Pat Marquez
06/20/06, 09:51 AM
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's best punk and rock venues. Laura, on the other hand, had been releasing solo projects [think Beth Gibbons meets Leonard Cohen and they share a drink at the piano with Nina Simone] on her own label, Laboratory Records, and playing smaller venues on the east coast and in LA. 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. It turns out there was a lot of overlap. They decided to take their first music loves and an open mind into a practice space at in northeast D.C. John went back and forth between drums and acoustic and electric 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 Dance Place turned out a slew of songs, all strong on melody and outfitted with '70s-style harmonies. The two weren't sure what to call what they'd created. If they could hand-make one songwriter with all of the characteristics of their favorite writers, what would his name be? They agreed on something a little androgynous, a little bit glam: Georgie James.
Recording with Chad Clark [Beauty Pill] and TJ Lipple [Aloha] at Inner Ear Studio, "Demos at Dance Place" was finished in November of 2005. The demos feature the first seven songs written by the duo, ranging in style from buoyant, dancey rock ["Need Your Needs", "Places"] to folk harmonies ["Hard Feelings"] that channel some of the best stuff from the 60's, 70's and beyond.
Georgie James is currently writing more songs for a forthcoming full-length album. You can give a listen to several tracks from the band via their myspace page: www.myspace.com/georgiejames and check them out on tour:
07.06 - Allston, MA - Great Scott
07.07 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
07.08 - Philadelphia, PA - North Star
07.09 - Washington, DC - Black Cat
07.11 - Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
07.12 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl
07.13 - Memphis, TN - Hi Tone Cafe
07.14 - Dallas, TX - Gypsy Tea Room
07.15 - Austin, TX - Emo's
07.17 - Tucson, AZ - Plush
07.18 - San Diego, CA - Casbah
07.19 - Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour
07.20 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
07.22 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
07.23 - Seattle, WA - Neumo's
07.27 - Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theater
07.28 - Chicago, IL - Logan Square Auditorium
07.29 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
07.30 - Newport, KY - Southgate House
When the two met to discuss the possibility of playing together, they talked about all the music they first fell in love with. It turns out there was a lot of overlap. They decided to take their first music loves and an open mind into a practice space at in northeast D.C. John went back and forth between drums and acoustic and electric 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 Dance Place turned out a slew of songs, all strong on melody and outfitted with '70s-style harmonies. The two weren't sure what to call what they'd created. If they could hand-make one songwriter with all of the characteristics of their favorite writers, what would his name be? They agreed on something a little androgynous, a little bit glam: Georgie James.
Recording with Chad Clark [Beauty Pill] and TJ Lipple [Aloha] at Inner Ear Studio, "Demos at Dance Place" was finished in November of 2005. The demos feature the first seven songs written by the duo, ranging in style from buoyant, dancey rock ["Need Your Needs", "Places"] to folk harmonies ["Hard Feelings"] that channel some of the best stuff from the 60's, 70's and beyond.
Georgie James is currently writing more songs for a forthcoming full-length album. You can give a listen to several tracks from the band via their myspace page: www.myspace.com/georgiejames and check them out on tour:
07.06 - Allston, MA - Great Scott
07.07 - New York, NY - Bowery Ballroom
07.08 - Philadelphia, PA - North Star
07.09 - Washington, DC - Black Cat
07.11 - Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
07.12 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl
07.13 - Memphis, TN - Hi Tone Cafe
07.14 - Dallas, TX - Gypsy Tea Room
07.15 - Austin, TX - Emo's
07.17 - Tucson, AZ - Plush
07.18 - San Diego, CA - Casbah
07.19 - Los Angeles, CA - Troubadour
07.20 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
07.22 - Portland, OR - Doug Fir Lounge
07.23 - Seattle, WA - Neumo's
07.27 - Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theater
07.28 - Chicago, IL - Logan Square Auditorium
07.29 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
07.30 - Newport, KY - Southgate House