Australian electronic-indie pop producer-alchemist, GEM RPM has mined the most vulnerable aspects of her own self, boldly creating a six-track EP, 'Healing Feelings', that explores the different spheres of life's highs and lows.
Themes embraced include insecurity, sex, the divine feminine and being the architect of all of your best days still to come."This EP is a journey through healing. Embracing all of the light and dark, and with non-judgment finding little ways to pick yourself up again; ways to feel whole again," GEM says.
"I wanted the EP to start in mess, tangled, unsure," adds GEM, "inching your way into the day as we all sometimes do and slowly, step by step, track by track find that voice, that inner knowing that sets you right again.
"I made a very deliberate decision to connect all the pieces of myself and make whole, regardless how popular that may or may not be."
Ahead of the EP's release on Friday (30 September), scenestr is thrilled to premiere 'Healing Feelings' today. Enjoy.
Like a sonic cleansing of the music soul, with trembling yet pounding drums and crashing waves rolling back and forth, opening track 'Soul Bath' is exactly that – like soaking in an aural basin of soapy water as the chiming tones add texture to the landscape as the stresses fade away.
Gentle rain and pleasant keys with tender, plucking acoustic guitar welcomes second track 'Heartfelt' before GEM's spoken voice shares positive messaging of living your fullest life, to embrace the challenges we face daily.
By the time 'Inner Bloom' arrives, your soul will be ready to unwind further aided by the chilled trip hop that also buzzes with a beautiful synth-pop melody that's like a welcoming guide as GEM's vocals act like a brightened beacon ushering you to the safe confines of your innermost thoughts.
A positive melancholy hangs over 'Ruins', the darkened emotions of heartache embraced by a soothing yet raw indie pop rhythm and GEM's husky vocal tones allowing the warm drizzle of tears to flow freely, with no shame involved.
'Remedy' is an angelic, stripped-back little number with hushed vocals cooing atop a delicate, almost wistful-sounding keyboard. Before final track 'Debris' glides into a shimmery, sub-tropical flowery neo-soul beat that harnesses a fierce energy that'll leave you with a glowing natural high – better than any caffeine hit you'll get.
Here, GEM shares a few thoughts behind each of the songs that feature on the 'Healing Feelings' EP.
Soul Bath
Soul Bath is a live sound healing, recorded at The Village Studios Los Angeles. We had a set up of gongs, sound bowls, chimes and a wave drum, all acoustic healing instruments and Barry Raccio led us through different sounds and dynamics using his experience as a sound bath technician.I wanted to keep it authentic, natural and raw and we edited from the live flow to create a cleansing experience to refresh the listener, ground their energy and bring them into the present.
My vision from the outset was to immerse you in intricate sounds that breaks through the chatter in your mind. The opening track is intended to cleanse your spirit and ready you for the remainder of the 'Healing Feeling' journey. The chimes allow you to be guided back into the room, ready for the meditation that follows.
Heartfelt
It was important to me to begin with my why. A spoken reminder that even in the messy depths of healing you are still divine. I want people to really feel supported and loved from this EP. I want them to feel thought about, nurtured and surrounded by light.My dad Rod played the acoustic guitar for this, it needed to be part of the family. A trusted voice in a way. I channelled this message, with my hand on my heart and it felt like a warm hug.
Inner Bloom
A very intentional third song in the order. Now that you are cleansed and open I wanted the first input to be one of self-recognition. It opens with a warm pad swell and encouraging guitar line, that repeats itself as if to whisper 'you've got this'.This is a homecoming of sorts, you are realising that you had everything within yourself to shine the whole time. I travelled the whole world to realise the most important trek you'll ever make is the one you make back to yourself. This song is to be added to yoga flows and to move your body and energy too.
Ruins
It wouldn't be a healing EP if we didn't address heartache, right? It is definitely the sad moment. The breakdown before the breakthrough can occur.I was aching and alone, sitting on my apartment floor 8,000 miles from where I wanted to be. The lyrics fell out – as did the tears. I had been reinventing myself into so many different versions trying to be someone that was loved. That is something we need to cultivate within ourselves, that is the real point of this EP.
Recorded with Martin Estrada (Macy Gray, Selena Gomez, Gashi) it's a very stripped-back song: guitar, pads and some strings cello in the second half. The hero is the vocal and the lyrical message of letting love ruin.
Remedy
This is a very important stage of healing. I had a very difficult self-realisation that in fact I was the one holding myself back. I had been quiet about what I wanted, dimmed my light, afraid I would fail. I had not yet stepped into my full self – this song addresses that. How playing it safe isn't safe at all.I recorded gospel backing vocals with Gordon Campbell (Beyonce, Earth Wind Fire, Jessica Simpson) and hearing those lush, gorgeous melody lines, I had tears in my eyes. I knew we had touched on something special, something honest.
I hope it encourages people to live their truest dreams out in full colour. I know how daunting it is and I would recommend it, every single time. The second verse: 'You've been tip toeing and circling around your truest dream, as if shrinking and unthinking it is somehow safekeeping." It still gets me.
Debris
My morning affirmations in 432hz. I wanted a really musical, neo soul inspired morning song. Something happy and upbeat but also complex; I feel good, I feel free, living intentionally.You've moved though the emotions, the heaviness, you've done the shadow work and are committed to feeling good in yourself every day. It's a practice I do and re-do. A reminder that we are the architects of our future days, we set the tone – and I want to set it to the frequency of the universe.
432hz reduces stress, aligns with nature, slows down breath, increases mental clarity – why wouldn't we start our day to this magical frequency?!
