Gemma Kane - EXTRA Interview
JANUARY 1ST, 2016
NBC
EXTRA: Happy New Years! It's 2016 and there's no better way to bring in the new year with a special guest here. She's got a spanking new EP out in stores right now, and she's ready to confess her new years resolution and talk about her new EP, It's GEMMA! GEMMA: Hiiiii. So happy to be here. Happy new year to you as well. *Smiles*
EXTRA: We know we don't have you here for very long since you're super busy, but happy new year to you and your family. How did you spend your New Years? Was it calm cool and collective or did you go all out?GEMMA: Thanks! This year it was definitely a calm, cool and collective one. I cooked dinner, had some friends and family comes to my house and we drank champagne, ate and brought in the new year together. I find that bringing the new year in with the ones closest to you is more fulfilling then going out and getting completely wasted. I enjoy the concept of family so I definitely enjoyed this new year, yeah. But I'm up here with you guys now! Hehe.
EXTRA: Overall, how was 2015 for you as a whole? What was your most significant memory from last year?GEMMA: I definitely, definitely had my ups and downs this years. It comes with life and all the trial and error. I think everyone has moments where things are just crazy and moments when you feel like you are on top of the world. My most significant moment? *Gemma places her finger on her chin and squints for a second* very good question.....I'd have to say finishing the EP! That was very significant moment. Just a few months ago Drake and I cut the final track and listened to it from start to finish and I was just so so so happy. I was literally on a high because I felt like it was finally done and we could get it out to everyone! Hell, it was a great moment and something I won't ever forget. I swear, if you saw me you'd think I was crazy. I am talking about, dancing around the studio to what was created. Such an uplifting moment for me in 2015.
EXTRA: Looking forward, do you have a new years resolution? GEMMA: I don't really have a new years resolution but I really want to eat donuts with bacon in the new year! I know, sounds crazy *laughs* but I literally saw it on tv....Bacon, on donuts....and I love Bacon, and I also love donuts. I need to find the place that sells them so my taste buds could have a taste in heaven....like really, who has ever heard of bacon donuts. It needs to happen for me this year *laughs*
EXTRA: Now, onto this EP! The "Precious" EP. We must say over here at Extra! We love it. It's very confident and sensual. You've also got some vulnerable tracks in there too. Did you plan having such a self aware EP or did it just come into the place that way?GEMMA: I think when we sat down and listened to the group of tracks we had and had to go through that very terrible "cutting down" process (which I hate very much) I went with the tracks that best represented me and represented where I've been in the past year or two and I've really just been in tune with myself, my sensuality, and my confidence so I wanted that to reflect on the EP. So we went with the eight in which I felt represented that best. As for the vulnerable ones, yeah, we are vulnerable and emotional individuals. I'm no robot so we like, had to have those songs that shows there's layers to who I am aside from lil ole fierce me *Gemma jokingly flips her hair* I'm kidding, I'm such a dweeb... but when I get in the studio or on stage I become another person.
EXTRA: Are we talking an alter-ego?GEMMA: Something like that! Really. When I get in the studio or on stage, I just become so fierce...I just let go and I love it. I'm able to show the other side of me and it happens to be one that's slightly more edgy? *giggles*
EXTRA: You've been working on this EP for a long time, could you give your fans some insight into the whole recording process of Precious?GEMMA: It's been a long road. Definitely. We had the first set of tracks ready to go rather quickly. But I scrapped those and started fresh. As artists we have trials and we have errors and I wasn't going to rush anything out until I felt it was ready. So I took my time in crafting a small collection of work that could give my fans a taste of what is to come. Like a preview. It took us a while but it's out there now and we could look to the future.
EXTRA: You also collaborated with the likes of The Wolverines, mister_b, and Max Martin just to name a few. How was it working with such producers in creating what would be Precious?GEMMA: All are extremely talented producers that I've loved recording the EP with. mister_b and I have a very good working relationship and I recorded my first solo record with him on Involuntary Memories a few years back and he's really help me formulate my sound. The Wolverines I've worked with two, two very funny guys. They really know to break the ice when it comes to someone shy like me. We enjoyed some laughs and it was just fun recording with them! They know what they're doing. Max Martin is such a sweetheart and incredibly talented. You can envision a sound for yourself and once you dish it to him, he can get it out onto a beat. It's pretty crazy but he's got it. So yeah, they've really the EP come into one and I'm very thankful for them.
EXTRA: Speaking of collaborations, you also worked with rapper Miami on the album on a song called Diamonds which is a personal favorite! How did this collaboration come about?GEMMA: My girl! Well it all came about because I had been writing Diamonds with Christopher Hudson and he dished an idea to have a rapper on it. He had already been hanging out with Miami so he dished the idea to her and everything fell into place. It was totally Chris's perfect idea really because she makes the song that much better. We all met up for brunch and just talked about the song. Miami left straight to the studio and I promise she sent her verse in a few hours. She's that quick and on point, and I love her verse. Girlpower! But yeah, that's how that went down.
EXTRA: Do you have a personal favorite on the EP?GEMMA: Uhhhh! Oh my god. Hard question but I loooove Neon Lights! Such a sexy track that ends the EP off. That was one of the last tracks recorded for the EP and it stole my heart instantly when I heard it. Before that, it was Sailing Souls. The only ballad on the EP. It was a favorite because it was a change from everything else on the EP, it was slowed and true to me. I was able to show that side of me that people don't usually see. People tend to think I am this brash individual because I'm in a different place mentally when I record and perform, and people think that persona that I have is also me behind the cameras. I'm pretty freakin' corny *laughs*. I like watching sex in the city while eating eating snickers bars for god sake *laughs*
EXTRA: Eight tracks for an EP is quite a lot, so it's essentially a 'mini' album. What made you want to release an EP instead of an full length album?GEMMA: I felt it wasn't time for an album just yet. We've recorded songs for the album already but I wanted everything to be perfectly ready for the album and it's release, the EP is more of an introduction. Didn't really want to jump out with an album. Let it be a building process, slow and steady. But there's will most definitely be a full length album later this year.
EXTRA: Sound-wise, the EP definitely gives us a hint of the sound you had when you were in Lashes. Do you think being in that band shaped who you are today?GEMMA: I don't really think the EP reflects Lashes in anyway. We released 1 song, and that one song was a cover of Brittany Knox's debut. So Lashes didn't necessarily have a "sound" just yet. Musically, I don't think that Lashes has shaped me because we weren't around long enough to essentially know our sound. What I can say is that being in the band shaped me for the industry and i learned a lot while being in the band for the while that I was in it.
EXTRA: It's been four years since Lashes broke up. Would you have ever expected being here today as a soloist with hit records such as Involuntary Memories, and Cruel under your belt already and looking forward to 2016 with a new EP out to the public?GEMMA: You know. You never know where life takes you so to be honest, no, I didn't expect it but I'm very glad to have made far enough to sit here and have new music out to the public. Time flies, really.
EXTRA: You've faced some harsh criticism having to do with your very public divorce from James Urie. How do you deal with public opinion and how do you keep sane when people begin to form opinions?GEMMA: You've got to be well grounded and you've got to know yourself because if not you'll lose yourself focusing on what other people think about you, or worrying about how others perceive you. I don't have the best reputation with people and that's fine, you've got to push pass the naysayers and adversities because they don't know anything but social media and tabloids. You'll have haters, you'll have lovers. I just tend to focus more on my lovers. Don't get be wrong, I've been guilty of going back at people on twitter because it's just of load of lies and you get sick of it sometimes but I've learned to let people say what they want.
EXTRA: Has the breakup with James influenced some of the tracks on the album?GEMMA:I think everything in my life influences my music.
EXTRA: You've toured with the likes of VANITY and The Sound Of Living Tour. When can fans expect a headlining tour by you, Gemma?GEMMA: We are working on a mini tour in support of the EP that will be launching in April. Official announcement coming soon! Following that, I'll be embarking on my first world tour once the album is out. It'll be huge. I can't wait.
EXTRA: Lasty, what are some of your plans for the new year that you could tell your fans right now?GEMMA: Aside from the EP being out, I am also working on my debut album , the tour. I also have an app that is in the works and something elsevery, very special. There's a lot to come but I don't want to say everything just yet. It'll be lots of fun, promise
EXTRA: Thank you for coming Gemma, Happy New Year! Best wishes. GEMMA: Same to you!
PRECIOUS IS IN STORES NOW