by LORRAINE CARPENTER

I know what you're thinking, and it's truly outrageous. This Jem didn't lift her moniker from the pink-haired singer of the '80s cartoon classic Jem and the Holograms, a minor cultural force in Jemma Griffiths' native Wales. Likewise, Griffiths' music owes more to the singer-songwriter tradition, dance music, hip hop and rock than the kiddie-punk Barbie's plasticine pop. With a song written for Madonna ("Nothing Fails," the third single from American Life) and a performance of Paul McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed" on The O.C. to her credit, Jem's debut album Finally Woken has infiltrated the impenetrable U.S. charts.

While studying law at Brighton's University of Sussex in the mid-'90s, Jem started working as a DJ and promoter with clubs and music festivals, booking the likes of Fatboy Slim and Afrika Bambaataa. She and fellow DJ Adam Freeland then formed a breakbeat label called Marine Parade (which recently folded), a valuable experience for her blossoming singing career, particularly her relationship with Dave Matthews' label ATO (According to Our) Records.

"I know how you get from A to B to C behind the scenes, so as much as my label was like, ‘Oh shit, she's got a law degree' - they were probably a bit gutted that they couldn't pull the wool over my eyes - they're happy 'cause I really do respect and acknowledge what they're doing for me," says Jem, who has since launched a second label, Crazywisemusic, to release her record on vinyl.

Apart from the precedent set by Dido and Beth Orton, to whom her voice is frequently compared, Jem attributes her good luck in the U.S. to working with true music lovers such as producers Ge-Ology, Yoad Nevo, Madonna alumnus Guy Sugsworth (who co-wrote "Nothing Fails") and her three-piece live band.

"I never wanted to be a singer standing 10 miles out in front with the band in the shadows, and they're such amazing musicians," she says. "I really enjoyed the last tour, but deep down there was some anxiety. Now it's finally sunk in - I'm a singer, I look forward to every show and I'm with the right people. We're blessed, really."

With Blue Merle at Cabaret on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 9 p.m., $15

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