Flow

With her first independent release ‘Afterglow’ (2002) Jemma had only began to touch on nurturing her songwriting talent and vocal style. While accumulating a bundle of fresh new songs, the responsibilities of motherhood injected a deepened maturity into her hauntingly clear voice, and the bluesy, soulful shape of the songs to come began to take form... ‘I got my new band together and blasted the songs out live, again and again, until I realized just how my heart longed for a simple song, strong and clear … After a ‘re-think’, I’ve come with an acoustic line-up, a refreshing contrast to Afterglow’s production’ It’s brilliant playing with a full acoustic band, but I also recognized that the songs live from the melodic vocal harmonies. The feedback I got from gigs with simple vocals, guitar and backings arrangements was phenomenal’ ‘Then my big question was; ‘Where do I go from here? I have a band, I have solid, accessible songs, I have even accumulated a tried and trusted audience, but what next?’ ‘I’ll be honest, after experiencing the music industry climate first-hand, I understand what an artist has to deal with, and what can be required to shape a product. I see my job is to focus on delivering a song that has the ability to reach out and emotionally grab the listener. A catchy, honest song. Growing up with classics like Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holliday, or the haunting melancholy of Joni Mitchell, has indisputably left it’s mark on me … and there’s no going back!’ This is why the new EP ‘Flow’, features timeless songs. A pick of four diverse pop songs from the anticipated LP, with twists of jazz, and echoes of folky-soul to leave you pining for more … ‘Too Wide’ would be best described as a ‘killer-ballad’, full of longing and regret, it’s bound to break you heart. In stark contrast, the title track ‘Flow’, is probably Jemma’s only positive comment on the modern romantic relationship, but it still reminisces a certain melancholic need for the ultimate closeness. ‘Ruby’ is a beautifully written piece for Jemma’s niece Ruby, it was originally sent as a birth present, recorded on the day she was born. Now, it can be heard in it’s full grandeur, celebrating the wonder of birth, parenthood and life itself. Finally, the up-tempo ‘Long time coming’, takes on a bluesy turn and shows that not only can Jemma do more than conquer a ballad, she just might not be all sweetness and light! ‘It’s an exciting time and with the wonderful studio support of Ernst Esser (Red & Blue, Cologne) and an acoustic line-up, I am happy to be able to bring my songwriting back home’ Memorable melodies, warm string arrangements and an indelible vocal performance; all add up to a EP production of good things to come … ABOUT JEMMA In the midst of the current singer-songwriter flourish, including the likes of KT Tunstall, James Morrison and Norah Jones, stands Jemma Endersby, a shining new songwriting energy from the UK. Jemma, who has been singing since everyone can remember, was born into a working class family in urban Bedford. The youngest of four children, her passion for music was both nurtured by her mother's love of Ella Fitzgerald and Queen and her father's quirky fanaticism for classical music. Early recollections of being made to lie on the living room floor and listen to the dying swan by Camille Saint-Saens, always brings back a giggle of fond memories. After finding ardour in school choirs, volunteering for all the solo parts, nine year old jemma wrote and performed her first song back then in a school assembly. Always embracing opportunities to perform, Jemma began to develop what's been described as a raw natural talent - her strengths being her warm, energetic stage presence, vocal flexibility and ability to completely throw herself into a performance. After graduating from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts in 1999, she left the UK for the continent, where she wrote and recorded 'Afterglow', her debut album in 2002. With a voice evoking the clear bluesy tones of Norah Jones but delivering the sassy soul punch of KT Tunstall, Jemma has established herself as a writing force to be reckoned with in her adopted hometown of Cologne. Her melancholic melange of classic acoustic-pop, with unexpected harmonic twists and a pinch of jazzy-soul, leaves her listeners humming the melody and asking themselves 'What was that song again?' An earthy an honest stage performer, Jemma keeps things intimate and brings the event of the song back to basics. 'If I can make a song work with just me and my guitar and get that gut feeling, then the song stays.' Jemma loves working with vocal harmonies and has spent the last year working intensively as a backing singer for well known German and international pop and soul artists, including Joy Denalane (DE), Yvonne Catterfeld (DE), Gia Farrell (US) and the German Pop Idol live band. 'When I write, the backgrounds are almost always there from the word go. I love working with those crunchy part harmonies...think of Crosby Stills and Nash or Crowded House... I would drive my brother crazy when we were growing up cause I would never sing the 'bloody' melody' Her long awaited EP 'Flow', showcases classic songs that hark back to the timeless bullet-proof era of Carol King and Joni Mitchell, while signifying the emotional maturity of an honest urban English heart.