Indie Showcase: Jamie Jem

It is high time the spotlight be focused also on our indie bands and solo artists. They do form a deep well of diverse and amazing talents in the local scene. I will be showcasing once in a while an indie band or solo artist that to my mind deserves a look and more attention. So below, let’s get to know Jamie Jem.

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1) Describe your beginnings as an artist?

Jamie Jem: A bit of a long story but I’ll try to keep it short. I started singing and dancing when I was three, joining all the singing contest and musical plays in our school where I got a chance to perform at Meralco theater. Professionally, I started when I was 13, I did session for different bands in the hotels. I used to be a dancer for a recording company that time, we would usually perform at PBA and PBL halftime shows and other TV guestings too.

College days I’d sing for all the birthdays of the different Deans in our university. After graduation I joined an acoustic group and spent many years performing at the different hotels and bars here. That time I was able to do one commercial jingle for a napkin brand years ago, my guitarist friend did the music , we worked on the lyrics together and I sang the jingle. I also got a chance to be an extra in a TVC of a soda brand. I had offers even before for modelling but I wasn’t that confident back then.

Alongside my singing career, I would also do hosting for corporate events. That’s when I started my own events group it’s called “Switch Artists and Events”, after a four year regular gig break, I’m now out of my shell because I am finally choosing to write my heart through songs.

2) What/who are your musical influences?

Jamie Jem: That’s a very hard question ,to tell you the truth because I sing different types of songs, except bossa. The classic and the new one’s on my list are Stacy Lattisaw Jackson, Toni Braxton, E.B.T.G., The Beatles, S.O.S., Carole King, Randy Crawford, The Fugees, Crystal Waters, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Adele, Alicia Keys. OPM legends: Hotdog and Kuh Ledesma for my feel good songs, Vernie Varga and Richard Merk on the Jazz side, Lani, Regine, Dulce and Dessa for the ballad songs.

For my song writing the following artists have been inspiring me so much, thelate Kenny Rankin, Stephen Bishop, Paul McCartney and Keith Martin.

3) Can you describe your style of music to the unfamiliar?

Jamie Jem: My music are simply songs that my heart speaks. I am a poet since I was in prep school. What I do know is that I have to internalize and feel every lyric coming out of my lips, I have to be in character to perform any song and to write one too. I’d sing any song that my sultry, raspy voice can give justice to.

4) What do you think of the current local scene?

Jamie Jem: I think OPM is slowly making it’s way back, proving that it just took a break, I know in my heart we can compete internationally with the quality and content of the songs being produced now. We are all Pinoy and we need to help and encourage each other, we have one history and now that OPM is stabilizing I wanna be a part and join the bandwagon.

5) Any upcoming gigs/events you would like to promote? 

Jamie Jem: I finished recording a song to be released soon, the music was produced by international artist Keith Martin of New Direction Music California. I wrote, did the melody, sang and arranged it. I also did the backing vocals for the song which I extremely love doing. I hope everyone will like it, the aim was a chill song you can play in the car over and over. I got back to my roots in this one, 90’s vibe for all. I’m also getting together my new band “JAR ” with my drummer Richie Santos, while we wait for a new guitarist.

I am currently doing gigs with my former band now called “AMORSOLO” acoustic trio ( with Jason and Toti) but I also session with other bands like “The Kelly Badon Ensemble”. My “Switch Artists and Events” group is still running, you can book us through this number 09323868734 look for Ms. Jen for my band and private events.

I do hosting, modelling, and I also do makeup, personality development training and makeup workshops (one on one or small to large group). We also offer other services like sound system and lights set up, photo and video coverage, music production and song writing. So, I guess I’m into all aspects of an artist. Upcoming shows and talks: August 15, 2018 Talk about Professionalism and basic makeup at Sienna College August 21, 2018 CHIVZ Greenhills with “AMORSOLO” September 1, 2018 Skippy’s Gastropub Manila with AMORSOLO *Hotel gig schedule to be released soon Please follow my social media accounts FB: Jamie Jem and IG: sultrybunny_ph