Jem (singer)

Infobox Musical artist


Img_size = 150
Name = Jem
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Jemma Griffiths
Born = birth date and age|1975|06|18
Origin = Penarth, Wales, United Kingdom
Genre = Trip hop, pop rock, folk, New Wave
Years_active = 2002—present
Label = Sony BMG/RCA/ATO
URL = [http://www.jem-music.net jem-music.net]

Jemma Griffiths (born June 18, 1975 in Penarth, Wales), better known as Jem, is a Welsh singer-songwriter known for her eclectic musical stylings. Her debut album, "Finally Woken", includes elements of rock, New Wave-styled electronica and trip-hop. Along with electronic producer Guy Sigsworth (Björk, Frou Frou), she wrote the song "Nothing Fails", which was later reworked by Madonna and appeared on her 2003 "American Life" album. Her second album "Down to Earth" was released September 16, 2008.

Biography

Beginnings

Jem was born in Penarth, Wales, a small town near Cardiff. Her siblings are Chloe, Justin and Georgia; Justin and Georgia are vocals of the band The Weapons.

Although she began singing and writing songs at age thirteen in Swansea, Wales, she decided to head into law and attended Sussex University. However, she spent less time and energy on studies and focused on being a DJ agent, although she did eventually receive a degree in law. There in Brighton, she spent a lot of time promoting club nights, and helped set-up and run the specialist breaks label Marine Parade. She has said she "went to class as little as [she] could without being kicked out"cite web | last=Kenly | first=Emma | title=Jem's the best of British | date=2005-03-14 | url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/features/life/article214362.ece | work=The Sun | accessdate=2007-12-22 ] .

In November 1999, she assembled a mobile studio where she further developed her songwriting and music production skills. During this period, she completed four demos that would eventually set up her career in the music industry. From there, she moved to London where she collaborated with Guy Sigsworth, and then to Brooklyn to work with Ge-Ology, (Mos Def, Talib Kweli). In autumn 2002 she met Yoad Nevo, who became her co-producer.

Career

Jem's solo career began in earnest in 2002, when a demo version of the song "Finally Woken" was played on Los Angeles station KCRW. The track became one of the most listener-requested songs at the station, landing her in their top 5 played artists, and all prior to any record label being attached. As a result, Bruce Flohr was so impressed with her demos that he offered Jem a record deal onto Dave Matthews' ATO record label.

She was subsequently signed to the label ATO and released the moderately successful EP "It All Starts Here" in autumn 2003, followed by the album "Finally Woken" in March 2004.

Jem released the single "24" from "Finally Woken" on 2003 as a limited edition promo single, and then released her debut single, "They", from the same album, which followed the next year in her homeland of the UK, with a separate video. A remix of the song was the first release on her vinyl imprint label CrazyWiseMusic.cite web | title=soulseduction.com - jem - they (remix) | url=http://www.soulseduction.com/common/item_detail.php?ItemID=145623 | month=January | year=2005 | accessdate=2007-12-22 ]

Further singles followed in the UK, before she took a gap to write and record a new album. Whilst working on the album, with Lester Mendez, she wrote a song called "Once In Every Lifetime" for the "Eragon" movie soundtrack. According to the press release, the new album will feature "a sprinkle of hip hop, a sprinkle of funk, a sprinkle of rock, an extra juicy helping of dance floor magic, and this time around some Cuban salsa and Japanese vibes mixed in for good measure." The song, "It's Amazing" from the "Sex and the City" movie soundtrack is the official first single from her second album, which she has entitled "Down To Earth," released September 16th.cite web | url=http://www.jem-music.net/?p=news | title=::Jem:: The Official Homepage | date=2007-05-27 | work=Jem: The Official Homepage | accessdate=2007-05-31 ]

Her music has been featured on numerous television shows such as "The O.C.", "Desperate Housewives", "Wonderfalls", "Six Feet Under", "Crossing Jordan", "Grey's Anatomy", and "Wish I" was used as the theme tune to the ITV show Celebrity Love Island.

Jem performed live at KCRW Radio in 2002 and 2004; WOXY in 2004; Popworld, Glastonbury, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Sasquatch! Music Festival, V Festival, and Top of the Pops in 2005.

TV shows and films featuring Jem

References

External links

* [http://www.jem-music.net/ Official website]
*MySpace-music|jem|Jem
*cite web | last=Molloy | first=Tim | title=A Lunch Date With... Jem | url=http://www.lunchboxing.com/feat_molloy28.shtml

Persondata
NAME = Griffiths, Jemma
ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Jem
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Singer, Songwriter
DATE OF BIRTH = June 18, 1975
PLACE OF BIRTH = Penarth, Cardiff, Wales
DATE OF DEATH =
PLACE OF DEATH =