Pem shares haunting new single ‘Ellipsis’
Pem, the musical alter ego of Bristol-based artist Emily Perry, crafts songs that feel like living, breathing entities. An emotional ecosystem, her sound migrates like a group of birds flying south for the winter, each track undulating and pulsating like a freshwater river. Through stories of love, loss and her relationship with nature, Pem embroiders a stunning musical patchwork that sets her apart from the rest.
Her latest single ‘Ellipsis’ is part of her broader musical narrative, embodying her multidisciplinary style. Pem expertly weaves together atmospheric production, raw confessional lyrics, haunting choreography and dreamy vocal melodies. The song’s sonic palette is somewhat sparse yet poignant in its execution. Featuring shimmering guitars and minimalist rhythms, Pem’s tremulous voice is the beacon shining beneath it all. “It’s called ‘Ellipsis’ because of those three dots at the end of the sentence that leave things unresolved”, says Pem. “Ellipses aka grand miscommunications and aversions to concrete endings”.
Raised with an eclectic mix of influences, her mother and father introduced her to a wide range of genres, with car rides blasting anything from Joni Mitchell and Davie Bowie to Kate Bush and Neil Young. As fate would have it, the singer-songwriter soon discovered her own personal musical taste, taking notes from Radiohead and Elliot Smith before teaching herself guitar.
She then turned her hand to developing her own unique, husky vocal style, one that wouldn’t feel out of place echoing through an ancient woodland. Inspired by the greats, she tapped into the raw, emotional quivers and trembles often heard in the voices of Eartha Kitt and Billie Holiday. While Pem’s singing style is delicate and ethereal on the surface, gravelly tones occasionally peek through, adding a layer of maturity and wisdom beyond her years.
References to the sky and sea are etched with both awe and melancholy, illustrating how the natural world can reflect the emotional tempests we endure. The stripped-back arrangement evokes an eerie sense of stillness, much like the calm before a storm, reflective of Pem’s exploration of grief – a common thread throughout her works. The feeling of loss is central to her latest project, Cloud Work, inspired by her father’s passing last year. Produced by Ali Chant, known for her work with artists like Yard Act and Katy J Pearson, every pause and breath feels intentional, with many of the accompanying tracks acting as personal tributes to her dad, each title serving as fond yet bittersweet memories.
Her first EP, Songs About Hands (2022), came about after her experience studying psychotherapy. Exploring intense themes like disassociation and memory, she continues to transport her listeners into a vulnerable state of introspection. Twinkly eyed vocals secured her support slots alongside British rock royalty The Last Dinner Party, as well as a shortlist for Glastonbury’s Emerging Talent Competition.
Unlike many artists today, Pem has the rare gift of being able to channel personal trauma into art in a way that feels authentic. Not only is ‘Ellipsis’ a testament to her bravery, but it is also a powerful musical medium in which sorrow and beauty can co-exist. With headline shows at The Lexington, appearances at Ritual Union and Bristol Sounds under her belt and a UK/EU tour supporting Bess Atwell and W.H. Lung now in full swing, Pem is well on her way to becoming one of the UK’s most exciting and soul-stirring new acts.
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