Local Bands

Gemma playing live

The 26 year old from Moseley has only been singing for three years, a talent she says she didn't even know she had.

"I've played the guitar since the age of about nine but I didn't discover I could sing until I was about 23. My mum and dad were most surprised because they never thought I could sing (laughs)."

"It's really weird. I was in my last year of uni and I think I was a bit bored with my degree and I just sat down with my guitar again. All these songs just came out. It was the most exciting thing ever really because I express myself in other ways by doing art and painting but then I found music and it's the best way.

Thursdays 10pm - midnight from 23/10/08

"I work full time as a designer and try and squeeze music in as much as I can. But this is obviously what I'd love to do all of the time. It's just a slow hard build really – you have to keep plugging away."

Gemma is currently gigging extensively around the West Midlands and has supported some of the biggest breakout names from the local circuit.

"I supported Nizlopi at Gigbeth 2006 on the opening night. It was amazing – I played before about 2,000 people in the Barfly. I'd only been playing for about three months at that point so it was quite overwhelming but also absolutely brilliant. Scott Matthews too – I've supported him quite a few times before he made it quite big. He's a lovely guy and one of my main influences."

Gemma's concept art

Expanding her set, Gemma is now accompanied by Birmingham double-act The Great Rain, who provide backing with guitars and drums.

"We've only just started playing in the last three months together before that I was on my own. I find that it's really enhanced the music having them behind me. It just helps having an extra bit of push behind you and it makes it more fun."

To listen again to Gemma Quarterman performing live on BBC WM Introducing, click the link at the top of this page.

For more information, visit: www.myspace.com/gemmaquarterman