
JB: You and I are both recent additions to the dog owning world. How is life with your whippet Dave Leggs coming along?
GK: We love Dave. He’s really funny. He’s definitely the center of attention in the house 24/7.
JB: Bird and the Bee’s touring schedule this Winter still looks pretty limited. Any chance that a Minneapolis show may be added?
GK: Maybe… we love Minneapolis, great audiences and such a great radio station. Whenever we go to the Current we feel like we’re living high on the hog… they have such a nice studio.
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Also: The Bird and the Bee “Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future” Review
