New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Shore Fire Media) - On Monday, UK siren Gemma Ray talked to WNYC "Soundcheck" about her upcoming covers album 'It's A Shame About Gemma Ray," out May 18 on Bronzerat Records. Ray spoke with host John Schaefer and Washington Post music critic Chris Richards about the album, delving into how the album was a "happy accident," how songs made the cut, and how she "regurgitated the songs in her own way."
Check out a stream of the interview here (skip to the 11:27 mark):
http://bit.ly/GemmaRay-WNYC-Soundcheck
"It's A Shame" includes unusual selections by composers from George and Ira Gershwin to Lee Hazlewood to The Gun Club. Ray's versions often bear little resemblance to the originals. Instead, they're reinventions of songs, taken from her memory. "I deliberately avoided going back and listening to the original versions," says Ray. "I chose songs that, for better or worse, implanted themselves in my head at different periods in my life. "
The album was recorded by Matt Verta-Ray (Heavy Trash) in a spontaneous, whirlwind three day session at his N.Y. Hed studios in New York City, filtering a wide range of styles through Ray's unique sensibilities.
Find the full 'It's A Shame About Gemma Ray' track list here:
http://www.shorefire.com/index.php?a=pressrelease&o=3721
Ray will next head to Canadian Music Week, with a show at the Pop Montreal showcase, and then on to SXSW.
Gemma Ray Canadian Music Week and SXSW Shows:
Friday, March 12 - Toronto, ON - Pop Montreal showcase at the Silver Dollar at 10pm
Saturday, March 13 - Toronto, ON - The Painted Lady at 11pm
Friday, March 19 - Austin, TX - Performance for Justin.tv at 3pm, location tba
Saturday, March 20 - Austin, TX - Mojo Bootleg BBQ at the Mean Eyed Cat at 2:15pm
Saturday, March 20 - Austin, TX - Blurt showcase at the Tap Room at 9pm
