New Music: interview with Gemma Ray
July 19, 2010
I first discovered Gemma Ray's music when I saw the haunting video for "100Mph (in 2nd gear)". I watched it over and over as I realized this is someone whose music and overall artistic appeal is extremely intriguing. This singer-songwriter from Essex admits her love for 50's music and her voice and guitar do have a certain vintage garage-sound raw clarity. While this was not her first album, Gemma Ray really broke through with Lights out Zoltar, out in 2009 on Bronzerat Records, with a broad range of styles represented - 50's, 60's, jazz, country - it's a treat. This was the album that featured the captivating film-noir "100 mph (in 2nd gear)". Gemma's latest album - It's a Shame about Gemma Ray is a collection of covers - songs she loves that she turned into her own. It's unconventional and spur-of-the-moment, and a beautiful take on great songs like Buddy Holly's "Everyday" and Memphis Minnie's "Looking the World Over" - my favorites from the 16-song set. There is something dark and lonesome in her voice, and added with the brilliant guitar skills, Gemma Ray is definitely someone to watch. I asked her a few questions on her music and history in this interview.
Is there a song or record that would describe you?
"It's a Shame About (Gemma) Ray".
How did you get started in music?
I grew up making things out of found objects and drawing and around the age of 14 I started making songs out of a beaten up guitar instead. I made up my own chords and style of playing and the obsession grew from there.
What's the first record you ever bought? Which one do you go to again and again?
I'm not sure what the first record was I bought, I think it was Madonna Greatest Hits album or something - but my big sister had a Neneh Cherry album which I learned all the words to, and she also lent me the first Portishead album which felt like home when I heard it at a young age. The latter is something I still can listen to whatever the weather, and the former I only recently remembered loving as a kid and I want to get in on vinyl now to see if I still feel it!
Do you use any personal experiences in your songs? What's an example?
I'm sure they have fragments of personal experience in some way or another, but I don't write lyrics that are too autobiographical and obvious - I prefer songs to take on their own ambiguity for other people to make a home out of.
When did you first discover guitar? Do you write your own music and lyrics?
My uncle gave me a beaten up classical guitar when I was 13 or 14 which I learned to hammer out basic sounds from. When I was 15 my dad found me an old amp and electric guitar (in a skip I think) - I promptly found the reverb button and cranked it up11. I remember being mesmerised by playing a top e over and over in my bedroom.
I write my own music and lyrics but "It's a Shame About Gemma Ray" is a covers album so the songs are re-workings of the original tracks.
What was it like working on your latest album, "It's a Shame about Gemma Ray"? How long did it take?
It was documentation of 3 days in my friends' studio in New York over Chrismas 2009 and New Year 2010. It was very focused because I recorded it all live in one or two takes and I wanted to capture the moment and spirit of the moment without the baggage and expectations of recording an album of originals. It was great not to have an agenda and to do recording just for the hell of it!
What's your favorite track on it and why?
Maybe the Buddy Holly track, because I love recording harmonies and turning songs on their head. It's how I remember feeling when listening to my Buddy Holly Greatest hits as a teeneager.
Do you remember the first concert you ever played? What's different now?
It was in my local pub in Essex (The Rising Sun) with a band I had with my friend Claire. Our mums were in the front row - very weird. We thought we were making melodic pop songs but due to our tuning issues we were compared to Sonic Youth which with hindsight wasn't a bad thing!
How do you decide on the set for each concert? Do you vary it and why?
I think on some days, certain songs jump up and down in your head waving their hand in the air asking to be played, and sometimes they don't so I just try to play what feels right at the time to keep things fresh.
What's your favorite (kind of) venue to perform at?
Small, dark and seedy and full of glamourous secret agents and spies.
Which one of your previous albums has a special place in your heart?
I don't think I will have the perspective to say which one has the most special place in my heart until I'm at least 80! It takes a lot of time and space to see a record for what it is after you've made it and it's still blurry now. I'm too busy working on the next one to get too precious about anything I've done so far!
How have you changed as a musician since you started?
Yes! I would stop making music if I didn't change as a musician every day - change is everything.
What's next for you?
My next album which I am recording around the world. I started in Australia in March, and am doing some more in Norway on the edge of the arctic circle in a few weeks and then in South Africa in August. I can't wait!
You can find more information about Gemma Ray here.