J*M*A: The neurodivergent solo artist on battling the music industry

London-born, Bedminster-based singer Jemma Roberts AKA J*M*A is the solo artist whose juggled singing, songwriting alongside a Masters degree as well as being open about her struggles with her Inattentive ADHD diagnosis.

Drawn to the need to self-express, Jemma started learning instruments, songwriting and singing as a way to step out of her shell and be vulnerable.

“I suppose when you’re a kid there is no music industry, just a need for self expression,” Jemma tells Bristol24/7.

“I went through a phase of completely rejecting music; I thought it was frivolous, pointless, but now I feel that trying to deny significant parts of you is not really great for your mental health and we should develop the interests, talents and skills we have while we’re able to.”

Growing up in Bristol, the artist and producer was exposed to all different styles and genres of music, from dub, ambient and house to mainstream acts like Queen, Nirvana, and Fleetwood Mac, as well as local legends Massive Attack, Portishead and Roni Size.

Drawn to such a varied collection of artists, Jemma’s solo music cannot be pigeon-holed.

Her newest single, Skeleton Key, which was released on October 31, is expansive and orchestral. Sweeping piano sounds alongside ambient synth melodies with Jemma’s haunting vocals permeating the track, it is a stunning release from the solo artist.

After learning online with artist and producer Liz Cirelli and then completing a Masters degree in Electronic Music Production at dBs, Skeleton Key was recorded at the dBs studio and self-produced by Jemma.

“I self-produce all my music at the moment because I have been working hard to gather the skills necessary to do so,” she tells us.

“It suits my nature to try to understand all the component parts of track creation – every track is a learning opportunity. I feel really empowered knowing I can make something from start to finish – especially being a neurodivergent woman in this industry!”

Like many women, Jemma was not diagnosed with Inattenive ADHD as a child and it wasn’t until later in life that she was officialy diagnosed.

The singer-songwriter is open about her struggles as being a neurodivergent woman in an industry which is known to be exclusive and tipped against the many.

“I think the music industry (and the world!) could benefit from having a better understanding of and more compassion for neurodivergent music creators.

“This means not just paying lip service but having accessibility options available like quiet rooms, being given as much clear information as possible (including video walkthroughs of venues/stage areas) and info about tech set up without asking.

“All these things and more, can help neurodivergent artists feel supported and valued for themselves rather than feeling like they have to do all the work masking to live up to neurotypical standards.”

While studying at dBs, Jemma was able to connect with other neurodivergent music creators and conduct research into how to support other neurodivergent artists in their music careers.

She points out that it’s important to support neurodivergent artists, such as Lewis Capaldi who suffers with Tourette Syndrome, due to the undue pressure from the industry to constantly be performing and producing work.

“I think we can do more to support neurodivergent artists,” Jemma explains.

“I can come across as self deprecating, which can be interpreted as a lack of confidence and it can be hard to speak up for yourself when your sense of self feels so mutable.”

Alongside producing her solo work and completing her Masters degree, Jemma has plans for future work that will help others.

“I’ll be conducting further sessions for The ADHD Music Producer, which is another project I have launched. The ADHD Music Producer is essentially- me!

“I want to show people it is possible to have a consistent, progressive career even when things feel harder for you. The idea is to provide  practical accountability and body doubling sessions for music creators to get stuff done and I’d love people to get in touch if they’d like peer support from other neurodivergent creators.”

An avid participant of the We All Play Synth nights that take place at Dareshack, Jemma promises we’ll be seeing more of her soon as she hopes to obtain funding for an EP and possible tour in 2024.

Main photo: 

Read next:

• Taking centre stage: Dom Porter on stepping out of the shadows
• Amity: The Bristol collective on stepping into new ground
• Olivia Rose on her musical persona, Gwen Stefani and exciting collaborations

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: