When Q And Not U disbanded in 2005, drummer John Davis turned to his
singer-songwriter friend, Laura Burhenn, to forge something new. At
first the two seemed like an unlikely pair. John had spent the past
seven years releasing records with his bandmates on Dischord and
touring the world. Laura, on the other hand, had been releasing solo
projects on her own label, Laboratory Records, and playing smaller
venues on the east coast and in L.A. How could they find common
ground?
When the two met to discuss the possibility of playing together, they
talked about all the music they first fell in love with. Turns out
there was a lot of overlap. Taking those inspirations and an open mind
into a practice space in NE Washington D.C., the duo went to work.
John went back and forth between drums and guitar; Laura worked at the
Fender Rhodes. Six hours and some new songs later, they were certain:
not only could this work, it would -- and even better than either of
them had anticipated.
The practice and writing sessions at Brookland Studios (the D.C.
Community Arts Center that houses the Georgie James practice space)
turned out a slew of songs, all strong on melody and harmonies. The
two weren't sure what to call what they'd created. If they could
invent one songwriter with all of the characteristics of their
favorite writers, what would that person's name be? They agreed on
something a little androgynous, a little bit glam: Georgie James.
Recording some tracks with Chad Clark (Beauty Pill) and TJ Lipple
(Aloha) at Silver Sonya Studio and the rest at their practice space,
demos of the first seven Georgie James songs were finished in November
of 2005. Released in a limited run to only sell at shows, Demos at
Dance Place was, albeit unofficial, the band's first release.
In late summer 2006, Georgie James entered Silver Sonya Studio to
record its debut full-length, again with the help of Chad Clark and TJ
Lipple. Upon completion of the album that fall, two songs from the
record, "Need Your Needs" and "Cake Parade," were picked for the
band's first proper release, a single that was released on Laboratory
Records in February 2007.
"Need Your Needs" serves as the title of the single and, along with
"Cake Parade," the single is rounded out by a cover of "El Condor Pasa
(If I Could)," the Peruvian folk song that Simon & Garfunkel refitted
and reintroduced back in 1970. These three songs provide a glimpse at
the spectrum of music that Georgie James creates. "Need Your Needs,"
which looks equally to Chic, The Cowsills and Cheap Trick for
inspiration; "Cake Parade," a song where the music's devotion to The
White Album and K-Tel compilations belies the gravity of the lyrics;
"El Condor Pasa (If I Could)" is the band at its barest. Recorded live
in the studio as Burhenn sat at a piano and Davis sat with his guitar,
the spare arrangement highlights the glory of the original composition
as well as the joy in making music and singing songs.
In May 2007, Georgie James signed with Saddle Creek Records. Saddle
Creek issued Georgie James' debut album, Places, on September 25,
2007. The band toured through North America and Europe to support the album.
In August 2008, Georgie James came to an end and John and Laura moved on to new things. John has a new band called Title Tracks and Laura has a new band, The Mynabirds. Saddle Creek will release The Mynabirds' debut album on April 27, 2010. Thanks to all who supported us.
