Gemma Ray is a maverick UK songwriter who will release her new album
'Island Fire' on 16th April, via independent label Bronze Rat. Ahead of
the album is today's announcement of a special tie-up - and limited
edition single - with legendary pop band Sparks.
Gemma, who once fainted at one of Sparks’ London
shows (“it was intense”), was contemplating injecting elements of her
next album with some Sparks-esque pomp and grandiosity. Rather than
imitate, she approached the masters themselves.
Circumstances conspired against it however. Sparks
were immersed in taking their incredible musical ‘The Seduction Of
Ingmar Bergmann’ to the stage, but an affinity was established and the
three stayed in touch. What eventually transpired was unplanned, and as
unlikely as it is unprecedented. The Maels dared Gemma to attempt one
of their songs – and they all eventually ended up choosing a curious
two. ‘How Do I Get To Carnegie Hall’ (from their album ‘Lil’ Beethoven’)
and the innuendo-filled ‘Eaten By The Monster Of Love’ (from ‘Angst In
My Pants’). Gemma approached them side-on. Ron & Russell then took
these new Ray-styled numbers, and re-built them Sparks-style.
In the words of Gemma Ray: “I have long been a huge
admirer of Sparks’ non-conformity which allows them to take their
uncompromising creativity to wherever it wants to go. But I really could
not imagine what my thing combined with their thing would sound like,
and that was a big part of the attraction. ”
And in the words of Sparks: “It takes a certain
type of bravery to attack our songs. Gemma has both bravery and immense
talent. We are moved by the results.”
The
two songs will be released as a limited edition collectors 7” and
download, with artwork by Rick Froberg (Obits/Hot Snakes), and will
feature as bonus tracks on her forthcoming new album ‘Island Fire’,
released on April 16th.
In the next few months Gemma plays HMV Next Big
Thing in London, SXSW, as well as European dates with Kitty, Daisy &
Lewis, CW Stoneking, and Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings.
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