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| Jem |
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"When people say they really want to be famous, I think, Oh no, don't say that! Because it implies weird things. It's like, you've always wanted people to look at you. That's why I came to it late. I didn't have the urge to run out and say, 'everyone look at me.'"
-Jem
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| Behind the strength of the haunting track "They" and the remake of "Maybe I'm Amazed," which was featured on FOX's The O.C., Jem went from virtual unknown to up-and-coming celebrity in 2004. Her debut album Finally Woken was among the Associated Press' Top 10 albums of 2004 and, although she was snubbed for a Grammy in 2005, Jem is one of the most promising genre-fusing artists we've heard in years. |
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| Combining her gentle vocals with a funky range of electronica-inspired beats, Jem has created a niche for herself in the music industry. The Welsh singer, whose voice is often mistaken for Dido's (of "Thank You" fame), broke out in 2004 with a fresh sound and, as such, her rise was one of the coolest stories of the year. |
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Born in Cardiff, Wales, Jemma Griffiths was a natural singer and songwriter. Without formal training and with little need for encouragement, Jem -- as she was known -- started penning lyrics by the age of 13. She kept close ties to music throughout her secondary school years and then moved to Brighton, England, to study law at the University of Sussex.
During her university years, Jem was able to get her feet wet in the music industry. She began with club and festival promotions and then became a DJ agent, booking various talents in and around Brighton. With more and more contacts coming in, Jem was able to help establish Marine Parade, a local DJ label.
Thanks to Fatboy Slim's advice (she had helped the "Brit hop" producer and artist while he was performing in the UK) and her own inspiration, Jem finally decided that it was time to try her hand at making an album. In November 1999, she quit her job and moved back to Wales, secluding herself at home in a tiny studio. Working hard at songwriting and production, she made four demos. |
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© Steve Granitz
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