Word & Music: Jem

We are attempting a new series of articles, loosely titled Words & Music. Each week, we will highlight a musician or author’s work that has caught our eye.

Beginning with Music, I want to focus on a young singer/songwriter, Jemma Griffiths, aka, Jem. My daughter brought Jem to my attention when she heard her song, 24, in the film Ultraviolet. I liked the song so much that I had to do some research. In listening to more of her music, I think I’ve found a new artist to enjoy. I was also thinking that I’d like to hear more of her songs in some television shows, since music has become more of an extra character in many shows today. Then I discovered that, in fact, Jem’s songs have already been featured in quite a few shows and in films.

Jem was born in Penarth, Wales, a small town near the Welsh capital, Cardiff. She began singing and writing songs at the age of thirteen, but pursued law instead at Sussex University. However, music had already gotten hold of her and she spent less time at studies, and picked up a DJ job. While she ultimately did receive her degree in law, the music industry was taking up more and more of her time.

Jem’s solo career began when an L.A. radio station played a demo of her song, “Finally Woken”. It became the most requested song and landed in the top five played artists. This landed her a contract with Dave Matthews’ ATO label. The rest is kismet!

Jem’s songs have been featured in television shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, The OC, One Tree Hill, Crossing Jordan, Six Feet Under, Smallville, 90210, Damages and Gossip Girl. “Come On Closer” was featured in the trailer for the film Closer. You heard “It’s Amazing” in Sex in the City: The Movie, and “Once in Every Lifetime” in Eragon.

Jem’s music runs from rock to electronica to trip-hop, and can get you humming along, tapping your toes or mellowing out, as with “They”, my personal favorite. Her first album, Finally Woken, debuted in 2004, followed by Down to Earth in 2008. There is a new album in the works, but no release date is known yet.

I hope to hear much more from Jem in the near future. If you’re looking for something new, try her music out! Watch this video for starters.