Jem Cooke has cemented herself as one of dance music’s most iconic vocalists, co-writing with artists such as Camelphat, Ferreck Dawn, Jax Jones, Gorgon City, and SOMMA, with hits spanning genres such as deep house, techno, drum & bass, and melodic house.
Now, she’s joining forces with former NBA center-turned-internationally renowned producer and DJ Rony Seikaly for a new smashing single, ‘Stay With Me’.
EG caught up with Jem Cooke ahead of her Glastonbury Festival performance to learn more about the new drop, her working process, and more.
EG: Hi Jem! Welcome to EG. It’s a pleasure to have you here with us. How have you been? Where are you right now?
Jem Cooke: Ooooo! Thank you for having me. Right now, I am driving to Glastonbury Festival for my show tonight!
EG: Your discography highlights your versatility as a singer/songwriter, with hit releases across genres such as deep house, techno, drum & bass, and melodic house. How do you approach working in different genres, and what attracts you to collaborate with particular artists across the electronic music spectrum?
Jem Cooke: Thank you! I think if the core song is strong you, can flutter about a bit, especially in dance music. They’re all songs you listen to when you’re feeling good and probably in a dancing / partying situation, so having spent years doing that (all in the name of research of course), I feel like I have a good understanding of what it is I want to hear when I’m in those situations and how I want to feel, so I’m guided by that.
EG: ‘Stay With Me’, your recent collaboration with Rony Seikaly, is generating a lot of buzz. Can you tell us how this collaboration came about and what it was like working with Rony on the track?
Jem Cooke: He reached out and asked if I was up for writing to the music, and I really loved it, so I said ‘yes’ straight away
EG: Could you share some insights into the creative process behind the track and how you and Rony captured such a vibrant sonic atmosphere? How did you approach crafting the lyrics and vocal performance to enhance the track’s energy and emotional impact? Tell us more about what the lyrics mean to you.
Jem Cooke: To be honest, I wrote another idea originally, which was a bit more cosmic and trippy. But Rony said he wanted something more personal, with more intention, so I rewrote it with more of a conversation between two people in mind and really leaned into the soulful house records of the 90s.
“I feel like I have a good understanding of what it is I want to hear when I’m in those situations and how I want to feel, so I’m guided by that”
EG: Your upcoming projects include collaborations with Majestic, Max Styler, and DubVision. Can you give us any hints or insights into what we can expect from these collaborations?
Jem Cooke: Absolute belters, all of them!
EG: What about any future plans for your own album project? Is there something in the pipeline?
Jem Cooke: Yes! I took myself off to Devon Analogue earlier in the year with two of my favorite producer pals and went away to create the soundscape for my album. DA is an incredible studio with many many original vintage synth machines that make the most magical noises! I’ve been wanting to tell the story of the last few years, which for me was a crazy journey. My life changed significantly over the pandemic through new life, death, and parenthood. One day it felt like I’d woken up on another planet. I really wanted to stop and take stock of what had gone on and felt like this year was that moment.
EG: With your vast experience and success in the music industry, what advice would you give to aspiring singers and songwriters who are looking to make their mark in the electronic music scene?
Jem Cooke: I’m always wary of giving anybody any advice as I don’t think I know what I’m doing half the time! But if I had to say anything, it would be: Just keep going and don’t be afraid to fail. You’ll learn the most through those experiences and that’s how you’ll grow.
EG: What’s next for Jem Cooke? What new milestones are you looking forward to in 2023?
Jem Cooke: This show at Glastonbury is a massive moment for me. I’ve done many many shows over the last decade as a guest on other people’s shows but this is my first solo show in nearly 10 years, and there’s nowhere else I would want it to be.
“Just keep going and don’t be afraid to fail. You’ll learn the most through those experiences and that’s how you’ll grow”
EG: Thank you for your time, Jem! We’re excited to see what’s in store for you and can’t wait to experience more of your incredible music.
Jem Cooke: Thank you so much
Rony Seikaly & Jem Cooke’s ‘Stay With Me’ is out now via Hurry Up Slowly. Purchase your copy here.
Follow Jem Cooke: Spotify | Soundcloud | Instagram | Facebook
