The disc, a veritable treasure trove of beguiling melodies and delicious electronic beats, brings together influences as diverse as Bowie (circa Low), Burt Bacharach, Kraftwerk and Phil Spector, creating an intoxicating brew that just may become the cocktail du jour—or du decade. Indeed, the remix of their I-love-you-I-hate-you take on unrequited love--the naughtily-titled “F*cking Boyfriend”--has already made a huge splash in the club world.

Though it might appear all is fun and games in the world of the bird and the bee, George and Kurstin come to this project with impressive musical pedigrees. A jazz piano prodigy as a youth, Kurstin is a virtuoso on several instruments, has studied with Jaki Byard, Mingus' pianist, has lent his skills to as a musician to the likes of Beck and Robert Moog, and has written and/or produced such artists as Peaches, The Flaming Lips and Lily Allen.

George grew up in Los Angeles in a musical household, the daughter of Lowell George, frontman of Little Feat. For several years she was in different bands in the Los Angeles area until she began her solo career releasing 2005's critically acclaimed All Rise. During the making of that record was how Greg and Inara first met.

Lucky for us these two magically musical souls found each other and have forged such a rewarding and delicious partnership. The fruits of their labor, shall we say, have become our just desserts. Here, George and Kurstin talk about their creative process, the potential dark side lurking under their sunny pop sheen, and the heartache that comes along with having a “f*cking boyfriend” who happens to be gay.

Gay Wired: What was your original goal in forming the bird and the bee?

Inara George: It really came about because we were doing something fun. It wasn’t really for popular consumption, although it seems to be drawing in more people than other things we’ve done. Because we’re older, and we’ve paid our dues, we just enjoy ourselves as long as we’re having fun. We know everything is momentary. I just hope that we continue to have fun.

Greg Kurstsin: Though it wasn’t our intention, this music has definitely brought out a broader audience than anything we’ve done before. It started just with our friends, and it spread out from there.

GW: Why did you choose electronic music to express your creativity?

GK: I am keyboard player, and the keyboard is to electronic music what a guitar is to rock and roll. I grew up on the keyboard, listening to bands like Kraftwerk.

IG: I actually don’t play keyboard or drum machine—I compose on acoustic guitar.

GW: Inara, have you been influenced by the music of your father [Little Feat’s Lowell George] at all?

IG: Rock and roll has definitely influenced me. I listened to my father’s record collection when I was young. But ultimately, you create your own thing. Sometimes you gravitate to what your parents liked, but I don’t think my music can be compared to his at all.

GW: Where do you get the subjects for your lyrics?

IG: Obviously, you have to look toward your own experience. On this project, it was an experiment for us to play with subject matter. A song started as an idea. It became it’s own story before it became a song. It was like, “What does this idea sound like, and how can we use music to make it fun story?”

GW: Greg, I know you were influenced by David Bowie and Phil Spector. What about Burt Bacharach? I definitely hear echoes of his work in your music.

GK: I love Bacharach. He’s a great pop songwriter. I like to draw from ’50s and ’60s pop music. There’s a certain complexity to it—simple melodies moving over complex chords.

GW: As pretty as your songs are, it feels like there is definitely some rage being expressed, particularly in “F*cking Boyfriend” and “Because".

IG: I wouldn’t say rage. It’s more frustration. Saying “f*cking” was meant to be playful. It’s definitely a girl thing when you put yourself in a position where somewhere leads you on but doesn’t take you completely seriously. “F*cking Boyfriend” could be about a man who isn’t giving enough, or it could even describe a situation where a girl is in love with a gay guy. It could be a girl thinking, ‘We have this relationship that is so much like a romantic relationship, but it’s not.’ I like the fact that you get rage out of it, even though it’s not the original intention of the song. It’s great when you put it out there, and then it’s completely misinterpreted, but it’s not a bad thing. Interpretations are sometimes more interesting than what I put out there.

GW: For obvious resasons, “F*cking Boyfriend” has a lot of resonance for gay men. When the remix is played in clubs, it’s a kind of empowering anthem.

IG: When the idea came up for a remix, we realized that it would be directed to the gay audience, which is great. Of course, gay men and straight women both know what it’s like to have f*cking boyfriends!

For more information on the bird and the bee, visit www.myspace.com/thebirdandthebee .

Until next time!