Georgia Fair
Album: Georgia Fair (EP)
Label: Sony Music
Website: georgiafair.com.au
All fun - and hard work - for the Fair
For Ben Riley and
Jordan Wilson it’s always been part of life to share days together.
Natives of Sydney’s Northern Beaches (Newport), friendship blossomed
over the usual teenage boy obsessions, surfing and music. Together they
started to write and perform. 
A
few years on, now both 21, they’re still as close as ever, in fact
if not closer. Able to share in the other’s success for it’s
their own; together they sit poised on the cusp of achieving significant
recognition as two years of solid gigging have led to the release of their
first self-titled EP under the name Georgia Fair. For Ben Riley it’s
a dream come true and just rewards for all their hard work.
“It feels really cool – I guess it’s really great because
we’ve been playing for so long together and sussing it out for the
last couple of years and to finally have a product that we can show everyone
what we’ve been doing, and something that will get us out on the
road (which we love) we’re kind of really excited for each other,
it’s a really nice thing to be able to share with someone –
especially your best mate. “
Whether they’re their own generation’s answer to The Beautiful
Girls remains to be seen - just yet, but what a fast ride it has been
for the duo. Observed fortuitously by Sony’s A & R rep talent
scouting at one of their gigs in inner Sydney, it was straight into the
studio to produce their debut ep. Combine its release last month with
an East Coast tour, as well, festival spots to look forward to over summer,
Riley considers it’s not luck but a big chance at achieving success.
“I think we had to kind of see it as a really big opportunity because
it is (as you said) one of the biggest labels (Sony) so it does it makes
you really kind of take stock and see it as a really big opportunity,
so that’s how we’re kind of treating it.,” he reflects.
Being signed to a major label does at times feel a little daunting but
for this self-assured young musician he’s convinced its all part
of the journey.
“You do get a bit stressed about it and stuff at the end of the
day you think: it’s great to be really busy in this industry, doing
shows and working for (with) a label it’s a really big opportunity.
“ Riley says.
In fact perhaps the most surprising aspect to their ride so far has been
the support they’ve encountered.
“Yeh that is probably one of the weirdest things about (especially
with the label) all of a sudden you’ve got so many people working
for you, and it becomes a really weird feeling and it becomes a really
surreal feeling suddenly all working towards the same goal your outlook
definitely does change especially after that kind of process going on.”
Down to earth (as they appear both in person and performing) these two
Aussie lads, are undoubtedly talented at their craft. Some might suggest
it is the beach exposure that make’s them so chilled out in their
approach, whether it’s dealing with journalists, writing music or
deciding their tour schedule they are relaxed in their demeanour.
“We don’t draw inspiration from it , we’re just
a lot more relaxed and free of our mind it really does make it a lot more
of a nicer environment to write songs and rehearse and stuff like that
and if you’ve got writers block or you want to rehearse it’s
just like a nice vibe about it and a few waves can clear your mind.”
Georgia Fair’s self-titled EP is available for download via bandit.fm.
Ruth Bailey