The Dirty Gems

New York's The Dirty Gems have evolved. Starting off as a jazz combo after meeting at school, the first step in their evolution came as they became a covers band, before various line up changes led to them setting out as a bona fide soul pop outfit. Since then, they’ve released a handful of EP’s to growing critical acclaim.
Citing No Doubt, Gnarls Barkley, Janelle Monáe, as well as Jeff Beck s influences, it’s glamourous pop sheen of Rumours era Fleetwood Mac that pops into the mind when listening to their new track Insomniac, taken from their upcoming EP, out in the Autumn.
True, there’s a certain bluesy funk to proceedings, with Raycee’s vocal full of soulfulness, and these fluid lines of guitar making it almost a duet. But there’s more to it than that – smatterings of organ and this rather fantastic stuttering drum set in particular, but then it pops into the sort of chorus thats spmething straight out of the Buckingham / Nicks cannon.

Yeah, its that good. Vive le Evolution – or something like that, anyway. - Backseat Mafia

As New York sextet the Dirty Gems unleash a storm of grandiosity on the chorus of their latest single “Insomniac,” something about it just feels different compared to other such pop rock ditties. The element of surprise here is the soul-inflected vocals of Raycee Jones, which gives the song an irresistibly impassioned vibe. As a result, “Insomniac” has the anthemic catharsis often found on a break-through single or television show soundtracker.

A full album is still forthcoming, but the Dirty Gems have two EPs – self-titled and Vujà Dé – under their belt. Listen to “Insomniac” below. - Lyynks Music

Combining different genres in one track could be a tedious task. When one tries to blend pop, rock, and soul into one furnished material, it could lead to a total disaster or make one fine piece of masterpiece.

Thankfully, The Dirty Gems has proven that it’s possible to cross over genres without trying too hard. The New York-based band released their new single “Insomniac” and it’s as if the title speaks for itself because the track is so good that it’s gonna haunt you once you started listening to it. It’s that beautiful kind of haunting though, and it’s such a refreshing treat to come across a band as fearless as this one.

The Dirty Gems took all the beautiful elements from all their influences–No Doubt, Gnarls Barkley, and Janelle Monáe–and pressed them all in one track that, of course, turned into something else, something more. “Insomniac” is that type of track you just listen to again and again because everything is on-point: from the arrangement to the vocals.

There’s only one single flaw in this whole thing and that’s only the fact that you wish they had more tracks you can listen to. The wait won’t be too long, hopefully, as The Dirty Gems are looking to release a new EP this fall. - The Magic Room Project

Long Island based at one time, now Brooklyn based The Dirty Gems just released a clean cut new EP “Vujà Dé,” which showcases a wide range, featuring tracks flirting with arena rock grandiosity (the sinister anti-love anthem 'Nasty') and more chilled and soulful ballads ('I Don't Wanna Die' and 'Automatic Heart'). The Soul Pop outfit puts on one hell of a live show too, with an on stage chemistry that only comes from musicians with years of experience playing together. See them Brooklyn band when they play Knitting Factory on Aug 26th. - Paul Jordan Talbot - The Deli

“Vujà Dé” includes six tracks co-written by the band members.

“The entire band comes together and finishes each song by adding their own flare to the arrangements. It’s a complete collaborative effort and that’s what makes our band so unique,” Jones explained.

The diversity of the band members’ individual musical backgrounds definitely shapes TDG’s eclectic sound. The other band members are: Ulises Amaya (bass), Gary Heimbauer (guitar), Mills (piano, backup vocals), and Astorian Cam Underhill (synth). All can be found living throughout Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn.

TDG will be headlining The Knitting Factory in Brooklyn, Aug. 26.

In October they will be shooting a music video for one of the tracks off “Vujà Dé.” And, they have a new single titled “Let Me Loose.” - TimesLedger

The Dirty Gems sound is exactly what pop music needs right now. Lead singer, Raycee Jones, is a mixture between Gwen Stefani and Adele, but her sound is certainly her own. Their music can make even the most jaded New Yorker break out into a smile. Resistance is futile when it comes to The Dirty Gems. - The Daily National