AlunaGeorgeare an Englishelectronic musicduo fromLondon,consisting of singer-songwriter Aluna Francis and producer George Reid.[1]Since 2020, the duo has been on indefinite hiatus, allowing both members to pursue solo projects.[2]
AlunaGeorge | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | London,England |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2011–2022[a] |
| Labels | |
| Members |
|
| Website | alunageorge |
Career
edit2009: Formation
editThe duo first met in June 2009, when Reid remixed Francis' bandMy Toys Like Me's track "Sweetheart".[3][4]
2012–2016: Breakthrough andBody Music
editAlunaGeorge 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 theUK Singles Chart.[5][6]During a visit toBBC Radio 1on 3 January 2013, AlunaGeorge announced that their debut album would be titledBody Musicand released in June 2013, along with the premiere of the full-length version of the song "Diver".[7][8]On 4 June 2013, the duo unveiled the cover art and track listing forBody Music,and confirmed the album would be released on 29 July 2013.[9]
It was announced in December 2012 that AlunaGeorge had been shortlisted for the2013 BRIT Awardof Critics' Choice.[10]Then, later in December, theBBCannounced that the duo had also been nominated for theSound of 2013poll, in which they finished in second place.[11]
In February 2013, AlunaGeorge scored their first top-40 entry, a collaboration withDisclosureon "White Noise".The single reached number two on theUK Singles Chart.Huw Stephensalso premiered a track from the group on hisBBC Radio 1show titled "Attracting Flies",which was eventually included on their debut album.[12]The duo performed at the Evolution Festival inNewcastle upon Tyneon 27 May 2013.
A collection of previously released and brand new remixes,Body Music Remixed,was released on 16 June 2014.[13]On 3 October 2014 AlunaGeorge released a single called "Supernatural".[14]
On 14 July 2015, it was announced that AlunaGeorge had signed with the American record labelInterscope Records.[15]
The duo released the single "I'm in Control", featuring Jamaican artistPopcaan,on 20 January 2016.[16]That same day, Francis revealed in an interview with BBC Radio 1'sAnnie Macthat the duo's second studio album was titledI Remember,which was set to be released on 16 September 2016 via Island Records in the UK and Interscope Records in the US.[16][17]AlunaGeorge was an opening act withMiguelfor the North American Arena tour of Australian starSia.[18]The Nostalgic for the Present Tourran through November 2016.
2017–present: Indefinite hiatus and solo careers
editIn 2017, AlunaGeorge was the main opening act for the European leg ofA Head Full of Dreams Tourof the bandColdplay.[19]
In 2020, AlunaGeorge was put on an indefinite hiatus, as Francis announced that she would be releasing music as a solo artist.[20]Francis stated that AlunaGeorge was "definitely still going" and is "on hiatus rather than being over".[2]Her first single, "Body Pump", was released on 30 April 2020.[21]This was followed by her debut solo albumRenaissance,which released on 28 August 2020.[22]
In 2023, Francis featured on theSkrillextrack "Inhale Exhale"alongside Kito.[23]Later that year, on 7 July, Francis released her second albumMYCELiUM.The big promotional track from the album "Running Blind" featuringTchamiandKareen Lomaxcounts as her first solo number one on Billboard's Dance Mix/Show Airplay chart as of the week charted October 14, 2023.[24][25]
Artistry
editAluna'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.[26]
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 includingFlying Lotus,Chris Clark,Hudson Mohawke,Destiny's ChildandMariah Carey;the band also citeJames Taylor,Van Morrison,Aaliyah,PJ Harvey,CocoRosieas references.[27]
Members
editAluna Francis
editAluna Francis was born inWalesin July 1988 to a Jamaican father and an Indian mother. After her parents separated, she was raised in New Jersey and London.[28][29]Her name “Aluna” means “come here” in theMwera dialectofTanzania,“pupil” inPortugueseand “Mother Earth” inMayan.[30]Before working in the music industry, Francis worked as areflexologist.[31]Francis' first venture into the music industry came when she sang in a group calledMy Toys Like Me.[3]In 2013, Francis appeared as a panellist on the BBC music game showNever Mind the Buzzcocks.[32]In July 2019, Francis announced that she was expecting a child by the end of the year. Francis announced on 17 November 2019 viaInstagramthat she had given birth to a girl named Amaya.
Francis released a solo album,Renaissanceon 28 August 2020 throughMad Decent.[33]In January 2022, Francis teamed up with Diplo and Italian producer Durante[34]for an indie-dance single called “Forget About Me”.[35][36]In 2023, Francis featured on theSkrillextrack "Inhale Exhale"alongside Kito.[23]Later that year, on 7 July, Francis released her sophomore album, titledMYCELiUM,featuring collaborations with producers such asRoute 94,MNEK,Tchami,MK,andChris Lake.[24]
George Reid
editGeorge Reid was born in 1989. Reid was previously aguitaristinindie-math rockband Colour. He has citedminimalAmericanhip hopbyThe Neptunes,as well asLil 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."[3]
Discography
edit- Body Music(2013)
- I Remember(2016)
Awards
edit| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | BRIT Awards | Critics' Choice[10] | Nominated | |
| BBC | Sound of 2013[11] | 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 |
Notes
edit- ^Indefinite hiatus
References
edit- ^Lester, Paul(8 March 2011)."New band of the day – No 977: AlunaGeorge".The Guardian.Retrieved2 September2016.
- ^abDaly, Rhian (5 June 2020)."Aluna on making music without George:" I felt self-conscious trying to drag him through my own self-discovery "".NME.Retrieved18 September2023.
- ^abc"Dynamic duo... introducing AlunaGeorge".London Evening Standard.28 September 2012. Archived fromthe originalon 4 October 2012.Retrieved10 December2012.
- ^"My toys like me Sweetheart RMX".Myspace.3 June 2009.Retrieved10 December2012.
- ^"Your Drums, Your Love (Remixes) – EP by AlunaGeorge".iTunes Store(GB). 10 September 2012.Retrieved10 December2012.
- ^Peak chart positions in the United Kingdom:
- All except noted:"AlunaGeorge".Official Charts Company.Retrieved28 February2016.
- "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.Retrieved30 April2016.
- ^Williott, Carl (3 January 2013)."AlunaGeorge Unveil Debut Album Title 'Body Music' & Full Version Of" Diver "".Idolator.Retrieved4 January2013.
- ^"AlunaGeorge – 'Diver'".Popjustice.3 January 2013.Retrieved4 January2013.
- ^Minsker, Evan; Phillips, Amy (4 June 2013)."AlunaGeorge RevealBody MusicCover Art, Tracklist, New Release Date ".Pitchfork.Retrieved4 June2013.
- ^ab"Brits Critics' Choice tips three new acts for 2013".BBC News Online.6 December 2012.Retrieved10 December2012.
- ^ab"Sound of 2013 Profile: AlunaGeorge".BBC. 10 December 2012.Retrieved10 December2012.
- ^Battan, Carrie (26 February 2013)."Listen: New AlunaGeorge Track" Attracting Flies "".Pitchfork.Retrieved26 February2013.
- ^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.Retrieved3 June2014.
- ^Gordon, Jeremy (3 October 2014)."AlunaGeorge Share New Track" Supernatural "".Pitchfork.Retrieved28 February2016.
- ^Geslani, Michelle (14 July 2015)."AlunaGeorge signs with Interscope, announces North American tour".Consequence of Sound.Retrieved13 August2015.
- ^abMinsker, Evan (20 January 2016)."AlunaGeorge Release Popcaan-Featuring Single" I'm In Control "".Pitchfork.Retrieved28 February2016.
- ^Minsker, Evan (13 July 2016)."AlunaGeorge Detail New AlbumI Remember".Pitchfork.Retrieved2 September2016.
- ^Josephs, Brian (16 May 2016)."Sia Announces U.S. Tour With Miguel and AlunaGeorge".Spin.com.Retrieved1 October2016.
- ^"Coldplay / AlunaGeorge / Izzy Bizu Rogers Centre, Toronto ON, August 22".exclaim.ca.Retrieved31 December2017.
- ^Méndez, Chris Malone."Aluna's Musical Renaissance Is Complete".Forbes.Retrieved18 September2023.
- ^"Aluna Shares Debut Solo Song" Body Pump "".Pitchfork.30 April 2020.Retrieved18 September2023.
- ^"Aluna: Renaissance".Pitchfork.Retrieved18 September2023.
- ^abSkrillex, Aluna & Kito – Inhale Exhale,retrieved17 February2023
- ^abMéndez, Chris Malone."Aluna Returns With Sophomore AlbumMycelium".Forbes.Retrieved18 September2023.
- ^"Dance/Mix Show Airplay".Billboard.
- ^Davies, Howell (13 December 2012)."Introducing: AlunaGeorge".The Edge.Retrieved6 August2013.
- ^"AlunaGeorge's biography at amazingtunes.com".Alunageorge.amazingtunes.com.Retrieved6 August2013.
- ^Gracie, Bianca (1 September 2020)."Aluna Doesn't Want to Be the Exception to Any Rule".Vulture.Retrieved29 November2021.
- ^Hess, Liam (8 February 2021)."How Aluna Found Her Renaissance in Dance Music's Queer Black History".Vogue.Retrieved25 February2021.
- ^"AlunaGeorge".18 May 2016.
- ^"BBC Music - BBC Music Sound Of, 2013 - 2. AlunaGeorge".BBC.Retrieved21 March2020.
- ^"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.Retrieved28 July2020.
- ^"New Music Friday: Avril Lavigne, Bastille, Years & Years & More!".14 January 2022. Archived fromthe originalon 14 January 2022.Retrieved14 January2022.
- ^"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.