GEMMA RAY ARRIVES IN SOUTH AFRICA

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. All the way from the UK, Gemma Ray will be touring SA with Ramblin’ Bones this August and this is what she had to say about the upcoming trip…

How many years have you been performing as Gemma Ray?
Two or three years, before that it was The Gemma Ray Ritual.

Do you go on songwriting binges or is it a slow and steady process for you?
Both! I definately get manic binges of songwriting where I get an onslaught of songs come into my head and I never get to finish one before the next one comes along! But I constantly work at finishing and re-arranging songs and lyrics that came in the binge, which I find inspires making more songs. I like saving all the manic bits up for a rainy day so I never feel uninspired.

Do you get worried about anything when you’re heading out to tour new countries?
Only if my instruments are going to survive the trip (I have very precious vintage guitars and an old analogue drum machine!). Plus whether the power convertor will work in the new country. I blew up three in the States last month with my hair straighteners!

What are you looking forward to most about coming to South Africa?
Everything! But I’m hoping to record a song with a particular choir, which I’m especially excited about. It will fulfill a lifelong ambition. Fingers crossed…
 
What can people expect from a Gemma Ray show?
I think it depends on the person and their mood how they percieve my solo shows. I hope they feel strong emotion and that it relates to them in a way that makes them feel strongly affected and inspired. Or drunk.

Do you have any touring or recording plans for after your tour?
Yes! I want to finish my new album! I’m currently 10 tracks in a tiny island in Norway called Giske where it never gets dark where I recorded 6 tracks – I started in Australia in April. I hope to record in some other new mysterious location after South Africa. I will be doing a small tour in Germany and a festival in Switzerland, after that who knows? Somewhere I’ve never heard of before I hope!

TOUR DATES:

Saturday 07 August 2010 
OPPIKOPPI FESTIVAL, Northam



Sunday 08 August 2010 (Monday is a public holiday) 
Tanz Cafe, Buzz Shopping Centre, Witkoppen Road, Fourways
(NOTE : NEW LOCATION)

With Shannon Hope

Doors 7.00pm. R90 Presale / R120 Door 



Wednesday 11 August 2010
 Steak & Ale, 66 Botha Avenue, Lyttelton, Pretoria

With Laurie Levine

Doors 7.30pm. R90 Presale / R120 Door



Friday 13 August 2010 
Highfield House, 11 Kinmount Avenue, Hillary, Durban

With Car Boot Vendors

Doors 7.00pm. R90 Presale / R120 Door

Saturday 14 August 2010
 The Purple Turtle, Long Street, Cape Town

With Dave Ferguson & Shannon Hope
Doors 7.30pm. R90 Presale / R120 Door

Presale tickets HERE. More info HERE.

Check out Gemma Ray on MYSPACE and FACEBOOK.