LA.CityZine brings you artist, Inara George, as part of our Know Your LA Bands series. Inara is both a solo artist and part of a band and very well known for both individual and collaborative projects. Her 2006 solo album, All Rise, was a hit and her band, The Bird and the Bee, with Greg Kurstin has gotten much critical acclaim for their jazz influenced electro-pop sound. Although her work with Greg has been light, fun and undeniably catchy, Inara’s solo music has always had a deeper, richer and enchanting resonance for listeners. This couldn’t be truer with her latest solo album, An Invitation. If Inara’s angelic voice and out of the box compositions weren’t already magical enough, renowned composer/arranger/producer/musician/singer and dear friend, Van Dyke Parks joined forces with her to arrange heavenly magnificent songs for her voice, strings and the piano. Out August 12th, this album will be a treat for listeners who enjoy the combination of melodramatic, lush, epic melodies and beautifully quirky pop music.
In fact, immerse yourself into this wonderland with Inara and Van Dyke, themselves, as they play at Largo At the Coronet this coming Monday, August 11th. At 8:30pm, the record release party will begin and you can still get tickets here. It’s just few days away! Below is an interview LA.CityZine had the pleasure of doing with the talented Inara. Please enjoy it as much as we did and we’ll see you there at the party!
Could you give a brief description of your music?
Eek… that is always the hardest question. I can tell you it’s not rock.
You grew up in a musical family. Has your dad’s music had any influences on your music today?
I’m sure it’s in there somewhere. I don’t think you can actually hear it my music, but I do like to write music that is a little less conventional. Use chord progressions and rhythms that are more challenging. Not to say that I have I come close to my father’s skills in that department, but I do think I get some of that from him.
The Bird and the Bee is also a really well known band and becoming a favorite, especially in LA. How did you (the bird) and Greg (the bee) meet?
We met while recording my first solo record.
What can we expect next from The Bird and the Bee?
We just finished a new record and mastered it this week. I believe it will be coming out in the new year.
I understand you brought in Van Dyke Parks for your latest solo album, An Invitation. How did this team-up come about?
Van Dyke and I have known each other since I was born and we have worked together on a few things throughout the years. But I think we had always wanted to do something more substantial… and it seemed like the right time…
A couple of your songs have been featured in Grey’s Anatomy. Do you watch the show? If so, how do you feel when you hear your song in an episode?
I do watch the show. Not religiously, but I always like to see it when I can. So I have seen a few episodes with my music on it… and it’s always fun.
According to your MySpace page, you have too many band members to count. If I asked you to count all of them right now, how many people are there? What do they all play?
See, I’m not going to do that… because my fear is that I will forget someone. There have been a lot in the past years. Right now… Van Dyke is playing piano with me, Grant Geissman on guitar and mandolin, and Joe Karnes on Bass.
What was the last song you played on your iPod?
“Gea” by Mia Doi Todd.
Give us three songs you would include in a mix tape with the theme of “Enchantment.”
“Eleni” - Charlie Wadhams, “She Belongs to Me” - Bob Dylan, and “The Kiss” - Judee Sill.
Do you prefer gearing up for a tour or coming home from one?
They both have their ups and downs. Leaving for tour is more like leaving for a trip. I always prefer to pack than unpack. But coming home feels great….it’s so comforting.
What’s your most memorable on the road story?
The road is kinda of like one long inside joke. If I told you the best story it might not be funny to you.
How do you get ready for a show?
I have a glass of white wine.
What’s your favorite song to play live and why?
At the moment Van Dyke and I have been playing the Harry Nilsson song, “He Needs Me,” from the Popeye movie. I love singing that.
If you could rid the world of one song, what would it be?
Not to get too hippy about it, but I’d rather not rid the world of any song. Because somebody loves it.
What would be the best piece of advice you could give someone who is trying to break into the music business?
I suppose, really make sure that you want to do it, and if so, then just keep making music.
Where is your favorite place to shop in LA?
Whole Foods. I know, it sounds so weird and kind of bourgeois. I just enjoy grocery shopping and everything there is so nice.
Where is your favorite place to see a band play in LA?
The Hollywood Bowl.
What’s the best cure for a hangover?
Sleep.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
America’s Next Top Model.
What would be your perfect LA day?
A morning hike in Griffith Park with some girlfriends and breakfast at Trails. And after that… I’m game for anything.
Tell us one thing about yourself we probably don’t already know.
My brothers called me “hound dog” when I was little because I cried all the time.
Photography courtesy of Autumn DeWilde
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1 Eventful LA: Bollywood, Politics, Inara George, “and Your Little Dog, Too” | LA.CityZine.com - Los Angeles // Aug 11, 2008 at 10:01 am
[...] the lovely Inara George - one-half of The Bird and The Bee and frequent collaborator (read more here) - will be releasing her sophomore album, An Invitation, and performing a few sets with legendary [...]
2 Music Tonight: DJ AM, Inara George, Love Grenades | LA.CityZine.com - Los Angeles // Aug 11, 2008 at 12:01 pm
[...] and ticket info… or lack thereof! One more thing - Don’t forget that our friend, Inara George, is having her record release party tonight at [...]
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