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GEORGE |
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 On this page:
*george Interview (with Nick Stewart, Guitar)
*george Discography (titles available from Whammo)
*george Tour dates
GEORGE - THE WHAMMO INTERVIEW - JUNE 25, 2003
To a jaded, cynical and slightly demented editor like your's truly, george is a musical version of a planetary alignment; the moment all great things - however random - seem to converge and find their place. I guess you could call it Unity, which is a lovely segueway considering this Brisbane act are about to release an album of the same name; the long awaited follow-up to Polyserena, which hypnotised the Australian music-listening public two years ago. So why is this 'unity' of ideas so important? Well, there are two extremes in music: 1/ visionaries who are devoid of all musical knowledge; and 2/ amazing musicians who wouldn't recognise a good idea if it politely introduced itself to them on the street. Great players are seldom 'cool' or 'now' and the hip acts usually require a few music lessons. George have a natural gift for writing infectious tunes and combine that with a supernatural flair for brilliant musicianship. Their homegrown blend of Jazz, Rock and Pop creates a unique hybrid and fans have commercially validated that fusion in the clearest possible way: by making Polyserena the 8th highest-selling album of 2002 and 3rd highest-selling Australian release of the same year (behind Kylie Minogue's Fever and Kasey Chambers' Barricades & Brickwalls). Here at Whammo, we're a sneaky mob - we openly admit it - and our penchant for manipulation is openly on display below. While interviewing Elixir (featuring Nick and Katie from george) I managed to ask a few questions about the making of Unity which, at that time, was still in its foetal stages. Of course, Nick saw through my fiendish plot but didn't seem to mind. The result of that candid chat from 7 months ago is a snapshot of the band's attitude and intent as they began to craft the songs that would become Unity. With the official releases of the album set for February 20, there's no better time to reveal the philosophy of a band that seem far from daunted by the expectations set by Polyserena.
Whammo: Have you finished writing the new george album already?
Nick: Well, we’ve written all the demos. There’s 50 or so to choose from. We’ve still got two weeks of pre-production with our producer (David Nicholas), selecting the tracks and honing them, getting them about 60% ready and then going into the studio.
Whammo: Now that you’re getting somewhere, do you think you can give us a hint of what the next george album might be like?
Nick: Mm…wow.
Whammo: You’re obviously happy with the 50 demos.
Nick: We’re all very happy with the progress we’ve made as a team, musically. Me and the bass-player have been spending a shit-load of time together, locking in. The other two (Katie and Tyrone) have just been writing and writing, really getting into putting the whole picture together, whereas with Polyserena, it was much more archaic. Ty had written that song and Katie had written that song and Katie and I had put that song together. This time it’s all 5 of us and that will really come across on the record. There are two songs in particular – they don’t actually have names yet, though.
Whammo: Oh, well…make one up now.
Nick: (laughs)
Whammo: You’ve got to do it some time, Nick.
Nick: Okay…Katie’s ‘Song #1’
Whammo: (laughs) Suitable.
Nick: And Ty's ‘Song #2’ (laughs).
Whammo: (laughs) Okay.
Nick: No, what I’ll say is this: it’s a bit rockier, this album.
Whammo: Okay, I would have thought it would be pretty tough to progress after Polyserena.
Nick: There are a lot of those delicate moments on the last album, though. The delicate moments always crescendo into a large rock-ness, whereas with this one, if we’ve got a delicate track, it’s going to stay delicate. If we’ve got a rock track, it will rock for the whole track; not just be delicate at the start and then step it up for a verse two and then rock out for the outro. It’s more along the lines of an album, rather than track to track, this time. It’s way different (to Polyserena) but there's no stigma about album #2. We don’t have that in the george camp. We’re so keen, happy and ready to get into the studio and be doing this. We’re hoping we won’t fall victim to that whole 2nd album syndrome.
Whammo: until you produced the first album, you wouldn’t have been quite sure about the potential...
Nick: ...at all.
Whammo: History tells us that there was a hell of a lot of potential.
Nick: (laughs)
Whammo: At least you know that it has been an organic process in the way you’ve built a following. You did the songs and there wasn’t really any great preconception. If you do that again, you can’t go wrong.
Nick: Exactly. The theory is exactly how you just said it and if we can follow that, then we’ve been true to ourselves and our fans. That’s all you can hope for.
Whammo: It’s out of control but in a good way. You’re giving a lot of people hope out there, so they can actually stick to their roots and still have a shot at success.
Nick: And just play music.
Whammo: I assume because of the eclectic nature of the influences you put into the music, that you don’t write for a market.
Nick: Ever. Never write for a chart, a market...for anything. If you were like that, you’d go to University, learn how to do it and sit down from 9 to 5 and do it daily; earn your cash that way. Sure, people do that and that’s where techno comes from, sometimes. But songs come when they come. I don’t force any of it and when you get the space and the time and say ‘here’s that song that is in my head’ and plot it all out. Once it’s onto the page I think ‘what vehicle could make this song…sing?’: Elixir or george or something else? That’s when you find its place. You don’t find its place and then write to it. I don’t think that’s ever been the creative process.
Whammo: That means you’ve got the integrity that many other people let go of.
Nick: Yeah, for the cash.
Whammo: Thanks for having a chat, Nick. It’s been cool.
Nick: Thank you. It’s great to talk to someone who’s onto it. |
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UNITY (LTD ED INC. BONUS DVD)
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 GEORGE
Add to basket. Normally ships within 10 days $28.95 (US $17.90) (UK £10.00)
CD AND DVD Region:TBA Format:TBA
I know george's work well enough to play their songs more than once. You see, this established act reveal their magic slowly. It's as if the disc itself was concealing its true beauty, slowly coaxing the listener until, with open ears and undivided attention, you succumb to the fatal blow; a hidden melody, adept garnish or apt lyric; the hook that makes you a fan for life. Polyserena, their brilliant debut was a double platinum success in Australia but regardless of the hunger it created for more tunes, this Brisbane 5-piece patiently crafted the perfect second album over 18 months, choosing 12 standout tracks from over 50 demos. Having mentioned the word 'magic' I feel I've found a theme for george's sound; the concept of 'charm' which can reach the extremes of out-right witchcraft. I do feel like the spell has gripped me after the opening track Falling Inside, a whimsical stroll through a minimal groove, only interrupted by the dramatic sonic bursts that represent the choruses, giving Katie Noonan a chance to stretch her famed vocal chords. It's no wonder she's become everyone's favourite diva. The Noonan family seems to have the unique 'sing like a bird gene' and let's hope no-one ever splices that particular piece of DNA; the natural flair Tyrone and Katie possess should remain a rare gift. Tyrone is in fine form on One, a ditty that lulls you into hypnosis before waking you with furious burst, which display the band's full power. The single, Still Real, is an apt description of the pioneering act; still making music for the love of it, untainted by the adoration of the industry. That precise fusion of jazz sounds, pop mentality and rock power is still intact. Nick Stewart (guitar) clearly stated the intentions of this album in the Whammo interview: "...we’ve been true to ourselves and our fans- that’s all you can hope for". After a few listens to Unity, I can authoritatively say: mission accomplished.
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 GEORGE
Add to basket. Normally ships within 10 days $21.95 (US $13.57) (UK £7.58)
cd
I know george's work well enough to play their songs more than once. You see, this established act reveal their magic slowly. It's as if the disc itself was concealing its true beauty, slowly coaxing the listener until, with open ears and undivided attention, you succumb to the fatal blow; a hidden melody, adept garnish or apt lyric; the hook that makes you a fan for life. Polyserena, their brilliant debut was a double platinum success in Australia but regardless of the hunger it created for more tunes, this Brisbane 5-piece patiently crafted the perfect second album over 18 months, choosing 12 standout tracks from over 50 demos. Having mentioned the word 'magic' I feel I've found a theme for george's sound; the concept of 'charm' which can reach the extremes of out-right witchcraft. I do feel like the spell has gripped me after the opening track Falling Inside, a whimsical stroll through a minimal groove, only interrupted by the dramatic sonic bursts that represent the choruses, giving Katie Noonan a chance to stretch her famed vocal chords. It's no wonder she's become everyone's favourite diva. The Noonan family seems to have the unique 'sing like a bird gene' and let's hope no-one ever splices that particular piece of DNA; the natural flair Tyrone and Katie possess should remain a rare gift. Tyrone is in fine form on One, a ditty that lulls you into hypnosis before waking you with furious burst, which display the band's full power. The single, Still Real, is an apt description of the pioneering act; still making music for the love of it, untainted by the adoration of the industry. That precise fusion of jazz sounds, pop mentality and rock power is still intact. Nick Stewart (guitar) clearly stated the intentions of this album in the Whammo interview: "...we’ve been true to ourselves and our fans- that’s all you can hope for". After a few listens to Unity, I can authoritatively say: mission accomplished.
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STILL REAL (5 TRX ENHANCED)
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 GEORGE
Add to basket. Normally ships within 10 days $22.95 (US $14.18) (UK £7.93)
cd
Polyserena is the highly anticipated debut album from george, produced by David Nicholas (Pulp, Ash, INXS, Midnight Oil). All tracks featured on the album stand on their own including 'Breathe In Now', 'Run', 'Special Ones', 'Bastard Son', 'Strange Days' and 'Spawn'. A stunning debut by one of Brisbane's finest!
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 GEORGE
Add to basket. Normally ships within 10 days $13.95 (US $8.62) (UK £4.82)
cd
The six track EP from Brisbanes most seductive and eclectic popsters George. The EP features the massive and exhilirating hit, Spawn, as well as their huge second single, Polyserena, just for starters on this wicked package that showcases their totally incredible collective musical talents. Also includes excellent CD-Rom compotent boasting interviews, photos and live clips of the band.
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GEORGE: NATIONAL TOUR DATES
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February
14....Bimbadgen Estate, Hunter Valley, NSW (A Day On The Green with Jewel)
15....Moorilla Estate, Hobart, TAS (A Day On The Green with Jewel)
18....Preston Hotel, Geelong, VIC
19....Peninsula Lounge, Moorooduc, VIC
20....The Forum, Melbourne, VIC
21....Rochfords Eyton, Yarra valley, VIC (A Day On The Green with Jewel)
23....Tilley’s, Canberra, ACT
24....Tilley’s, Canberra, ACT
26....Wollongong University, Wollongong, NSW
27....The Roundhouse” Uni of NSW, Sydney, NSW
28....Mingarra Recreation Club, Mingarra, NSW
29....Pacific Palms Recreation Club, Pacific Palms, NSW
March
2.....Coffs Ex-Services Club, Coffs Harbour, NSW
3.....Yamba Bowls Club, Yamba, NSW
4.....Lismore Workers Club, Lismore, NSW
5.....The Arena, Brisbane, QLD
6.....The Trocadero, Surfers Paradise, QLD
11....Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide, SA
13....Kings Park, Perth, WA
16....Eastwood Hotel, Sydney, NSW
17....Harbord Diggers Club, Sydney, NSW
18....Revesby WC, Sydney, NSW
19....Parramatta Leagues Club, Sydney, NSW
20....Campbelltown Catholic Club, Sydney, NSW |
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