2004
MVRemix: What does the title 'Finally Woken' mean?
Jem: About waking up and smelling the coffee. An element of new life.
MVRemix: Do you have a favorite song on 'Finally Woken'?
Jem: Depends on the mood or day.
MVRemix: What song took you the longest to do? Why? The shortest? Why?
Jem: Quickest was 'Just A Ride'. It was done in one sitting. 'Flying High' was done in an hour, but the chorus was already written.
MVRemix: What is the best memory you have of making the LP?
Jem: Worst memory was at the end, losing it in mix final commitment. Got very anxious. Was in the studio for about 7-10 days just listened to the mixes over and over again.
MVRemix: What kind of confusion has occurred due to the fact that you have the same name as the cartoon character rock star, Jem?
Jem: At the beginning my publicist would keep getting calls from writers saying, 'Is she truly outrageous?'. My publicist wasn't familiar with the cartoon so I was a bit confused and was asked what I was up to because people kept on saying that.
MVRemix: You worked with Guy Sigsworth, producer of Bjork and others. How did you hook up with him and what was that collaboration like?
Jem: My manager works with him. He liked my demos and decided to work with me for free. He's a great guy. We couldn't stop talking.
MVRemix: How is Guy Sigsworth different than other producers?
Jem: He's brilliant. A right laugh.
MVRemix: You also worked with hip-hop producer Ge-ology. How did this come about and what was that like?
Jem: F*cking amazing! He's so talented. He's real. He's a real person that has educated me in many ways both musically and socially.
MVRemix: Vocally, who were some of your influences?
Jem: Soul singers. Mostly men. Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston. I love the vibrato of Mariah and Whitney.
MVRemix: Musically, who are some of your influences?
Jem: Stevie Wonder! I once sent him a letter in Braille asking him to produce my album. I never heard back.
MVRemix: What was your childhood like?
Jem: Very happy. In welsh it's, 'Ty Hapus'. Very close knit family.
MVRemix: What artist or group would you like to work with in the future?
Jem: Stevie Wonder, people in the hip hop community
MVRemix: What producer would you like to work with in the future?
Jem: RZA.
MVRemix: As a musician, how have you matured?
Jem: Songwriting. I am more willing to 'rip myself apart' and put it down on paper. I can look deeper into my feelings.
MVRemix: What advice would you give to a woman who wants to make a living as a musician?
Jem: Follow your heart and stick to your guns.
MVRemix: Word association. I am going to say the name of an artist or group and your say the first word that pops into you head.
Stereolab.
Jem: Know of, haven't seen, want to know what they are like.
MVRemix: Richard Ashcroft (of The Verve).
Jem: Talented.
MVRemix: Nelly Furtado.
Jem: Happy.
MVRemix: Bjork.
Jem: Crazy wicked.
MVRemix: The Roots.
Jem: Cool as f*ck.
MVRemix: Billie Holiday.
Jem: Very soulful, tragic.
MVRemix: The Stone Roses.
Jem: Wicked.
MVRemix: Portishead.
Jem: Really cool.
MVRemix: George Bush.
Jem: Don't want to discuss him.
MVRemix: What are you most proud of?
Jem: Being involved in the album from conception to the end. Programming, co-producing, and writing.
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