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Gemma Hayes [2] It’s not just that Michael Gently revels and excels in the company of ladies you understand, this second meeting with Gemma Hayes is purely a business arrangement. When the pair first hooked up back in November 2001 and Gemma’s image was plastered all over the Pixelsurgeon pages, the response was astounding. We were duty-bound to give you all a second helping.
After rave reviews for her live show and initial EP release, Pixelsurgeon favourite Gemma Hayes is about to release her debut album. Acclaim has been high and this summer is set to send this Irish gem into every home’s summer conscience.
PIXELSURGEON: How did you find the reception on the recent tour?
GEMMA HAYES: It was phenomenal. So surprising. When the record company said we’d be going out on the tour, I was thinking that no one would turn up because my album wasn’t even out, you know. In towns like Liverpool only 20 people were at the show but the London gig was a sell-out. It was just great to see people getting enjoyment out of my songs and singing along.
What are your future touring plans and will you be taking your sounds abroad?
There’s another UK tour planned to coincide with the album – so I can’t wait for that. And we’ll probably do the odd festival as well. I may be playing some shows in Europe too, which will be a great experience. I’ve only played outside Ireland and Britain once before when I was support on the Sparklehorse tour.
Are you excited about people finally getting to hear the album?
Of course. But I’m quite nervous about it too.
And I think it is the perfect sound for spring and summer…
Do you think so? That’s so great. I get concerned that people might not see it in that light. But this record is so full of hope.
Are you prepared for all the promotion that goes along with promoting an album?
I’m getting used to it all, you know. And it does mean you get to visit lots of places that you may not have the opportunity to do otherwise. And you get to meet interesting people…
A hidden track in the middle of an album is a new concept…
Yeah, I’m not sure if it’s been done before. And it can be a bit of a cliché. But ‘Dartmouth Square’ just sits so perfectly where we’ve put it. My friend was bedridden and he had a little recording studio in his room. He was lying in the bed as I was recording this on the set up. It’s just two acoustic guitars. There’s this playschool next door and there were these kids playing in the garden, so we opened the window and stuck a mic out. So you can hear my friend in the bed shuffling about, then you’ve got these kids shouting and then there’s these two acoustic guitars. We made it on the spot.
There’s a couple of references to the word ‘side’ on the album – which sides to Gemma Hayes have we yet to see?
That’s so cheesy! There’s ‘Tear In My Side’ and ‘Night On My Side’ but it’s nothing intentional. Who knows what you haven’t seen yet, hopefully I’ve still got a few surprises. Next time I promise to call it ‘Tear In My Legs’ or something.
Have you been inspired by any small moments recently?
Not recently. But I’ve been so wrapped up in all this. I’m looking forward to being able to write again though.
‘Stop The Wheel’ [a live staple and classic B-side] – why didn’t you feel it suited the album?
To be honest, there really isn’t a reason except that we ran out of space. We’d already put everything together before we realised it had been left off. Then it was just too late. I love the song though and play it in the live set.
The version on the single fades out just as you think it’s gonna get going…
With that version I just wanted to give people a taste of what it could do.
You’ve said in the past that you’d like to make a little film for ‘Lucky One’ – did you have a hand in the clip for ‘Hangin’ Around’?
‘Lucky One’ is just begging for a film clip and I’d love to be able to do it one day. The clip for ‘Hangin’ Around’ was an odd concept. It basically involved me standing around and singing on a kitchen table all day while all kinds of stuff went on around me. You know, I was hanging around and there was a mad house just going crazy.
Including a naked man jumping up and down?
Yeah, but in general I guess it was all just pretty normal stuff really. For me anyway. It's just like my kitchen at home!
Do you get involved in the creative process wherever possible?
I get involved where I can. I want to be a part of the process with my videos, my artwork everything.
Who do you see as your contemporaries?
I can't really think of any female contemporaries but there’s another Irish singer songwriter called Paddy Casey. He’s just amazing.
If you had to sell yourself on the strength of one track, which would you pick?
I’d probably go with ‘Tear In My Side’. It’s got a few different elements of my sound in there…
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