Last updated: 17 November 2008
Penarth singer Jem broke into the bigtime courtesy of the hit US series The O.C.
While studying at Sussex University in Brighton, Jem first became involved in the music industry, promoting club nights with Fatboy Slim and other Skint artists, and the Essential Festivals, working for Big Beat Boutique and becoming a DJ agent. During this time she co-created and ran the breaks label Marine Parade, but felt she was neglecting her own music.
I think I'm too normal to be doing this job. I'm not f***ed up enough like some rock star type people. I don't think you have to be a crazy, depressed person or an alcoholic to be artistic.
Jem
In 1999 Jem returned to Wales and set about recording her own songs on a portable studio. Four demos later, she was ready for the next step.
That step was a move to London, which led to a songwriting collaboration with electronic producer Guy Sigsworth, who had previously worked with Bjork. Together they wrote the song Nothing Fails, which was later picked up by Madonna for use on her American Life album.
Jem also travelled to Brooklyn to team up with hip hop producer Ge-ology, and in autumn 2002 met her co-producer Yoad Nevo. Together they worked on developing Jem's distinctive recording sound, fusing together diverse elements to form something distinct and new.
Jem's song Finally Woken was picked up by the influential Los Angeles radio station KCRW 89.9. Its music director Nic Harcourt created a stir by playing the song, then still in its demo form. Her songs quickly became among the most listener-requested at the station, though Jem was still without a record deal.
Not for long, though, as Dave Matthews' ATO label signed the singer. Jem's debut EP, the aptly-titled It All Starts Here, was released in October 2003, followed by her first full-length album Finally Woken in March 2004.
In 2004 she appeared in teen American TV drama The OC, performing a cover version of Paul McCartney's Maybe I'm Amazed. She performed her first UK show, a sell out at the Cargo in London, in December 2004. Her debut single, They, was released in March 2005 and reached number six in the UK charts.
She followed that single with three more from her debut: Just A Ride, Wish I and 24. All three were big chart singles, and continued her success in America, which snapped up copies of the album hand over fist.
In February 2009, she released her second album, Down To Earth, featuring the singles It's Amazing, Crazy and And So I Pray.
