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AlunaGeorge

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AlunaGeorge
Aluna Francis of AlunaGeorge performing in June 2016 at Scala in London
Aluna Francis of AlunaGeorge performing in June 2016 at Scala in London
Background information
OriginLondon, England
Genres
Years active2012–present
Labels
Members
  • Aluna Francis
  • George Reid
Websitealunageorge.com

AlunaGeorge are an English electronic music duo from London, consisting of singer-songwriter Aluna Francis and producer George Reid.[1]

Career

2009: Formation

The duo first met in June 2009, when Reid remixed Francis' band My Toys Like Me's track "Sweetheart".[2][3]

2012–2015: Breakthrough and Body Music

AlunaGeorge released the single "You Know You Like It" as a digital download on 20 April 2012, followed by a vinyl release on 11 June 2012. The duo's first commercial single, "Your Drums, Your Love", was released on 10 September 2012, debuting at number 50 on the UK Singles Chart.[4][5] During a visit to BBC Radio 1 on 3 January 2013, AlunaGeorge announced that their debut album would be titled Body Music and released in June 2013, along with the premiere of the full-length version of the song "Diver".[6][7] On 4 June 2013, the duo unveiled the cover art and track listing for Body Music, and confirmed the album would be released on 29 July 2013.[8]

It was announced in December 2012 that AlunaGeorge had been shortlisted for the 2013 BRIT Award of Critics' Choice.[9] Then, later in December, the BBC announced that the duo had also been nominated for the Sound of 2013 poll, in which they finished in second place.[10]

In February 2013, AlunaGeorge scored their first top-40 entry, a collaboration with Disclosure on "White Noise". The single reached number two on the UK Singles Chart. Huw Stephens also premiered a track from the group on his BBC Radio 1 show titled "Attracting Flies", which was eventually included on their debut album.[11] The duo performed at the Evolution Festival in Newcastle upon Tyne on 27 May 2013.

A collection of previously released and brand new remixes, Body Music Remixed, was released on 16 June 2014.[12] On 3 October 2014 AlunaGeorge released a single called "Supernatural".[13]

On 14 July 2015, it was announced that AlunaGeorge had signed with the American record label Interscope Records.[14]

2016–present

The duo released the single "I'm in Control", featuring Jamaican artist Popcaan, on 20 January 2016.[15] That same day, Francis revealed in an interview with BBC Radio 1's Annie Mac that the duo's second studio album was titled I Remember, which was set to be released on 16 September 2016 via Island Records in the UK and Interscope Records in the US.[15][16] AlunaGeorge was an opening act with Miguel for the North American Arena tour of Australian star Sia.[17] The Nostalgic for the Present Tour ran through November 2016.

In 2017, AlunaGeorge was the main opening act for the European leg of A Head Full of Dreams Tour of the band Coldplay.[18]

In 2020, Aluna announced that she would be releasing music as a solo artist. Her first single, 'Body Pump', was released on 30 April 2020. In an interview with The Forty-Five[19] Aluna stated that AlunaGeorge was not over but "there started to be certain musical and lyrical areas that felt awkward to do in a duo, because they were so singularly from my culture and my perspective".

Artistry

Aluna's vocals have been described as "almost child-like" as well as being called "sugar sweet" and "emotionally soulful and heartwarming too". George's production combines sounds from bass, garage and dubstep.[20]

The band use techniques of R&B and use "futuristic pop". The musical style has been described as "advanced minimalistic polyrhythmic beats" as well as "bashment, experimental hip-hop, '90's R&B and house". The duo cite inspiration from artists including Flying Lotus, Chris Clark, Hudson Mohawke, Destiny's Child and Mariah Carey; the band also cite James Taylor, Van Morrison, Aaliyah, PJ Harvey, CocoRosie as references.[21]

Members

Aluna Francis

Aluna Francis was born in London in July 1988 to a Belizean mother and a Tanzanian-English father. Her name “Aluna” means “come here” in the Mwera dialect of Tanzania, “pupil” in Portuguese and “Mother Earth” in Mayan.[22] Before working in the music industry, Francis worked as a reflexologist.[23] Francis' first venture into the music industry came when she sang in a group called My Toys Like Me.[2] In July 2019 Francis announced that she was expecting a child by the end of the year. On 17 November 2019 Francis announced via Instagram that she had given birth to a girl named Amaya.

Aluna released a solo album, Renaissance on 28 August 2020 through Mad Decent.[24]

George Reid

George Reid was born in 1989. Reid was previously a guitarist in indie-math rock band Colour. He has cited minimal American hip hop by The Neptunes, as well as Lil Wayne, as inspirations. Reid has said his approach to music-making stems from it being "so easy to get lost in software, you get to a point where so many noises might be carrying the song, rather than the song carrying everything else. So that’s my excuse for having nothing in there."[2]

Discography

Main article: AlunaGeorge discography

Awards

Year Award Category Work Result
2013 BRIT Awards Critics' Choice[9] Nominated
BBC Sound of 2013[10] Second
MOBO Awards Best Video in association with SBTV Attracting Flies Nominated
Best Song in Association with PRS for Music White Noise Nominated
Popjustice £20 Music Prize Best British Pop Single Nominated
UK Festival Awards Anthem of the Summer Nominated
2014 BRIT Awards Song of the Year Nominated
World Music Awards World's Best Song Nominated
2015 NME Awards Best Track Won
2016 Billboard Music Awards Top Dance/Electronic Song You Know You Like It Nominated

References

  1. ^ Lester, Paul (8 March 2011). "New band of the day – No 977: AlunaGeorge". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  2. ^ a b c "Dynamic duo... introducing AlunaGeorge". London Evening Standard. 28 September 2012. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  3. ^ "My toys like me Sweetheart RMX". Myspace. 3 June 2009. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  4. ^ "Your Drums, Your Love (Remixes) – EP by AlunaGeorge". iTunes Store (GB). 10 September 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  5. ^ Peak chart positions in the United Kingdom:
  6. ^ Williott, Carl (3 January 2013). "AlunaGeorge Unveil Debut Album Title 'Body Music' & Full Version Of "Diver"". Idolator. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  7. ^ "AlunaGeorge – 'Diver'". Popjustice. 3 January 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  8. ^ Minsker, Evan; Phillips, Amy (4 June 2013). "AlunaGeorge Reveal Body Music Cover Art, Tracklist, New Release Date". Pitchfork. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  9. ^ a b "Brits Critics' Choice tips three new acts for 2013". BBC News Online. 6 December 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  10. ^ a b "Sound of 2013 Profile: AlunaGeorge". BBC. 10 December 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  11. ^ Battan, Carrie (26 February 2013). "Listen: New AlunaGeorge Track "Attracting Flies"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  12. ^ Soundcloud, Cosmo's Midnight (DJ) (3 June 2014). "AlunaGeorge - Superstar (Cosmo's Midnight x Lido Remix), taken from the upcoming AlunaGeorge album 'Body Music Remixed' which was released on June 16th, 2014". Soundcloud. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  13. ^ Gordon, Jeremy (3 October 2014). "AlunaGeorge Share New Track "Supernatural"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  14. ^ Geslani, Michelle (14 July 2015). "AlunaGeorge signs with Interscope, announces North American tour". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  15. ^ a b Minsker, Evan (20 January 2016). "AlunaGeorge Release Popcaan-Featuring Single "I'm In Control"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
  16. ^ Minsker, Evan (13 July 2016). "AlunaGeorge Detail New Album I Remember". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
  17. ^ Josephs, Brian. "Sia Announces U.S. Tour With Miguel and AlunaGeorge". Spin.com. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  18. ^ "Coldplay / AlunaGeorge / Izzy Bizu Rogers Centre, Toronto ON, August 22". exclaim.ca. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
  19. ^ Williams, Jenessa (3 June 2020). "Aluna interview: "I want to head up dance music and reclaim space for black women"". The Forty Five. Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  20. ^ Davies, Howell (13 December 2012). "Introducing: AlunaGeorge". The Edge. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  21. ^ "AlunaGeorge's biography at amazingtunes.com". Alunageorge.amazingtunes.com. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
  22. ^ https://scala.co.uk/events/alunageorge/
  23. ^ "BBC Music - BBC Music Sound Of, 2013 - 2. AlunaGeorge". BBC. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  24. ^ Legaspi, Althea (15 July 2020). "Aluna Previews 'Renaissance' LP with New Song 'Get Paid'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
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