EMM GRYNER

In a career spanning over a decade and a half, Emm Gryner has amazed fans and critics alike with her daring forays into various genres and collaborations and for calling her own shots. The myriad of milestones achieved during the eight years since she was unceremoniously dumped by a major-label mere months after releasing her sophomore album, Public, in 1998 are proof that she excels in her chosen musical journey.

Gryner can name-drop a diverse roster of collaborators and admirers that includes everyone from Nelly Furtado and Lou Barlow to Rob Zombie and Def Leppard; the last repaid her for covering "Pour Some Sugar on Me" on 2001's Girl Versions by inviting her to play piano on their own covers record, Yeah in 2006. In addition, Emm spent a year and a half as one of David Bowie's hand-picked backup singers and one of Gryner’s many admirers is U2 front man Bono, who named Gryner's power-pop ballad "Almighty Love" as one of five songs he wishes he'd written. (Q Magazine's 20th-anniversary issue)

Upon leaving the major label roster, Emm set up her own label, Dead Daisy Records and started on her ninth release, The Summer of High Hopes, luring Shudder To Think guitarist Nathan Larson (scores for Boys Don't Cry, Velvet Goldmine, The Messenger) back from the world of film-soundtrack composition. Emm enjoyed the Larson collaboration so much that she joined him in Hot One, a supergroup of sorts that also included former Guided by Voices drummer Kevin March.

Emm has shared the performance stage with a diverse roster of artists including Josh Ritter, Jann Arden (co-wrote a song), David Bowie, Ron Sexsmith, Esthero , Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins , Semi-Precious Weapons , Ladysmith Black Mambazo , Rufus Wainwright , Melissa Ferrick and Sarah McLachlan. After releasing and touring Summer of High Hopes, Emm took time off to contribute to The Cake Sale, a nearly all-Irish album featuring Gary Lightbody, Damien Rice, Lisa Hannigan among others. Her song "Blackwinged Bird" was recorded featuring Nina Persson of The Cardigans and MOJO called the song "a Lennonesque ballad".

In addition to recording the new album, Gem and I, Gryner also found the time to embark upon two more full tours; as well as a starring role in the hit indie film "One Week" in which she shares the screen with Joshua Jackson, (Dawson’s Creek, Fringe). Earlier in 2010, Emm became a new Mother of a baby boy.

Gem and I was recorded in Los Angeles with Greg Wells at Rocket Carousel studio. The album is a collection of duets recorded with fellow artists Joe Elliott, Joel Plaskett, a Teganless Sara Quin, Bubbles of Trailer Park Boys fame, Tom Dunne (of the Irish band Something Happens), Royal Wood, Sass Jordan, Justin Sullivan (New Model Army) amongst others. The album also features the string arrangements of legendary Elton John co-hort Paul Buckmaster. Songs on Gem and I echo everything from warm 1970's singer-songwriter fare ("Sunrise Sometime") to the tongue-in-cheek, analog piano jam "Lose My Head", about the 2002 decapitation of a Margaret Thatcher marble statue and its recent replacement.

With a career highlighted by a multitude of industry and artist kudos as well as three Juno Award nominations (two for Best Pop Album), Gryner remains a business woman of high caliber, fiercely devoted to her fans. House concerts in fans' homes, revealing journal entries (emmgryner.com) and handwritten personal notes that go out with albums all help Gryner stay close with her followers.

Upon the release of Gem and I and with a collection of devoted fans and colleagues alike, Gryner is poised continue to be recognized as one of the top songwriters around today.