Georgie James’ Burhenn Is Mynabirds

Record due April 27 on Saddle Creek; features guests on loan from Bright Eyes, Cursive, Azure Ray and These United States.

By Blurt Staff

One of the most lamented breakups of the past few years must have been DC's Georgie James, an indie pop combo based around the nucleus of partners John Davis (ex Q and Not U) and Laura Burhenn. They split in 2008 and Burhenn started working on her own material, several examples of which can be found at her somewhat-inactive MySpace page.

Now, drawing upon the gospel, old soul, and rock n roll records that she grew up with, Burhenn will unveil What We Lose In The Fire We Gain In The Flood (April 27, Saddle Creek), her debut album as The Mynabirds. 

In the spring of 2009, she crafted a new batch of songs and enlisted singer-songwriter/producer Richard Swift to help the material come to life in the studio.  The Mynabirds, inspired by the name of a forgotten Motown Records band that included Rick James and Neil Young, is the project that emerged from these sessions.

Free MP3 of "Numbers Don't Lie"

Burhenn shells out an enormously rich and husky voice on her new album.  Her vocals color the vivid imagery of her lyrics, many of which were inspired by a Zen look at ideas of loss and recovery.  Whether upbeat or introspective, Burhenn remains soulful and honest at her core.  She simultaneously harnesses the charm of contemporaries Cat Power and  Feist, as well as the fervor and magnitude of iconic influences Nina Simone and Grace Slick.

The album also includes some notable guest artists.  Tom Hnatow (These United States) played pedal steel, Nate Walcott (Bright Eyes) arranged the horns on the album and backing vocals were provided by Orenda Fink (Azure Ray) and engineer/producer AJ Mogis (Monsters of Folk, Cursive, Tilly and The Wall).

[Photo Credit - from Burhenn's MySpace page, by Shervinfoto]