From time to time, many of us enjoy indulging in the warm sounds of a romantic anthem. And, if you are looking for such a tune, George Cosby’s “She Got It Bad” is for you. As George’s distinctly gruff tone is ushered in by a plucky guitar, a rhythmic tone emerges in the song as listeners are treated to a set of vivid and love-laced lyrics born out of the artist’s impeccable storytelling abilities. And, while the track itself exudes pure romance, its accompanying Milan-based and Bjarke Underbjerg-directed visuals portray a tale of love at first sight and its dizzying, reality-blurring effects.
“‘She Got It Bad’ came from a place where I was beginning to realise that life and the imperfections of people may be the most wonderful bits about them. So it was a little play on culture’s portrayal of what is perfect and reality vs dream. I’d been writing a fair few ballads at the time, so this song was a bit of a challenge for me to come up with something different,” explains George when speaking on his newest release.
Talking on his journey through music, who inspires him and the making of the “She Got It Bad” music video, the artist sat down with Wonderland for a candid chat. Head below to read our interview with George Crosby…
Hey George, how are you? How has this past year been?
I’m very well, thank you, enjoying the sprouts of life appearing again. As with most people, it has been an up and down sort of time. I am grateful to have had wonderful people around me, some precious time with family and moments to reflect and find new perspectives. I’ve missed playing live, the ability to discover those songs on a stage and meet fans. That excitement was why I was drawn to music, so it can’t come quick enough.
With everything that happened last year, was you’re creativity affected?
It was, in interesting ways. I learnt a fair bit of my own relationship from it, how to be kind to yourself, the value of the truly wonderful relationships I’ve made and how special creativity is. By finding a balance and openness, our access to it, maybe unsurprisingly, becomes easier.
What made you pursue a career in music, what sparked the interest?
I often think about this, and it’s the connection I had with songs when I was younger. They could really grab me in a powerful way. It’s a feeling I think I chase now. As I’m surrounded by music most days, it has become rarer and takes some searching, but it’s still possible.
Where are you from? Do you think your area impacted your sound in any way?
I’m originally from Sussex near Brighton, although I’ve moved around a fair bit. I grew up in an artistic environment, and that gave me a belief in following my passions. It might actually be my travels that have impacted my sound, the romantic notions you get from being somewhere for a relatively short space of time. The people you meet and the stories they tell.
Talk us through your new single “She Got It Bad”! What was your mindset when making it?
“She Got It Bad” came from a place where I was beginning to realise that life and the imperfections of people may be the most wonderful bits about them. So it was a little play on culture’s portrayal of what is perfect and reality vs dream. I’d been writing a fair few ballads at the time, so this song was a bit of a challenge for me to come up with something different.
It is very much inspired by Italian cinema! What about it inspires you and what made you want to incorporate this?
My favourite Italian directors are able to hit such a beautiful cord, like a resonance that takes us out of our own heads to be aware of all the beauty around us. That sounds a little heady, but it’s hard to describe. I learnt that the Portuguese have a word called saudade, a sort of sadness that makes you want to sing. We don’t have a word that exactly nails this. Italian cinema does it so well, I adore it, and if I can bottle a little in my music, then that would make me very happy.
You filmed it in Milan, what was this experience like?
Very special. It was a real blessing to get there and work with such a wonderful team. Music for me is a real escapist release, and it transports me to a different time and place. I don’t often write with huge realism rooted in my everyday existence, more where I am dreaming of being. As we talked about earlier, “She Got It Bad” was inspired by Italian cinema, so what better place to be? I feel fortunate to have had that experience.
What do you want people to take away from your music?
I’m just very grateful that people are listening and connecting with the songs. If they can transport them somewhere for just a few minutes, make them smile or help in anyway that is such a special thing. I’m very lucky to be doing this and creating stuff out of the weird thoughts in my head.
Who would you say inspires you?
Where to start! Musically, I recognised qualities I really connected to in artists like Bryan Ferry and Scott Walker. I’m also in awe of so many of the women releasing music at the moment, consistently delivering flawless artistic, accessible music and immersive visual worlds. Lorde, Florence and Billie Eilish, to name just a few. Leonard Cohen and Pablo Neruda’s words are so beautiful they push me to practice and search to better my writing. Outside of the arts, I’m totally gripped by the future of our environment and farming. The wonderful creative projects people are undertaking are so inspiring.
What’s next for you! What are most excited for?
Lots to come, I’m excited. I’ve spent a few years working to this point, so there is a fair amount of material to share. I’ll have a small collection of songs out in the world in October. They span a bit of my journey over the last 3 or so years, carrying those times and places. I hope they give a real flavour of what I’m all about.