AlunaGeorge
AlunaGeorge are an English electronic music duo from London, consisting of singer-songwriter Aluna Francis and producer George Reid.[1]
AlunaGeorge | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Origin | London, England |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Labels | |
| Members |
|
| Website | alunageorge |
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, Francis 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] Francis 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".
In 2023, Francis featured on the Skrillex track 'INHALE EXHALE' alongside Kito.[20]
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.[21]
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.[22]
Members
Aluna Francis
Aluna Francis was born in Wales in July 1988 to a Jamaican father and an Indian mother. After her parents separated, she was raised in New Jersey and London.[23][24] Her name “Aluna” means “come here” in the Mwera dialect of Tanzania, “pupil” in Portuguese and “Mother Earth” in Mayan.[25] Before working in the music industry, Francis worked as a reflexologist.[26] Francis' first venture into the music industry came when she sang in a group called My Toys Like Me.[2] In 2013, Francis appeared as a panellist on the BBC music game show Never Mind the Buzzcocks.[27] In July 2019, Francis announced that she was expecting a child by the end of the year Francis announced on 17 November 2019 via Instagram that she had given birth to a girl named Amaya.
Francis released a solo album, Renaissance on 28 August 2020 through Mad Decent.[28] In January 2022, Francis teamed up with Diplo and Italian producer Durante[29] for an indie-dance single called “Forget About Me”.[30][31]
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
- Body Music (2013)
- I Remember (2016)
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
- ^ Lester, Paul (8 March 2011). "New band of the day – No 977: AlunaGeorge". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
- ^ a b c . London Evening Standard. 28 September 2012. Archived from the original on 4 October 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
- ^ "My toys like me Sweetheart RMX". Myspace. 3 June 2009. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
- ^ "Your Drums, Your Love (Remixes) – EP by AlunaGeorge". iTunes Store (GB). 10 September 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
- ^ Peak chart positions in the United Kingdom:
- All except noted: "AlunaGeorge". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
- "You Know You Like It" (with DJ Snake): "DJ Snake & AlunaGeorge". Official Charts Company.
- "After Light": "CHART: CLUK Update 18.08.2012 (wk32)". Zobbel. 18 August 2012.
- "I Remember": "CHART: CLUK Update 16.04.2016 (wk15)". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
- ^ Williott, Carl (3 January 2013). "AlunaGeorge Unveil Debut Album Title 'Body Music' & Full Version Of "Diver"". Idolator. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
- ^ "AlunaGeorge – 'Diver'". Popjustice. 3 January 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
- ^ Minsker, Evan; Phillips, Amy (4 June 2013). "AlunaGeorge Reveal Body Music Cover Art, Tracklist, New Release Date". Pitchfork. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
- ^ a b "Brits Critics' Choice tips three new acts for 2013". BBC News Online. 6 December 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
- ^ a b "Sound of 2013 Profile: AlunaGeorge". BBC. 10 December 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
- ^ Battan, Carrie (26 February 2013). "Listen: New AlunaGeorge Track "Attracting Flies"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Gordon, Jeremy (3 October 2014). "AlunaGeorge Share New Track "Supernatural"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
- ^ Geslani, Michelle (14 July 2015). "AlunaGeorge signs with Interscope, announces North American tour". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
- ^ a b Minsker, Evan (20 January 2016). "AlunaGeorge Release Popcaan-Featuring Single "I'm In Control"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 28 February 2016.
- ^ Minsker, Evan (13 July 2016). "AlunaGeorge Detail New Album I Remember". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2 September 2016.
- ^ Josephs, Brian (16 May 2016). "Sia Announces U.S. Tour With Miguel and AlunaGeorge". Spin.com. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
- ^ "Coldplay / AlunaGeorge / Izzy Bizu Rogers Centre, Toronto ON, August 22". exclaim.ca. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Skrillex, Aluna & Kito – Inhale Exhale, retrieved 17 February 2023
- ^ Davies, Howell (13 December 2012). "Introducing: AlunaGeorge". The Edge. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
- ^ "AlunaGeorge's biography at amazingtunes.com". Alunageorge.amazingtunes.com. Retrieved 6 August 2013.
- ^ Gracie, Bianca (1 September 2020). "Aluna Doesn't Want to Be the Exception to Any Rule". Vulture. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
- ^ Hess, Liam (8 February 2021). "How Aluna Found Her Renaissance in Dance Music's Queer Black History". Vogue. Retrieved 25 February 2021.
- ^ "AlunaGeorge". 18 May 2016.
- ^ "BBC Music - BBC Music Sound Of, 2013 - 2. AlunaGeorge". BBC. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
- ^ "BBC Two - Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Series 27, Episode 1".
- ^ Legaspi, Althea (15 July 2020). "Aluna Previews 'Renaissance' LP with New Song 'Get Paid'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
- ^ "New Music Friday: Avril Lavigne, Bastille, Years & Years & More!". 14 January 2022.
- ^ "Aluna, Diplo & Durante - 'Forget About Me'". 14 January 2022.
- ^ "Aluna has dropped a new collab with Diplo and Durante, 'Forget About Me' | Dork". 14 January 2022.
External links
- Official website