Published November 20, 2003, in issue #0246 of The Hook

BY HAWES SPENCER

Jem, the latest signee to ATO records, the label founded by Dave Matthews, reveals she'd never heard of the Seattle-Charlottesville superstar until earlier this year. Shopping for a deal, the Welsh-born singer wound up in the New York office of Bruce Flohr, the man credited with signing Dave. Seems Dave's not such a big hit back in the British Isles.

"He'll break me in America," jokes just-signed Jem, "and I'll break him in England."

Jem visited Starr Hill restaurant November 15 to meet media and record industry players, such as radio station WNRN's Mike Friend, shown here.

"There are a lot of people around with talent, but there aren't too many with ATO's attention," says Friend, whose station has been playing "Just A Ride," a track from Jem's first disc, a five-song EP. Her first full-length record, Finally Woken, is set for release in 2004. ATO has helped rev the careers of such acts as David Gray and Ben Kweller.

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In other news about Dave Matthews Band, the massive concert at New York's Central Park in late September has already been released as a triple audo disc. On November 18, along with the CD, the band's record label, RCA, also released a double DVD. According to a release, 30 high-definition widescreen video camera's captured the benefit show on the Great Lawn.

New Friends: Jem and Mike
PHOTO BY HAWES SPENCER

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