Geggy Tah
| Industry | Music |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1988 |
| Founder | Tommy Jordan, Greg Kurstin |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Geggy Tah is a musical duo initially created by songwriter, vocalist, and bassist Tommy Jordan alongside multi-instrumentalist Greg Kurstin, who plays keyboards and guitar. Renowned for their dynamic live performances that showcase a wide variety of instruments played by both members, the group received acclaim from David Byrne, who admired their inventive combination of diverse musical elements resulting in a distinctive sound.
CoCu (late 1980s to early 1990s)
In approximately 1987, Jordan established CoCu—a collective of ten musicians blending formally trained artists with amateurs. Kurstin became part of this ensemble in 1988 after an audition facilitated by John McKnight. Characterized more as an interactive workshop than a traditional band by Jordan himself, CoCu gained traction within Los Angeles' club circuit, holding regular performances at venues such as Flaming Colossus and Vertigo. Their unique approach drew the interest of notable personalities including Bono from U2, who financed studio sessions upon hearing them, and Steven Spielberg, who engaged the group to perform at his birthday celebration.
Geggy Tah's inception (1988) and Luaka Bop signing (early 1990s)
Following their initial collaboration in 1988 and the eventual dissolution of CoCu in the early 1990s, Jordan and Kurstin concentrated on their duo project. The name Geggy Tah derives from childhood mispronunciations of "Greg" and "Tommy" by their sisters.
Their demo tape reached David Byrne, founder of the label Luaka Bop, which was originally established to promote global music. Although Geggy Tah's style diverged from Byrne's usual signings, he was impressed enough to offer them a contract, describing their demo as "one of the strangest and most unexpected recordings we had ever encountered." Byrne characterized their music as blending influences akin to Ween and Prince, enriched with more profound and articulate lyrics, emphasizing its modern and hopeful spirit.
Grand Opening (1994)
The debut album by Geggy Tah, titled Grand Opening, was co-produced by Jordan, Kurstin, and acclaimed producer Susan Rogers, known for her collaborations with artists like Prince and The Jacksons. Rogers agreed to work for a reduced rate due to her enthusiasm for the project and noted that this experience significantly altered her perspective on producing music. The album’s cover art displays a photograph of Rogers’s Boston terrier named Gina.
Although Grand Opening did not achieve commercial success, it received favorable reviews from critics. Rolling Stone commended its imaginative arrangements and dreamlike auditory atmosphere. Timothy White of Billboard praised the album’s intricate fusion of genres—including jazz-pop elements, hip-hop beats, and unusual instrumentation—labeling it "brilliantly eccentric" with meticulously crafted harmonies and captivating rhythms throughout its fifteen tracks.
Sacred Cow (1996)
The 1996 album Sacred Cow saw Geggy Tah incorporate drummer Daren Hahn into their lineup. Issued through Luaka Bop and featuring the producer Susan Rogers's dog Gina on its cover, the record included the successful single "Whoever You Are," which reached number 16 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. This track was also featured in a Mercedes-Benz advertisement around 2001. Originally penned by Jordan during childhood as a gesture of gratitude toward courteous drivers and as an encouragement to his father, the accompanying music video depicted Jordan, Kurstin, and Hahn performing while driving, intercut with archival footage from vintage driving safety films.
Into the Oh (2001)
In 1999, Geggy Tah revealed plans for an album entitled Music Inspired by the Fragrance and released two songs online: "Space Heater" and "Sweat." However, due to Luaka Bop's label transition from Warner Bros. to Virgin Records, the project was postponed until 2001 and ultimately renamed Into the Oh. Released jointly by Luaka Bop and Virgin, this album introduced new contributors, including Los Angeles-based session percussionist Bruce Millstein.
In 2000, Tommy Jordan played steel drums on Jack Johnson's track "Flake" from the album Brushfire Fairytales. Esteemed musicians such as Ben Harper have recognized Jordan as one of the most imaginative and adaptable multi-instrumentalists of his era. During the 1990s, T Bone Burnett ranked Jordan among the top five most innovative personalities within the music industry.
By 2006, Kurstin had established The Bird and the Bee, and by 2010 he received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Producer, Non-Classical for his production work on Lily Allen's It's Not Me, It's You.
Albums
- Grand Opening (1994, Luaka Bop)
- Sacred Cow (1996, Luaka Bop)
- Into the Oh (2001, Luaka Bop/Virgin)
Singles
| Title | Year | AUS | US Alt | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Whoever You Are" | 1996 | 63 | 67 | Sacred Cow |