Gem Club

Combining airy vocals with orchestral arrangements, Gem Club delivers a polished take on dream pop. Formed in Somerville, Massachusetts, singer/pianist Christopher Barnes is the principal group member, but brought classically trained cellist/bells/singer Kristen Drymala into the fold after hearing her perform at a party. The pair self-released the Acid and Everything EP in summer 2010, catching the attention of Paste magazine’s blog, as well as taking the concept of bedroom recording a step further by packaging the disc with hand-stitched pillowcases. As the duo performed around Boston, alt-weekly the Phoenix crowned them Best New Act in its 2011 Best Music Poll, and full-length debut, Breakers, followed that September for the Hardly Art label. The group's sophomore outing, 2014's In Roses, was recorded at John Vanderslice's Tiny Telephone studios with the help of arranger/conductor Minna Choi.