Thursday 1st January 2009

Yes, it's about that time again to start getting hair & makeup, jumping in and out of crazy costumes, and having incredible amounts of fun making a NEW VIDEO!

It's been a while since my last Hawaiian-esk escapade where I was swishing my hula skirt and 'wishing I' could go along with my beloved on his trip! This video for the song 'It's Amazing' has been a very long time coming indeed, ironically when it actually happened it was the fastest one I've ever done!

Back in the summer we were discussing lots of different options, one of which was even potentially having the cast of Sex and the City in the video! My manager joked we should have 'Big' at my place cooking me eggs in the morning, I told him that would be sacrilegious! Anyway, the shoot was AMAZING as per the song title, and I couldn't be happier with the video. It's extremely special and very close to my heart as it not only accompanies the song exactly as I had hoped and imagined, but it actually embodies me doing exactly what I'm singing about in the song, "going for it", by co-directing it too which was a fabulous first!

The story goes:

Back in July I met Jesse Dylan at a friends soiree and started having a lovely chat.
(As a quick aside, it was quite funny as I had no idea who his Dad was at the time. He found out I was a singer and so touring came up, he said he'd toured a lot when he was younger so I just presumed he was a musician. He then told me he wasn't but his Dad was and I thought nothing of it other than wondering if I might know of his Dad. I found out later his touring Dad was none other than BOB..! Hmmm, I think I've heard of him before! While I'm on the topic his brother Jakob has a wicked new album out called 'Seeing Things' that I've been listening to a lot recently). Anyway, that is all utterly irrelevant, on with the story!

We continued our conversation and I found out Jesse was a director. I told him of my secret ambitions of getting behind the camera and how I'd been reading a lot of books on the subject and about cinematography etc, and he said, "Why don't you direct your next music video?" I explained it wasn't really something I felt an urge to do, that I'm interested in features, and didn't really fancy my first attempt being to direct myself. Regardless, he looked at me and said, "You should do it".

Later that week I went for a walk and meditated on what Jesse had said and my intense and growing passion for film. (Over the last few years while waiting for Down To Earth to be released, I've realized my inquisitiveness and love of this storytelling medium has been there all along, since I was a young'un, and it's now rocketing to the surface!) I listened to 'It's Amazing' imagining what I would do if I were to direct it, and I suddenly realized Jesse was right, I had to do it! I also reflected on how interesting it was that when I wrote the song I conjured up past events and emotions of when I had been trying to get a break, which I thought and hoped would speak to others who might be at similar junctures in their lives, and perhaps be a comfort and motivator. As I overlooked the ocean that day, I realized that the song was speaking to me also! How curious! My songs have often done this over the years (sometimes in a sweet way - Finally Woken, sometimes annoyingly so – Just a Ride..!) but this was really unexpected. I decided then and there I was going to do it, and in that way, the song and video would be rolled into one as an interesting testament to the song's message.

Fast forward a few months - the endeavor floated for a while, release dates were finalized, and I happened to get an email one day from a person I met a year ago, on Halloween, at the Murakami MOCA party in LA…

My sister and I, and my friend over from the UK, were catching up by an outside bar when we spotted two men in suits with bald heads and big mustaches! They looked very funny. I think my sister told them they had the best costumes and they came over. We all got conversing, emails were exchanged and that was that. The email I received a year later (there had been a few in between) was a group email from Saam Gabbay, aka one of the 'Mustache Men'! Letting everyone know his new website was up. I knew he was a creative fellow as he'd been running around taking photos the night we met, and although I was right in the middle of something, I had a strong urge to check out his new site. I knew I was supposed to look at it (I have fairly poor time management skills which is why I don't blog as much as I'd like to, so doing something like this in the middle of work is a tad dangerous!) Anyway, I had a look, saw Saam's film called "a very sad day" (http://www.saamgabbay.com/special-projects/podcasts/) and fell in love with it. The minute I saw it I knew that's what I wanted to do for my video.

I contacted Saam and we met to discuss co-directing and a plan. He was enthused especially as he's a music-lover (he confided that he sometimes feels the need to wind up his window when blasting long 80's jazz solos in his car! I told him I didn't think that was bad at all, and that I like all those cheesy love songs that stay in the charts for 13 weeks like old Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey ballads, I think he thought that was worse..!) and also a very talented closet musician himself. It turns out he made loads of dance tracks for himself back in the day which we listened to in the edit, 'experimental' drum 'n' bass a la LTJ Bukem, as it was known then. I used to run 'Jungle' nights in Brighton so this was a very interesting discovery! His music skills also came in handy on the set when he thankfully worked out my own song notes for me to play on the piano. (Lester (Mendez) originally played the intro on the track, the whole thing in one take no less, straight off the bat with no practicing, I was very impressed!) I write and play things by ear and the organ unfortunately wasn't omitting a sound so I had no chance.

We worked at a CRAZY pace just before the holidays: completely changed the treatment four days before the shoot to the idea I'd first had when I initially wrote the song, hired Jennifer the amazing stylist on the wed night (giving her just 24hrs to find all the outfits), and didn't lock down the location until the thurs when we were shooting the next day, completely nuts! Anyway, the day went amazing and there are lots of great outtakes that I'll post here (on my site www.jem-music.com for those of you reading this elsewhere), as soon as I can get them up. I learnt so much it was fantastic. One of my favorite experiences was actually in the edit, where Saam and I sat and went through all the photo-films (the whole video is made of still photo's strung together incase you hadn't noticed!) to put together the video. I've always enjoyed engineering my vocals and demos (in Logic) in my studio, and it was great to get a taste of Final Cut too.

I'm so excited to get it out there. I hope you like the end result and will send me all your comments on youtube!
Here's the link – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XDxhDbtDak
Spreading the word in any way about the video would be MUCH MUCH MUCH APPRECIATED! :) Thank you kindly in advance!
Obviously you can watch it here also but I want to see those comments!
Remember to click on 'watch in high quality' at the bottom right of the screen.

Other than that I hope you are all having a WONDERFUL holiday experience and are looking forward to a SUPERCALIFRAGILISTICEXPIALIDOCIOUS 2009!!!
I certainly am!
Bye for now and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Jem x

JEM RELEASES WITH DRAMATICO RECORDS

On 2nd February 2009, Jem will be making a welcome return to Europe with a brand new single and album on the same day.

Jem joins Katie Melua and the first lady of France Carla Bruni, along with label-owner-maestro Mike Batt as label mates. She comments "I was so impressed with Dramatico and their set up, they had me at hello!" adding "I am thrilled to be working with music-loving, enthusiastic, intelligent, passionate, humorous, lovely people who thankfully possess the essential ingredient of having 'balls', what more could an artist ask for?"

The album's release date is also a special one as Jem's Welsh grandfather, her 'Dadcu', passed in July, and would have turned ninety-three on February 2nd next year. "It is so lovely and auspicious that the album is going to be released on his Birthday. There are no coincidences you know". The album is dedicated to him and her three other grandparents.

Jem can't wait for her UK and European fans to finally hear the new album. "Down to Earth is different from Finally Woken in a good way. As before, I mix up genres as I like listening to lots of different types of music so that's what comes out. It is a little darker in parts and then a little lighter too, as is life."

Jem's new album 'Down to Earth', available on Dramatico Records/ATO 2nd February 2009.

In response to some of the responses to my last blog, I am not here to dispute anyone's point of view, I'm sure my time would be better spent writing new music. I deliberately did not go into specifics and I'm not interested in discussing taxes! That is not why I was writing. I'm sorry to disappoint some, and causing divides is the antithesis of what I wish to do here and with my music. I genuinely just want the best for all of us in the long term and I honestly feel more hopeful than before. That of course might change, but for now that's how I feel.

We can all wager in on what might happen next, what we believe, what we feel we 'know' for sure, but the truth is, the future remains to be seen, because it is just that, the future. I was talking about my personal feelings, I don't 'know' anything else. As Nietzsche says, "Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies" which is well worth remembering. We all indulge in thinking we know a lot more than we actually do about so many things, which is one of the thoughts that inspired my first single 'They'. None of us here, as far as I am presuming, have ever run for president, or been president, and really seen behind those scenes (if you have, please enlighten the rest of us..!) Who knows what goes on, who is really in control, how critical decisions are made. It must be a nightmare job. Trying to please everyone in America is going to be nigh-on impossible, let alone the world. I was just saying that I am feeling more hopeful, I'm not expecting Obama to come out in January, wave a magic wand, and the world will be a perfect place. Although that would obviously be awesome…

We are all different, we are going to have different opinions, debates can be fruitful, but it doesn't need to be so black and white, or fiery. 'This is who I support, so I don't like/am annoyed with that person' etc. Some good points have been raised, and I have to say although I didn't expect my letter to be so pulled apart, I am pleased because it has given me the opportunity to be more specific, and lead me to something new which I'll go into below (the process of which inspired the title, incase you were wondering).

When I wrote my letter for the Obama wall it was meant in the spirit I wrote it which was a general message of congratulations and joy. I wasn't being specific, but I will absolutely be now as I can see how it can be misconstrued. I by no means meant to disrespect any of the incredible people who devote their time and energy aiding the peace process worldwide. I will qualify, that it is the first time in 'my' life, since I have started taking an interest in foreign affairs, that I have felt interested and inspired by a president/prime minister, and specifically, in the UK or US. Again, this is just in MY opinion and it is completely subjective in that respect. I am not taking pot shots at any past presidents or prime ministers, especially as I was too young or too unaware to understand, or pay attention to most, so even more specifically, I am talking about the events of last week. Nelson Mandela, the Dali Lama, Mother Teresa, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Thich Nhat Hanh, to name just a few EXCEPTIONAL and INSPIRATIONAL campaigners for peace and unity are a given, and I have the HIGHEST RESPECT for them all and anyone, whether on a large or small scale, who works for this cause.

This particluar blog experience has made me realize my real passion has nothing to do with the specific politics, but as I've mentioned in my new album notes, the hope of bringing people together, and peace " freedom from conflict or disagreement among people or groups of people". While considering this all, I did some research and stumbled upon 'theelders.org'. I hadn't heard of it before (Jimmy Carter and Mary Robinson are members – teach me not to pay attention!) and I'm going to contact them to see how I can get involved. So thanks for the reminder of how ineffective words can sometimes be, and here's to the practice of turning a seemingly negative into a positive.

I am very aware of what is going on in Darfur, the Congo, Zimbabwe (where one of my best friends lives), Kashmir where a family member lives (where Obama's administration might actually be pulling back from their involvement in peace talks). I only 'know' what I've read as I'm not there, but it is heinous, atrocious, and heart breaking. The level of destruction and devastation is obscene. War it is a deadly cycle, and as the years have gone by most victims are now civilians. I read today that during World War I, civilians made up fewer than 5% of all casualties, whereas today, 75% or more of those killed or wounded in wars are non-combatants. I know people tragically effected by war - I was with a family in NY on 9/11, who lost their father in the South Tower (my song 'You Will Make It' is in memory of David Berry who passed away that day). And people trying to help the process – a friend I've known since I was four, is currently serving in Afghanistan as a bomb defusal expert.

I 'know' a few things, I have beliefs, I don't want to argue over politics, I'm not here to change anyone's opinion, I am just sharing mine, it is my blog after all..! It is logical to me to hope for the best, rather than think the worst. That's how I look at things. I understand these are difficult times and emotions are high. I could choose to only blog about situations regarding and effecting the music industry or 'pop' world (zzzzz), and maybe I'll think twice now(!), but I hope this goes some way to negate any antagonism on my website.

Artists have frequently oversimplified things since the beginning of time. Music is for escapism, about touching emotions, and sometimes spreading joy, love and peace if that is the writers' inclination. As Bob Dylan once said "songs can't save the world", but I don't see why people shouldn't try. An old friend of mine once equated my optimism to children who still believe in Father Christmas (as we say back home), and that's fine with me. I'd listen to 'All you need is love' over a song about politics any day!

The future beckons so I won't be debating this any further, I'm a singer/songwriter after all and need to get back to the studio. Politics aside, have a wonderful week and I'll continue to support and encourage positive thoughts, and hope that we can come together to effect positive change for the whole world, not just our individual countries.

All the best,
Jem

I got an email this morning from www.avaaz.org explaining they are putting a flood of messages to Obama from around the world on a giant wall in Washington DC. They will go up in the next 48hrs to make the most of this historic unifying event. If you have a minute, perhaps you'd like to take a look at their website and everything going on.

This is what I wrote :


IT'S A NEW DAWN, IT'S A NEW DAY, IT'S A NEW LIFE FOR EVERYONE.
AND WE'RE FEELING GOOD!

Last night was a momentous occasion for America and the world. President Barack Obama, you are the first inspiring, humanitarian leader I've had the pleasure of seeing and believing in my lifetime. I am THRILLED at your appointment.

I am a 33yr old British citizen (Wales), residing in Los Angeles and felt honored to be a part of your country last night. I was not on the planet to support Martin Luther King and Gandhi but I feel their presence in you. I look forward to the change you will initiate, and seeing it through to completion. THANK YOU for taking on this vital role in such thorny times, and most importantly, for showing everyone the seemingly impossible is possible, you are an embodiment of that.

The tasks at hand are mighty, but we can get the world back on track together. We can bridge the divides; we can love one another as brothers and sisters, no matter what color, race, nationality, or creed. I know this is possible.

Your message is clear, and I for one concur and join you in this quest.

Happy Wednesday 5th November 2008 Mr. President.

All my love and support,
Jem



The atmosphere here is different today.
It is beautiful, people are happy, friendly and hopeful, we are united.

Obama's election has brought great hope to the world for the first time in a long time. America has shown the world they want change and one man has shown what can be achieved with faith, will and perseverance. Imagine what can be done if we all help effect change together with right action, the scale could be a millionfold.

The next phase is not going to be unproblematic, it is an overwhelming job Obama has undertaken, especially now we are all looking to him to fix everything, the pressure is great. But that's why he was elected. He's intelligent, determined, sharp, humorous, trusted, capable, and most importantly he has a heart. He will listen to the people, I believe that. It is likely to take baby steps until we see any real change, but if we are patient, supportive, have faith, and believe, we will see results.

This election is an incredible and necessary start for the next chapter, but as Avaaz.org says, the sharks are already starting to circle. Obama can't do it all alone. We have to stay involved, have to care, and he needs to continue to know what the people want. Furthermore, we must all do our share to help the world in any way we can.

It might seem a little crass but it's not unlike Star Wars, with the force and the dark side always looming. It is time to use the force everyone!

As you can tell I'm feeling incredibly passionate and enthused right now!
For the first time in my life there is an international figure promoting unity and peace. I will be watching this space.

To the future…
Jem x

Hi all, Happy Tuesday!

I've been wanting to write about the following story for a while now but have been a little caught up with album release stuff. I finally found some time today so here we are. Some of you may already have read or heard it as it's an exert from one of Dr. Wayne Dyers fantastic books. If not, you're in for a treat, a treat for the soul.

I love Dr. Dyer's take on things, and I caught this particular story in a talk he was giving for a PBS special, it is an accompaniment to his book 'The Power of Intention'. (I think they are still airing the special so keep an eye out, he is an awesome speaker). Anyway, it brought tears to my eyes and I immediately wanted to share it here :

In Brooklyn, New York, Chush is a school that caters to learning-disabled children. Some children remain in Chush for their entire school career, while others can be mainstreamed into conventional schools. At a Chush fundraiser dinner, the father of a Chush child delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he cried out, "Where is the perfection in my son, Shaya? Everything God does is done with perfection. But my child cannot understand things as other children do. My child cannot remember facts and figures as other children do. Where is God's perfection?" The audience was shocked by the question, pained by the father's anguish, and stilled by the piecing query.

"I believe," the father answered, "that when God brings a child like this into the world, the perfection that he seeks is in the way people react to this child." He then told the following story about his son, Shaya.

One afternoon Shaya and his father walked past a park where some boys Shaya knew were playing baseball. Shaya asked, "Do you think they'll let me play?" Shaya's father knew that his son was not at all athletic and that most boys would not want him on their team. But Shaya's father understood that if his son was chosen to play, it would give him a sense of belonging. Shaya's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shaya could play. The boy looked around for guidance from his teammates. Getting none, he took matters into his own hands and said, "We're losing by six runs, and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team, and we'll try to put him up to bat in the ninth inning."

Shaya's father was ecstatic as Shaya smiled broadly. Shaya was told to put on a glove and go out to play in center field. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shaya's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shaya's team scored again, and now had two outs and the bases loaded, with the potential winning run on base, Shaya was scheduled to be up. Would the team actually let Shaya bat at this juncture and give away their chance to win the game?

Surprisingly, Shaya was given the bat. Everyone knew that it was all but impossible because Shaya didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, let alone hit with it. However, as Shaya stepped up to the plate, the pitcher moved a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shaya could at least be able to make contact. The first pitch came in, and Shaya swung clumsily and missed. One of Shaya's teammates came up to Shaya, and together they held the bat and faced the pitcher waiting for the next pitch. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly toward Shaya. As the pitch came in, Shaya and his teammate swung the bat, and together they hit a slow ground ball to the pitcher. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could easily have thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shaya would have been out and that would have ended the game. Instead, the pitcher took the ball and threw it on a high arc to right field far beyond the reach of the first baseman. Everyone started yelling, "Shaya, run to first. Run to first." Never in his life had Shaya run to first. He scampered down the baseline wide eyed and startled. By the time he reached first base, the right-fielder had the ball. He could have thrown the ball to the second baseman who would tag out Shaya, who was still running.
But the right-fielder understood what the pitcher's intentions were, so he threw the ball high and far over the third baseman's head. Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second." Shaya ran toward second base as the runners ahead of him deliriously circled the bases toward home. As Shaya reached second base, the opposing shortstop ran to him, turned him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third." As Shaya rounded third, the boys from both teams ran behind him screaming, "Shaya, run home." Shaya ran home, stepped on the home plate, and all 18 boys lifted him on their shoulders and made him the hero, as he had just hit a "grand slam" and won the game for his team.

"That day," said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, "those 18 boys reached their level of God's perfection."

So beautiful.
Have an amazing, wonderfully fulfilling, happy, productive day!
Jem x

The new site is finally up and the new album is FINALLY OUT!!!

I'm writing to you from my studio in LA, looking at two framed vinyl records that started everything off – 'Pinky & Perky – Have a Party' which I sampled for the title track of my first album 'Finally Woken' and 'Les Swingle Singers – Jazz Sebastien Bach' a record from 1967, which I sampled for my first single 'They'. I also have a framed poster of my EP 'It All Starts Here…' which is one of my favorite pieces of artwork. It's a photograph of my sister Chloe, happily swinging around as a young girl, set against a beautiful backdrop of red-y/orange. The title of which becomes relevant again and again as life continues in motion…

So I hope you're enjoying the new album, I'm so glad it's finally out!

(As some of you might know from my blog – HELLO, HELLO, HELLO!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! - it was actually due out last year but ended up 'frozen' for quite a while).

The music industry has changed so much since my last record, it's like I've been away 500 years! There definitely seems to be a lot more worries in today's climate of shrinking sales etc. It's important to understand what's going on, but I have to say, it's not something I've allowed trouble me in the past, and I don't feel the need to worry about it now. 'A la' a lot of my lyrics, I know the best of us comes when we're happy, light, and inspired and that's where I like to keep my mind focused. The truth is, the people who matter the most are YOU. The people who consume the music, buy cds / records / downloads, love them, sing-a-long in cars, on walks, at work and at home (I do!), who go on the internet and spread the word etc. You are powerful, which is wicked! So I just wanted to tell you, I made this album for me and for you, and I'm very happy you're out there.

On this note, I'd like to apologize to everyone outside of the US as you might have noticed the album has not been released at the same time. It has been slightly delayed which was not intended and is not ideal but it's out of my hands (politics again, yawn…I probably shouldn't have called it my 'Empire Strikes Back' from the beginning, that's dark shit man..!)

It won't be long now though and I will post the date the minute I know. We have a great partner overseas so it's all gonna be superduper. It is a lovely package so I'm glad you'll get to see it soon too!

I hope you enjoy Down to Earth as much as Finally Woken, and THANK YOU SO MUCH for continuing to spread the word. As you will see, the new website is simple at present but I am branching out and in the process of building it into an amalgamation of lots of things, not solely for my music. As soon as the album's out everywhere I'll be doing some wicked competitions to keep in touch with you all here. They are artistic, fun, and suitable for everyone, so I hope they'll get your creative juices flowing!

Enjoy the new album, music and lyrics. It's SO lovely to read all your messages on my myspace and responses to the blogs. As always, huge thanks for all the love and support, and here's to happy music lovers everywhere! : )

Your Welsh friend,

Jem x

Thursday, August 21, 2008

I love when you hear something, read something or someone sends you a little ditty that resonates with you at the perfect moment in time, as if it's been written, spoken, sung - just for you. I think that's why I love all the creative mediums so much...
I watched one of the 'Iconoclast' programs today on the Sundance Channel featuring Paul Simon + Lorne Michaels and thought I'd share a lovely quote from it so it can continue to resonate further a field :

"It is a cardinal belief of mine, that you don't know when the best part of your life is about to begin…"
Lorne Michaels (Producer/Creator - Saturday Night Live)

Mr. Michaels goes on to say that we think it's going to be between 18 – 22 yrs because that's what we're brought up to believe, but basically nobody knows.

Very cool.

I would definitely concur and think it would be a crying shame if the best part of your life was over by 22..! What a terrible thought!

I met a friend of a friend at a wedding years ago who had been working in TV for 10yrs, at 30 he decided the career was not for him and wanted to try something new. He subsequently went out on a limb and studied to be a lawyer, which he now is, and has probably been for nearly the same amount of time. I love stories like this. Not many people invest that amount of time only to decide they want to try their hand at something else and actually do. Of course I can't bank on how happy he is being a lawyer, but hey, at least he didn't settle (no pun intended!)

Another great example is Louise Hay. I imagine she had no idea that the best part of her life was gonna happen much later than the traditional success curve often hammered home. She had an incredibly tough upbringing, and ploughed on regardless through her difficulties which eventually became the very things that led her to success. Her first book was published at age 58 in the 80's and was still, as of February 2008, on the New York Bestsellers list! On top of that she is actually self-published through her own publishing company, Hay House, which she decided to set up back then so she didn't have to explain and/or compromise her writing to fit the mold of what most publishers were interested in publishing back then. Very inspiring! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louise_Hay)

There are so many examples, I love it. Basically, best not to think we know anything about how anything's gonna turn out! Let's just hope the best is yet to come...

Before I go I cannot resist adding a few more wicked quotes for good measure :

"Follow your bliss and the doors will open where there were no doors before." Joseph Campbell

"Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." Goethe

"If you knew who walked beside you, at all times, on this path that you have chosen, you could never experience fear again."
A Course in Miracles

To finish, possibly my favorite quote ever :

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." Mahatma Gandhi

That's all folks!
Jem x

AT LAST, I'VE SEEN STEVIE LIVE IN CONCERT!!!

SO amazing. SO wonderful. What a dude. Finally, I can now rest.
I was filled with elation and let out a cry of joy at my friend's studio when I first heard Stevie was gonna be performing at the Hollywood Bowl. This was followed by an immediate cry of utter horror when I thought it conflicted with a wedding. Suffice to say, I was over the moon when I found out I had my dates confused and that I would be able to see the man himself - Stevie, my wonderful musical hero - in person! It was a month ago now, July 7th, but I've been as busy as a bee since then so this is the first chance I've had to share the experience…

I was grinning from ear to ear throughout the show, jumping up and down, clapping and singing along, dancing and being so moved, my heart was bursting. His voice was as good as ever! There were too many favorites to mention, although I will say "If It's Magic" was just magnificent. It was such an uplifting experience, all my friends were gushing after the show about how good the energy was. Looking around at the mixed crowd, Stevie reaffirmed to us all the power of music and the unity and love it brings with its positive energy.

For those of you who don't know, Stevie is not only an extremely gifted musician but he's also a very quick, funny guy. After laughing at the audience for our bad singing (well hopefully not me…but yes, as a collective we were pretty slow and pitchy!), he summoned his son on stage to sing a song (also a wonderful singer, as was his daughter). Before his son began, Stevie asked the audience (and his son) if anyone had ever made 'funky love' to his music! He felt he might be justified in qualifying for the Guinness Book of Records for "most played music during love sessions" - he might be right, all I know is his son was blushing..!

Anyway, pure joy, and at the end he gave a heartfelt speech and mentioned Obama:
"I don't care if he's purple, yellow, or green, I just want someone to bring us all together." Well said Stevie. Right at the very end he also exclaimed : "Don't be afraid to win, because you can, and you will". It wasn't clear if this was intended for Obama but regardless, I think this is a wonderfully simple message for everyone. I've been told fear of success is surprisingly as common as fear of failure. I think people get freaked out when suddenly everything's going swimmingly and subconsciously sabotage themselves! So nice one Stevie, here's to allowing ourselves to have everything we want, to dream big, to stop creating obstacles and drama, and basically get out of our own pea brain way..! ;)

The show was super inspiring and uplifting except for sadly one very poignant lyric in Master Blaster - which I used to cover on tour – "Peace has come to Zimbabwe" which is unfortunately very far from being the case right now. One of my best friends and his wife live there and it is crumbling and no one is taking any notice. If any of you are interested, the following website can help send letters to your heads of state about many global issues including Zimbabwe, it's informative, easy to use, and the least we can do to show we care, so when you have a minute check out: www.avaaz.org
(You can also sign up for the Olympic handshake at www.avaaz.org/en/handshake!)

Hope you like the new album cover, I am super-psyched!
(I'll tell you about the crazy photoshoot another time, lets just say it was like something out of the sandstorm scene cut from Return of the Jedi, but that's another story…)

Onwards and upwards, Happy Friday!
Jem x

How about it folks! AWESOME, AWESOME, AWESOME! I loved the movie!

Go see it if you haven't already and you won't be disappointed. We weren't gonna put the song on the soundtrack originally as it was a little in front of my album release but how could we possibly resist..? We couldn't, an amazing opportunity, a great film, a great cast, I am extremely happy to be involved with it all.

My brother and sister went with my Mum in London (my sister is a fan of the show but for my brother there was really no choice, it was mandatory!). He confessed he was dreaming up a whole covert operation which involved gaffer tape and rope incase my Mom (for the US contingent!), jumped up mid-film screaming :
"THIS IS MY DAUGHTER'S SONG, ISN'T IT WONDERFUL!" etc etc, possibly followed by "SHE TAKES AFTER ME YOU KNOW!"
Fortunately she remained calm…ish!

The cute thing is years ago when I was trying to get a record deal I was living in the middle of nowhere with my Mum, beautiful countryside but nothing to do outside of a nice walk and my little bedroom studio. So one Thursday evening my Mum introduced me to Sex and the City. I'd avoided it for a while before then because it had initially annoyed me the way everyone was raving that every woman in the world was depicted in these four women in the show etc, and I thought that was a bit ridiculous. So I had built up a bit of an aversion to it without even checking it out (an interesting lesson there), and the first time I saw it I secretly thought…this is actually pretty good, but of course in my own stubborn little way I didn't mention a word. Then the next week came along and I verbally commended it to my Mum! From then on I really looked forward to it and we wouldn't miss an episode (unless I was dragging my bags around London for meetings trying to get signed). So it was pretty special getting the song in the film as it reminds me of some lovely mother and daughter time, watching the show and conversing over cheese, wine, cobber (a type of bread that for some reason can only be found in a tiny shop in Penarth, Wales, that we all fight over when we're home) and marmite!

Anyway, I came out of the film in Santa Monica, LA and it took me back to watching all the episodes in the sticks in England and wanting to run straight to a trendy bar in fabulous clothes to drink cocktails with the girls! Which must officially make me a lady (I was always a bit of a tomboy) now, I've been converted and just want to wear ridiculous dresses and heels. I think I'll have to satisfy this urge in my new video. As a friend said recently, "Jem, it's one thing moving out of your box a little, but you've jump into another stratosphere" (this was directly after I showcased the most stupidly expensive ridiculous giant red hat I bought straight after watching the film..!)

Ah well, no moderation, story of my life…
Hope you're all doing super duper!

Jemxxx

Thank you SO much for all your kind words, it’s extremely inspiring and rewarding to know you’re all enjoying the music! I’m happy to say that, after some fantastic hibernation time, I’m ready to get back to bizness - regenerated, rejuvenated, and ready to rock. I couldn’t be more excited about the new album and I sincerely hope you’re all gonna love it too!

Apologies for my rather ’behind’ websites, before anyone goes blaming my Welshness (not behind in the rugby are we!) the explanation is below. Reflecting on it today however, I must say I think sometimes there’s nothing wrong with being a little behind, it gives you a chance to breathe. A friend once said about the movie business: it’s a marathon, not a sprint, and I think that can equally be applied to both the music business and life in general…

So, my ’Empire Strikes Back’.
That’s not the title btw, wouldn’t want Lucas on my case unless he’s offering me a part..! With 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...not to mention Yoda’s influence of course! I won’t say any more as I want it to be a delicious surprise for you all, just hoping to get you as excited as I am about the release! It’ll be dropping end of summer so keep your eyes and ears open.

Incase you’ve been curious, there have been a few hold-ups over the last year which I can happily say are all sorted now. My label decided to buy all their artists back from SonyBmg last year, so I was ’frozen’ for quite a while, this included my website etc. Things are now full steam ahead and I’ve become label mates with the extraordinarily talented Radiohead - so no complaints here! It has been proven to me time and time again that the universe is in absolute perfect order and we just need to get aligned. So I’m looking forward to trusting that, going with the flow, and enjoying the ride!

I’ll check in again soon, in the meantime if you want to hear some GREAT new music, check out my brother’s awesome project ’Glass Pear’ on myspace and also my second collaboration ’Ecouter’ with the wonderful Carmen Rizzo on his new album ’Ornament of an Imposter’.

Thanks again for all the love and good wishes, I truly appreciate your support. It’s a real honor to know that people are being moved by the songs and getting such enjoyment from the music.

Happy 2008 and keep your sunny side up!
Jem