What up y'all?

Ok so I've been in the States way too long but not to worry, like Hopkins and Tom Jones I still haven't lost my accent!

Anyway, this is a super quick one to say hi and send you all lots of good wishes :)

Thanks for all your messages, especially all you guys in Mexico, I hope you have been able to find the cd by now! I'll write again soon to be more specific about everything that's going on, my plate is very full I must say, and all is superduper!

One of the most exciting things is being back in the studio again. I've decided to record a 'piano' album kind of side project that will be out later this year, doing quite a few covers, can't wait to share it with you all :)

I'm also thinking about possibly starting twitter, to send nice messages and sentiments that come my way or out of my mind, to anyone who might be in need of a positive arrow into their world from time to time. I'm so not one to want to spend much time near technological equipment though, unless it makes music ;) That said, I have a feeling it could be a good thing so we'll see, I'll keep you posted.

Other than that I'll leave you with a quote I read today in a box a friend gave me with soap in it, you might have heard it before :

"The best way to cheer yourself is to try to cheer someone else up"     

Mark Twain

I just looked this up online to check I had it right because I can't be arsed to walk next door (lazy!), and I saw this one too :

"Let us so live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry"

Mark Twain

Awesome. 

Enjoy the days guys,

Jem x

P.S. Is it me or has Eva Cassidy got the best voice in the Universe?

P.P.S. Because people keep telling me my wikipedia it's incorrect, I suppose there's no time like the present... it is indeed my birthday this month, next week actually, could I really be anything other than a stubborn Taurean bull to get this far ;)

That’s right folks. I recently recorded a cover of Coldplay’s ‘Yellow’ for a Starbucks Valentines Day Compilation out now in the US. It’s in all the stores and on itunes too so check it out if you fancy hearing my slower stripped down version.
I am really happy with how it turned out, very beautiful methinks. I produced the song and enlisted the great talents of Jeff Atmajian on piano. (Jeff informed me during the process that I could give Streisand a run for her money with all my notes, I took that as a compliment..!)

Hope you like!
Jem x
P.S. I will find out if and when it is going to be released worldwide but in the meantime maybe it'll end up on youtube for all to see/hear :)

Hi all, just got back from a wicked and crazy promo tour in Europe where I did many many interviews, and lots of singing (as you can hear from the state of my voice), and a slamming DJ set at my album launch party, lots of fun!
Here are two of the Radio 2 interviews that are still archived at the mo :

One is with the lovely Zoe Ball (Mrs Fatboy Slim for those of you who aren’t in the UK and aware of her super talents), who I haven’t seen for SO long. Not since a party on a rooftop in Miami back in 2002 I think, which was actually the week KCRW starting playing my first ever demo in LA! She is standing in for Dermot O’Leary :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00hbsqh/b00hbsmq/Dermot_OLeary_07_02_2009/
(Think it’s around 2hrs 10minutes)

The other is with Steve Wright avec my Mum who loved every minute outside the booth! :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/wright/
(Click on “Tuesday” on the middle right side of the page. The interview is around 2hrs35mins in).

Hope you’re all doing great.
More updates to come!
Jem x

Just a quickie to let you know my brothers wicked wicked wicked band 'Glass Pear' have one of their super duper songs featured in Grey's Anatomy tonight, January 15th! I think it's 'Last Day of your Life' which is tres beautiful. You can also check the music out on itunes (search Glass Pear), they are all fantastically catchy melodic brilliantly sculpted heart felt songs! For those of you who might not know, my brother Justin (Yestyn in Welsh), co-wrote '24' and 'Missing You' with me on my first album, and 'Down To Earth', 'You Will Make It', and 'How Would You Like It' on the new one. Some of the new tracks he's been sending recently are insanely good, one is as if he's channeled the late great Jeff Buckley and that's saying something. I am so proud! One of my favorites on the itunes EP is 'Wild Place' which I put on my Imeem playlist (check out www.imeem.com/jem). Anyway, if you're watching listen out in the show, and on itunes you'll see a rather sultry picture of him on a London underground (subway) platform! I'll be there soon! Thanks for reading and have a GREAT day! Jem x

Some more Down To Earth release dates, not long now! IRELAND - Fri 30 January, UK - Mon 2 February, SWEDEN - Wed 4 February, PORTUGAL - Mon 16 February, POLAND - Mon 16 February, DENMARK - Mon 23 February, GERMANY - Fri 27 February, AUSTRIA - Fri 27 February, SWITZERLAND - Fri 27 February, HOLLAND - Fri 27 February, NORWAY - Mon 2 March, FRANCE - Tues 3 March, FINLAND - Wed 4 March, ITALY - Fri 6 March. OUT NOW IN : USA - ATO Records, CANADA - Maple Music Recordings, JAPAN - P-Vine Records, SOUTH AFRICA - Just Music. Thanks for all the support y'all, looking forward to Europe in Feb :) Jem x

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