For electro-pop duo the Bird and the Bee, the future catches up with the past

They describe themselves as a futuristic 1960s American film set in Brazil. Think psychedelic lounge music, or perhaps a soundtrack to an old-school Bond movie — perfect for both the love and the killing scenes.

Whatever the description, the Bird and the Bee is on their way up. Their music has been featured in "Grey's Anatomy," "Sex and the City: The Movie" and "Forgetting Sarah Marshall." Keyboardist/producer Greg Kurstin has also worked with Lily Allen, Britney Spears and Beck.

"There's not a lot of people who can play like Greg, so I think the question is more why would Greg want to play with me?" said singer Inara George. "When people are really proficient at an instrument, they don't really know the concept of less is more ... and that's what I noticed with Greg. He can play anything and yet a lot of times, he chooses to play something really simple. It's a rare thing to find."

The Los Angeles electro-pop duo just released their album, "Ray Guns Are Not Just the Future" and will be performing at Chop Suey Thursday. The name of their new album comes from a show George saw on "60 Minutes," about how the U.S. government has invented a ray gun.

"I thought it was interesting how ... the future catches up with the past in that way," said George. "With our music, too, we're playing with different eras and looking ahead and looking back."

Kurstin met George while working on her 2006 debut album, "All Rise." The 34-year-old singer is the daughter of Lowell George, the late founder of the rock band Little Feat.

"Inara is an amazing singer," said Kurstin, 39. "I just don't know anyone that sings better than Inara. She's amazing. Wow. I lucked out."

Others Kurstin has worked with (read that: Allen and Spears) are surrounded by a bit more drama.

"They both have paparazzi, that's for sure," said Kurstin. "I really enjoy working with both. ... Britney was really nice. It was fun to come up with tracks for that. Same with Lily. She's really super nice. It's definitely fun to write for their thing and come up with ideas that fit into what they do."

Kurstin and George have built quite a musical chemistry. Music flows from them having fun together.

"You get together with somebody and you play with them and there's a real ease to it," said George. "Greg and I have that with each other. It doesn't feel like work, it feels like fun."

Adds Kurstin, "We are just trying to make music that makes us happy and puts people in a good mood. ... Writing songs a little bit different, but hopefully sounds familiar."

Marian Liu: 206-464-3825 or mliu@seattletimes.com