During her early school years she explored her musical interests with the family piano, penning her first song at the age of thirteen.

[1][5] In early 1998, alongside Adam Freeland, she co-founded and helped run the specialist breakbeat/hip hop record label Marine Parade.

[1] In 2000, Jem moved to London where she met Sugababes manager Sarah Stennett, with whom she began a professional relationship.

[1] In 2001, Jem travelled to Brooklyn, New York City, teaming up with hip hop producer Ge-Ology and co-producer Yoad Nevo.

[1] In March 2002, Jem stopped by independent radio station KCRW to leave a demo of her song "Finally Woken" in Nic Harcourt's mailbox.

This was followed by "Just a Ride" in June and "Wish I" in September, which was used as the theme tune to UK reality television programme Celebrity Love Island.

[7] Jem licensed every song on her album to be broadcast on American television programs, films and advertisements as a method of promotion.

[8] In 2006, Jem decided to cease touring and to spend a year focusing on writing new material and developing her second studio album.

During the production of her album, Jem wrote and lent her vocals to the song "Once in Every Lifetime" which appeared on the Eragon movie soundtrack.

Jem's musical style is varied and encompasses genres such as trip hop, electronica, pop rock and new wave, with critics often associating her with other female musicians Dido and Beth Orton.

They had originally met in 2005, on the set of filming the music video for "Wish I", where George acted the role of Jem's love interest.