Biografie
Essex born-and-bred beauty Gemma Ray is a singer-songwriter with a difference: her songs beguile you in the same way classic melodies do, yet somehow defy comparison. The heart-on-sleeve craftswomanship of her tunes allows full rein to roller-coasting intensity and twisted humour as she wraps her velvety vocals around little gems of pop, country, blues and gospel-inflected beauty. http://www.myspace.com/gemmaraymusic http://www.bronzerat.com/gemmaray Bronzerat Records is very pleased to announce the release of GEMMA RAY's new album, LIGHTS OUT ZOLTAR! Released in the UK 7th September 2009. Such is the breathtaking scope of this album that its epic multi-layered sound has, you assume, the dedicated workforce of a full blown orchestra behind it, yet this beguiling mix of pop, country and blues is the work of Gemma Ray at home with co-producer Michael J Sheehy. Spontaneous and uncontrived, Gemma is a natural product of her influences and while Lights Out Zoltar! is an eclectic work of broad ambition, never does it fail to sound anything other than the work of Gemma Ray - from the latin-tinged pop noir of 100mph (in 2nd Gear), to the surfed-up swagger of Fist of a Flower, the rollicking shanty-like (You Got Me In A) Death Roll to the mesmeric folk horror of If You Want to Rock and Roll. Gemma's first album, "The Leader" though critically acclaimed, was fraught with setbacks. Recorded against a backdrop of illness, tours were cancelled and for the sake of her sanity the only way to abate the frustration was to keep recording and writing at home in London. Despite the circumstances, the darkness of her songwriting is seamlessly interlaced with humour, playfulness and beauty throughout. Make no mistake, doubters and stragglers will be converted and convinced by the kick-ass live show in which Gemma (now back on track and in good health) and her band take the songs to an even heightened level of hypnotism and drama. Recent shows saw audiences captivated by Gemma and her band, not least when she plays slide guitar not with a slide, but with a very intimidating "Psycho" style knife. The album is preceded by the single 100 mph (in 2nd Gear) released on September 7th, and backed with 900 Miles, the Odetta cover that was used as the soundtrack to the BBC psycho-flick Mum & Dad.