Gemma ray
Encyclopedia
Gemma Ray is a Singer-songwriter
from Basildon
, Essex
. Her music is frequently described as Pop- Noir, though her music is hard to set in any one genre; she considers herself primarily describes herself as a torch singer
who can't help writing pop songs. She signed to independent label Bronzerat Records
in 2008 and went on to share the stage with artists such as Amy Winehouse
, Seasick Steve
, and Charlemagne
, as well as touring Canada with Joel Plaskett
. She won an Independent Music Award for Best Eclectic album 'Lights Out Zoltar!' in 2009. She currently resides in Berlin
.
, the daughter of a car mechanic, Gemma Ray was raised in nearby town Billericay without any obvious musical influences. She played violin from the age of 6-11 reaching Grade 7, and then from the age of 14 picked up the guitar. She left school at 15 with no interest in going to university or having a specific career, however after being given and old Sound City amp from her father she began writing her own material.
She soon moved to London and started playing with friends, and recorded 3 self-released albums under the name 'The Gemma Ray Ritual'. Her band consisted of a rotating cast of musicians and was described as having ‘too many ideas’ which often was the reason for Blues
, Country
, Garage
, Folk-pop and Psychedelia epics. She released the last 7" from this period of time on the label of her long time collaborator Andrew Zammit on Bronzerat Records
. A large body of work from this period remains unreleased.
This period ended in misfortune, with the gradual onset of ill health (which was never fully diagnosed but was considered by doctors to be a combination of blood poisoning and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
). This is documented by an as yet unreleased recording called 'The Sick Sessions'- 10 songs written and recorded whilst on tramadol
and hinted at what was to come from Gemma when left to her own devices without the backing of a band. A misinformed decision to tour with then label-mate Seasick Steve
exacerbated her illness and she retreated back to being hospitalised and then housebound, consequently recording her debut solo album 'The Leader' (recorded in the London home of Michael J Sheehy who co-produced it), released on Bronzerat Records
in 2008. The album received a warm critical reception in the UK and Germany.
Within 9 Months of 'The Leader' release, Gemma had written, recorded and released 'Lights Out Zoltar!' in May 2009, again with Michael J Sheehy. This album received international critical acclaim and resulted in a string of Eurpepan and US dates. Whilst touring 'Lights Out Zoltar!' she ended up at NY Hed Studios in Manhattan
as a guest of Matt Verta Ray of Heavy Trash
, which resulted in an album of 16 cover songs released in April 2010, titled It's A Shame About Gemma Ray'. She went on to appear at SXSW, Rockpalast
, Canadian Music Week
, Zurich Open Air Festival, Orange Blossom Special
, and opening for Mott The Hoople
, The Low Anthem
, Lambchop (band)
and Kitty Daisy and Lewis.
In August 2010 Gemma Ray toured South Africa
(including an appearance at Oppikoppi
) and appeared on reality TV Show 'Jam Sandwich', which culmintaed in a musical collaboration with rapper JR
.
In November 2010 Gemma collaborated with the band Sparks
by covering two of their tracks, which they in turn covered. The results will be released on 7" and will also appear as bonus tracks on her forthcoming album 'Island Fire’. Much of 2011 was spent finalizing the album “Island Fire”. She also toured Europe with Kitty, Daisy & Lewis, had a headline tour of Italy, plus played shows with Grinderman
and Mick Harvey. In 2011 Gemma also started work on an album of ‘fantasy soundtracks’, recorded in Berlin
with Thomas Wydler
of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
and Rory More of Rumer
. A taster of the new album was released as a limited edition 10” in October 2011 and featured the songs 'Runaway' and 'Rescue Me', and also the missing title track of 'Lights Out Zoltar!'.
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
from Basildon
Basildon
Basildon is a town located in the Basildon District of the county of Essex, England.It lies east of Central London and south of the county town of Chelmsford...
, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
. Her music is frequently described as Pop- Noir, though her music is hard to set in any one genre; she considers herself primarily describes herself as a torch singer
Torch Singer
Torch Singer is a 1933 film made by Paramount Pictures, directed by Alexander Hall and George Somnes, and starring Claudette Colbert, Ricardo Cortez and David Manners and Lyda Roberti.The screenplay was written by Lenore J...
who can't help writing pop songs. She signed to independent label Bronzerat Records
Bronzerat Records
Bronzerat Records are a UK based Record label. The label was created in 2006 to release music by singer songwriter Gemma Ray . The label then signed Seasick Steve who went on to sell hundreds of thousands of records in the UK and Europe and played on...
in 2008 and went on to share the stage with artists such as Amy Winehouse
Amy Winehouse
Amy Jade Winehouse was an English singer-songwriter known for her powerful deep contralto vocals and her eclectic mix of musical genres including R&B, soul and jazz. Winehouse's 2003 debut album, Frank, was critically successful in the UK and was nominated for the Mercury Prize...
, Seasick Steve
Seasick Steve
Steven Gene Wold, commonly known as Seasick Steve, is an American blues musician. He plays guitars, and sings, usually about his early life doing casual work.-Childhood and early life:...
, and Charlemagne
Charlemagne
Charlemagne was King of the Franks from 768 and Emperor of the Romans from 800 to his death in 814. He expanded the Frankish kingdom into an empire that incorporated much of Western and Central Europe. During his reign, he conquered Italy and was crowned by Pope Leo III on 25 December 800...
, as well as touring Canada with Joel Plaskett
Joel Plaskett
Joel Plaskett is a Canadian rock musician originally from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. He grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia and now resides across the harbour in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia...
. She won an Independent Music Award for Best Eclectic album 'Lights Out Zoltar!' in 2009. She currently resides in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
.
History
Born in EssexEssex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
, the daughter of a car mechanic, Gemma Ray was raised in nearby town Billericay without any obvious musical influences. She played violin from the age of 6-11 reaching Grade 7, and then from the age of 14 picked up the guitar. She left school at 15 with no interest in going to university or having a specific career, however after being given and old Sound City amp from her father she began writing her own material.
She soon moved to London and started playing with friends, and recorded 3 self-released albums under the name 'The Gemma Ray Ritual'. Her band consisted of a rotating cast of musicians and was described as having ‘too many ideas’ which often was the reason for Blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
, Country
Country
A country is a region legally identified as a distinct entity in political geography. A country may be an independent sovereign state or one that is occupied by another state, as a non-sovereign or formerly sovereign political division, or a geographic region associated with a previously...
, Garage
Garage
Garage may refer to:Vehicles:*Automobile repair shop, where vehicles are serviced and repaired.*Parking and storage :**Parking garage, a building serving as a public parking facility.**Garage , a building or a residence for storing a car....
, Folk-pop and Psychedelia epics. She released the last 7" from this period of time on the label of her long time collaborator Andrew Zammit on Bronzerat Records
Bronzerat Records
Bronzerat Records are a UK based Record label. The label was created in 2006 to release music by singer songwriter Gemma Ray . The label then signed Seasick Steve who went on to sell hundreds of thousands of records in the UK and Europe and played on...
. A large body of work from this period remains unreleased.
This period ended in misfortune, with the gradual onset of ill health (which was never fully diagnosed but was considered by doctors to be a combination of blood poisoning and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome is the most common name used to designate a significantly debilitating medical disorder or group of disorders generally defined by persistent fatigue accompanied by other specific symptoms for a minimum of six months, not due to ongoing exertion, not substantially...
). This is documented by an as yet unreleased recording called 'The Sick Sessions'- 10 songs written and recorded whilst on tramadol
Tramadol
Tramadol hydrochloride is a centrally acting synthetic opioid analgesic used in treating moderate pain. The drug has a wide range of applications, including treatment for restless legs syndrome and fibromyalgia...
and hinted at what was to come from Gemma when left to her own devices without the backing of a band. A misinformed decision to tour with then label-mate Seasick Steve
Seasick Steve
Steven Gene Wold, commonly known as Seasick Steve, is an American blues musician. He plays guitars, and sings, usually about his early life doing casual work.-Childhood and early life:...
exacerbated her illness and she retreated back to being hospitalised and then housebound, consequently recording her debut solo album 'The Leader' (recorded in the London home of Michael J Sheehy who co-produced it), released on Bronzerat Records
Bronzerat Records
Bronzerat Records are a UK based Record label. The label was created in 2006 to release music by singer songwriter Gemma Ray . The label then signed Seasick Steve who went on to sell hundreds of thousands of records in the UK and Europe and played on...
in 2008. The album received a warm critical reception in the UK and Germany.
Within 9 Months of 'The Leader' release, Gemma had written, recorded and released 'Lights Out Zoltar!' in May 2009, again with Michael J Sheehy. This album received international critical acclaim and resulted in a string of Eurpepan and US dates. Whilst touring 'Lights Out Zoltar!' she ended up at NY Hed Studios in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
as a guest of Matt Verta Ray of Heavy Trash
Heavy Trash
Heavy Trash is an American rockabilly band based in New York City, formed by Jon Spencer of The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and Matt Verta-Ray . The band's music draws from an eclectic mix of genres, including rock & roll, blues, alternative country, Americana and garage punk...
, which resulted in an album of 16 cover songs released in April 2010, titled It's A Shame About Gemma Ray'. She went on to appear at SXSW, Rockpalast
Rockpalast
Rockpalast is a German music television show that broadcasts live on German television station Westdeutscher Rundfunk . Rockpalast started in 1974 and continues to this day. Hundreds of rock and jazz bands have performed on Rockpalast...
, Canadian Music Week
Canadian Music Week
Canadian Music Week is an industry conference and music festival held over four days in various venues throughout Toronto, Ontario, Canada.-History:...
, Zurich Open Air Festival, Orange Blossom Special
Orange Blossom Special
Orange Blossom Special may refer to:* Orange Blossom Special , was a passenger train operated by the Seaboard Air Line Railway* Orange Blossom Special , by Ervin T. Rouse* Orange Blossom Special , an album by Johnny Cash...
, and opening for Mott The Hoople
Mott the Hoople
Mott the Hoople were a British rock band with strong R&B roots, popular in the glam rock era of the early to mid 1970s. They are popularly known for the song "All the Young Dudes", written for them by David Bowie and appearing on their 1972 album of the same name.-The early years:Mott The Hoople...
, The Low Anthem
The Low Anthem
The Low Anthem is an American indie folk band from Providence, Rhode Island, formed in 2006. The band consists of multi-instrumentalists Ben Knox Miller, Jeff Prystowsky and Jocie Adams, and rose to prominence with the re-release of its third studio album, Oh My God, Charlie Darwin, in 2009.In...
, Lambchop (band)
Lambchop (band)
Lambchop, originally Posterchild, is a band from Nashville, Tennessee. Lambchop is loosely associated with the alternative country genre...
and Kitty Daisy and Lewis.
In August 2010 Gemma Ray toured South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
(including an appearance at Oppikoppi
Oppikoppi
Oppikoppi is the name of a music festival held in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, near the mining town of Northam. The festival started off focusing mostly on rock music, but gradually added more genres and now plays host to a complete mixed bag of genres...
) and appeared on reality TV Show 'Jam Sandwich', which culmintaed in a musical collaboration with rapper JR
JR
Jr. is the abbreviation for Junior.For articles named Junior;, see Junior JR may also stand for:-People:* Jackie Robinson , an American Major League Baseball player...
.
In November 2010 Gemma collaborated with the band Sparks
Sparks
-People:*Sparks , people with Sparks as family name or given name*Sparks , a character in Enter the Matrix and The Matrix Revolutions-Places:United States*Sparks, Georgia*Sparks, Kansas*Sparks, Maryland*Sparks, Nebraska...
by covering two of their tracks, which they in turn covered. The results will be released on 7" and will also appear as bonus tracks on her forthcoming album 'Island Fire’. Much of 2011 was spent finalizing the album “Island Fire”. She also toured Europe with Kitty, Daisy & Lewis, had a headline tour of Italy, plus played shows with Grinderman
Grinderman
Grinderman is an alternative rock band formed by Nick Cave , Warren Ellis , Martyn P. Casey and Jim Sclavunos in London, United Kingdom in 2006...
and Mick Harvey. In 2011 Gemma also started work on an album of ‘fantasy soundtracks’, recorded in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
with Thomas Wydler
Thomas Wydler
Thomas Wydler , is a Swiss musician best known for being a core member of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, of which he has been a drummer since 1985. Prior to joining them, he was a member of the experimental German band Die Haut. Wydler has been present on almost every Bad Seeds album, making his...
of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are an Australian alternative rock band, formed in Melbourne in 1983. The band is fronted by Nick Cave and has featured international personnel throughout their career.-Formation and early releases :...
and Rory More of Rumer
Rumer
Rumer may refer to:*Rumer , British singer*Rumer Willis , actress, daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore*Rumer Godden , English author*Yuriy Rumer , Russian physicist also known as Georg Rumer...
. A taster of the new album was released as a limited edition 10” in October 2011 and featured the songs 'Runaway' and 'Rescue Me', and also the missing title track of 'Lights Out Zoltar!'.
Singles
| Year | Title |
| 2008 | "Hard Shoulder"
|
| 2008 | "Rise of the Runts"
|
| 2009 | "100mph (In 2nd Gear)"
|
| 2012 | "Gemma Ray Sings Sparks"
|
EPs
| Year | Title |
| 2011 | "Runaway"
|
Albums
| Year | Title |
| 2008 | The Leader
|
| 2009 | Lights Out Zoltar!
|
| 2010 | It's a Shame About Gemma Ray
|
| 2012 | Island Fire
|
| 2012 | Down Baby Down
|