AlunaGeorge Is Here to Stay [Album Release + Interview]

Aluna Francis and George Reid met in late 2009 and after their huge success with “You Know You Like it,” they released their first studio album as Alunageorge– Body Music. Well it’s been a busy three years – and after extensive touring all across the world they are set to release their second studio album – I Remember. It comes packed with awesome features such as Zhu, Pell and Leikeli47. Whether it be Aluna’s sultry voice or George’s perfectly crafted production, I Remember has something for everyone.

To introduce the album- the AlunaGeorge team will be hosting a livestreaming event to really introduce the album to the world on September 20th. I had a chance to talk to the wonderful Aluna Francis about her summer, the album, and what’s next on the horizon.

Summer is just about wrapping up – the easiest question to ask is how was your Summer?

That is absolutely terrifying to think about [Summer being over] – trust me in New York right now it does not feel like Summer is even close to being over. The humidity is horrible. My summer was full-on. Really really full-on. Got the opportunity to really travel America and see a bunch of places.

You had a very busy festival season ranging from Lollapalooza to Glastonbury – did you have fun?

Festivals are always an unexpected adventure – never a dull moment.

Can you elaborate on ‘unexpected adventure?’

It’s quite unexpected to turn up at festivals straight from the bus. I mean quite literally walk into a festival in your pajamas. It’s quite weird. In a good way.

What was your favorite festival to play?

Glastonbury. That was fantastic. That really is the best festival – I don’t care what any of you Americans have to say about Coachella. I know you guys have a blast at Shambhala and Burning Man. Sorry everybody! *Laughs*

We are so close to I Remember‘s being released – how does that feel?

Wow it’s so close. I am. It’s been a long time coming. What a journey. I find it difficult to realize that it’s already September – I find it more difficult to realize that this whole album is almost out. It’s quite surreal.

With your extensive travel schedule – did you guys record on the road at all?

Never. We never recorded on the road. That’s probably why it took so long. You have to find really very focused time to record.

It must be hard to just get off tour, switch gears completely and hit the studio, correct me if I’m wrong.

Exactly! I’m sorry but I’m not going to write an album about being tired and traveling and eating at random places and getting drunk. That’s just not interesting. Touring life is too unrelatable to anything It’s fast. It’s not as human as I would like to talk about in my music.

Now that we’re ¾ of the way through 2016, what is on your list of goals for the rest of the year? What do you want to have accomplished by January 1, 2017?

I really want to know what I’m doing in terms of the next album. *Laughs* I’m a bit insatiable. I’m always thinking ahead. I feel like we have this little opportunity. We have a small window to come to America and really prove ourselves as artists. Now I just want to lock it down with more solidity. We’re always learning. There is ALWAYS more things to show as we learn these new things. I find it comforting when an artist keeps coming back – when they believe in what they are doing. I want to be able to say that I am doing that.

Can you tell me about this livestreaming event you guys are going to be hosting for the album?

Yeah! So we thought since it is so hard to get to everybody and we are so lucky to have so many fans around the world we wanted to do something that would include everyone. So we decided to do something that could really bring back that moment where you listen to this music and you’re not distracted by everything else that is happening. It’s just a pure moment where you can decide if you vibe to the songs or even the whole album! It’s something that is really important to us and we tried really really hard to get that locked down. We’re so excited.