A GIRL FROM HARARE. One of my favorite things about writing this EP had to be the moments of clarity. I wanted to tell some of the stories that stuck with me during the process. Stories of people I connected with, of places I experienced, of dreams I was having. Stories of nostalgia and expectations, of mistakes and of victories. In the moments of clarity before I wrote them down, I would just be with them. Just me and the stories. And now, on Friday, it will be us and the stories. You and me, and the stories will be told.
According to Gemma, the 9 track EP was written and recorded on a journey of over 500 days, through 10 different countries across the African continent. In a Landrover Defender, Gemma and film-maker Marc Neilson started an epic adventure which began in Cape Town, South Africa and included a trek through the Namibian desert, Mozambique’s Quirimba Archipelago as well as the East African coastline passing through Uganda’s Bwindi impenetrable forest.
'A Girl From Harare' is a collection of stories Gemma lived along the way. It’s also a reflection of the lessons she carried with her from her home, Zimbabwe. Gemma expressed pride in her latest project, highlighting how she loved discovering the continent and herself along the way.
The EP has production from some the best producers Zimbabwe has to offer. Murphy Cubic and DJ Tamuka have production on several tracks while for most of the project Gemma reunited with longtime collaborator, Charlie Kay who produced her debut EP Pamwe.