Music Style Rock / Punk / with a twist of Hip Hop

Artist History 'Crave', the band's second release, is filled with energetic, strong hooked, mind driving songs. With 14 tracks that illustrate Rayko's ability not only to express herself in her songwriting but her lyrics are so close to home that her young/ young at heart audience can relate. For above reasons and many more, songs from 'Crave' have been featured in quite a few films as well as MTV's 'Undressed'. --------------------------------------------------- 'Crave' was produced by David Dunn & co-produced by Rayko. David Dunn who has been working with major icons in the business admits to doing some of his best work on this release. Mastering, done by the legendary Bob Ludwig (who has lent his creative talents to virtually every super star in the industry) has helped capture Rayko’s bold & brash new alternative rock style. Featuring spotlight tracks like 'Crave', 'Girl Rock', 'Dig Jelly', 'End Game', 'Money to the ban', Rayko continues to write great songs. Dig Jelly is in the process of making their 3rd CD, titled 'For Your Inner Angry Child'. From their 3 song EP previewing their 3rd release, you can see even higher growth of Rayko’s writing skills not only to keep up to date, but to capture the attention of tomorrow’s audience. And to hit the youth market hard and strong. If you enjoy live performances, Dig Jelly is special to watch. They have a blend of raw energy and sex appeal that grabs the attention of everyone in any given venue. Their upbeat personalities and showmanship on stage are not only well received by their audience but by anyone they meet. Show after show has proved to be a testament to their hard work and dedication, proving their potential to do great things in the music industry throughout the world.

Group Members Dig Jelly is fronted by Rayko (vocal / rhythm guitar / writer) and Joey Felix (drums), Morgan Lewis (lead guitar), Ralph Rivers (bass) and Atley Siauw (DJ).

Press Reviews CD Baby.com By Derek Sivers Shining Example: I went to the Eat'm Music Conference in Las Vegas, summer 1999. Hundreds of artists there but one made the biggest impression on me. I noticed her first because she's gorgeous, but the other stuff quickly made that unimportant - and there's an inspiring lesson in here. Her name is Rayko. Japanese musician from L.A. She was going up to every single person at the conference introducing herself, getting into great conversations, finding out what everyone does, taking notes. Every time someone handed her a business card, she grabbed her pen and wrote down notes about that person on the back, to help her remember. She probably befriended hundreds of people in 3 days, including me. Whenever she has a show on the road, she goes in the day before to do countless meet-and-greet interviews, in-store appearances, flyer-promotion, and every other promotion tool you've ever heard of. She gets right into the crowd after every show to sell CDs and sign up hundreds of people to the mailing list. She answers every fan letter with a hand-written letter. She immediately sends a thank-you card to every biz contact she meets. And all the while, she's constantly practicing and writing and recording new music. I was on the receiving end of this when, the very first day back from the conference, she called me in New York to take care of getting on to CD Baby. Who knows if she called 200 people that day, but damn she knows how to make you feel like you're the most important one. (And yep - 2 days later her whole package with CDs, shirts, videos, and purple handwritten letter were at my door.) This is exactly the same success story I've heard is behind Garth Brooks and Madonna (and even Bill Clinton, actually.) Meeting everyone. Remembering everyone's name. Developing relationships. Following up and constantly keeping in touch. Treating everyone special. Who knows if this is just part of her personality, or if it's a trait she developed because her career is THAT important to her. So - the real point of giving you all these details - is analyzing your own networking and promoting efforts. I've heard many great records at CD Baby. But I've only seen a few great promoters. Maybe there are people out there promoting their butts off and I just don't know about it - the same way I wouldn't have known about Rayko if I wasn't in that room at that moment. If you care about your music, and you really REALLY want - in your heart and bones - to become incredibly successful at it, you're going to have to go meet tons of people and "plug away" with tireless drive, and joyful determination every waking moment. Meet every person you can and treat them the way you'd love to be treated. And still somehow balance this with making the Yolk Magazine By Alex Luu Photo: Jaimee Itagaki. Stylist: Penelope Wolfe. Make-up/hair: Dorit Genazzani. Rock Girl It is standing room only inside The Gig on Saturday night in Hollywood. The vibe amongst the diverse crowd is unmistakably electric, ready to spill out into the surprisingly empty main drag of Melrose Avenue. The usual weekend Melrose partygoers, Weirdos, and rock/punk head bangers have crammed themselves into the dark club to witness the second coming of no-nonesense hard core rock and roll. In this age of Britney lip syncs and boy band buffoons, true fans of crafty songwriting and real singing turn to place like The Gig, The Viper Room, and The Roxy in hopes of discovering a real band with a real singer who actually writes her/his own songs. Tonight, a petite and physically endowed 20 something woman Rayko stands front and center at the mic. She is dressed in an extremely tight sheer long sleeve top that both pulls at and kisses her full voluptuous breasts and a pair of blue jean shorts that ride up her backside. The blue spotlight casts a shimmering velvet glow across her toned smooth legs supported by a pair of monster platform boots. The guitar player Morgan Lewis, bass player Ralph Rivers, drummer Joey Felix, and DJ True 129 rip into the first hauntingly electrifying opening chords of “Crave,” the fifth song in a tight 45 minute set. She closes her eyes, feels the ear shattering cheers of the crowd. The painful opening line float out of her mouth, her voice high and light like a little girl. “I will die for you/ and if I do tonight/ will you cry to see me go/ and I’ll lie -- yeah, I’ll lie to you tonight.....” Then without warning, as if out of a trance, she springs to life like a marionette whose strings have been cut. With her Les Paul, her flexible body explodes into raunchy yet graceful gyrations as she launches into the song’s abrupt and faster second stanza and chorus. Her voice becomes harder and more defiant, spitting out the acid lyrics in a thunderous yet sexy cry. “I will steal the sky/ and I ‘ll write your ugly name/ and I’ll spit all over you tonight.....” The crowd goes wild, singing along and pumping their fists in the air. Charged by this burst of energy, she leaps into the air, her long wispy blonde hair glowing like a lion’s gorgeous mane. She is visibly enraptured by the moment, at once conscious of and oblivious to the screaming fans. “And if I shoot your many many friends -- nothing really matters/ nothing really matters to you/ kill me daddy, I love you/ kill me daddy, love me back/ when was the last time you saw my mommy’s face -- nothing really matters, nothing really matters to you.” Welcome to the hard rocking non-stop world of Dig Jelly (formally known as Rayko). A world of heart braking songs and blood, sweat and tears indie rock/ pop with a lethal dose of hip hop punk, all delivered by a beautiful woman with brains, guts, mischievous angel’s voice, and a body to die for. Just two days later, Rayko strides into a nondescript cafe in Old Town Pasadena for some midday coffee and conversation about music. Dressed in a pair of brown thigh-hugging jeans, black vest with a plunging neckline, and black sunglasses, Rayko looked more like a model than a girl rocker. “I did dabble in modeling and acting for a while when I came here,” says the Tokyo, Japan, transplant. “That was many years ago and all through that time music was always the main focus in my life.” Listening to Rayko speak and move - her wide flailing gestures of arms and hands like a seagull flapping its expansive wings - one would have no clue that this is a woman who comes from a much conservative and repressive culture. But that’s where everything started for her, her native Japan. “I was a classically trained pianist, and my parents were into Jazz music and they used to have these Jazz parties,” Rayko remembers. “At first I didn’t really appreciate it, and like any other kid I wanted to be outside and play with my friends. I have an older sister and we used to play and write and sing together. My introduction to all styles of music really came from her.” That early formal education in music made a lasting impact on a young Rayko. It was only a few years later that she decided to follow her sister to the States. “Everything here was so cheap compared to Japan!” Reasonable rent and groceries notwithstanding, Rayko quickly realized the freedom that the United States offered. “The true reason I decided to stay here is because you can be different and be true to yourself, and people would accept you.” Once here, Rayko quickly parlayed her love of music into a passionate and no-holds-barred focus into turning her dream of becoming a rock singer into reality. Self-producing and writing her own songs, Rayko managed to produce her first CD and followed that up with second breakout CD Crave. Right after the recording of Crave, Rayko assembled the current lineup and played every local and out of town gig she book. “You just have to go out there and give it everything you got,” she says. “that’s the only way you’re going to build a following.” The hard working of touring and playing has definitely paid off for Dig Jelly. The band’s website digjelly.com now boasts roughly 1,500 ( in So, Cal. many more nation wide) fans that have stormed their shows with infectious devotion and grassroots outreach. “There are always new fans of our music after each club gig, which is a great feeling. It’s nice to know that the songs I write are touching people and that the word-of-mouth spreads out.” Add to that Three nominations for “Best Alternative band”, “Best Pop band” and “Best female vocalist” at the prestigious award show which they won the “Best Alternative Band” of the year. “ I don’t want to do anything half-assed. I want to put a hundred and fifty percent attention to my music,” she declares. And what about the highly personal lyrics? Do her fans connect with her mostly autobiographical songs? “Yeah, it’s all about me, especially “Crave” and “In your house,” rayko explains of the two amazingly raw and emotionally naked tracks from the Crave CD. “My father died in January 2001 and we became the best of friends in the last 10 years. He was a very smart man, very hardworking individual. My dad had some problems within our family. My sister. my mother and I experienced some difficulties with him. I had never explained that to him in words, because in Asian culture you don’t really talk as father and daughter. We don’t talk to each other and say, “I love you” when you leave the house. I got to express my anger and feelings through songwriting. After all that was aid and done he’s been the greatest guy, I miss him very much. I’m so very happy that we got to be the best of friends. He had complete faith in me making it in music than anyone else.” The idea of “making it” is also filtered through a non-traditional perspective. Since she’s been writing, producing, and singing, playing her own music, Rayko takes the anticipation of singing with major record label all in stride. “I really admire bands like Green Day and Creed because they moved a lot of units before they were signed,” she offers. “They toured a lot by themselves and built a strong fan base. Record company see that so they negotiate really good deals with those bands. Of course you’re going to lose a lot on the first record deal but I don’t just want to have one record. I want to be able to make at least five, six records. I want to get to the point where the record companies will have faith in us by our success with the units we’re able to move and our live shows.” Now hard at work in the studio recording the third CD, Rayko has little time to breath. “I have no other life. This is what I do. I never leave home without the new promotional CD for the third CD,” Rayko says, leaning in and taking off her sunglasses for maximum effect. “I don’t want us to be just another chick fronted band. I wanna be one of the dudes so I really need to keep up with it. It’s still a chauvinist world out there. So the stuff has to be heavy and energetic and kick-ass. I take all that crap, all these obstacles into a positive thinking. I ‘m Asian and I’m a girl and I kick ass.” Entertainment Today Reviewer: Paul Andersen It is a matter of When! Their press bio links Rayko of Dig Jelly to Garbage's Shirley Manson, but if you ask me, Rayko's energy and alt, rock leanings remind me more of, say, an updated Joan Jett for the new millennium. She's a rocker through and through, as their excellent CD "Crave" gives ample evidence, and she write some wicked tunes, too. Add that together with her sultry siren sexiness and a business acumen that is rare these days, and you've got one helluva package, as your uncle Irv might say. For this girl, stardom is not a matter of if, but a matter of when. Dig Jelly's "Crave" was one of the best indie rock releases I came across last year, full of bristling, sexy, hook-laden rock that sounds as if Joan Jett had a case of vixenish road rage against Shirley Manson and kicked her ass on the side of 405. From all reports, the new material that they are presently recording for release this summer is even better. In other words, they rock. If you haven't experienced them yet, well, what the hell are you waiting for? Live Magazine Reviewer: Sue Nami Ok, who's interested in why I missed the opening bands? No thought not! Who's interested in why I didn't stick around to see whoever was after Dig Jelly? Right! Why would I care, there is no way any of them could have touched Dig Jelly for sizzling rock'n roll power! This band is great to look at and they have an incredible show. This was my first time seeing them, and even a battered, jaded old cynic like me could not fail to be impressed. Dig Jelly has a scratchmaster, his name is DJ True 129 and he adds a whole new dimension to the band. The focal point, of course is Rayko. This diminutive bombshell explodes onto the stage and into the audience's eyes and ears and never lets up for one second. Blasting her way through a set that included not only one but two killer, bona fide potential rock and roll classics, "Crave" and "Dramatic Suicide" she writhed, pouted, leapt and strutted with a confidence that comes from the knowledge that she is pleasing the crowd. I'm glad I drove an hour each way for a glimpse of what the LA music scene has to offer. Rock City News Reviewers:Cheetah Mama, Ronald V At The Whisky Reviewer: Cheeta Mama Here I was thinking' I was gonna get to the Whiskey early and have time to get moderately sloshed before all the crowd showed up and made the bar lines long, damm was I wrong. The place was packed wall to wall even with the back stair case gone leaving no room. The band Dig Jelly was up in the limelight and the singer Rayko was bouncing her bouncies all over the place and driving the crowd nuts. And she can really sing, too! Hope they stay around a while so I can see them again! In your face attitude Reviewer: Ronald V Rock City News Songs on this CD are about heartfelt issues, from a woman's perspective-but with the power of rock and roll behind her (a truly provocative combination) High-energy, power pop modern rock musical assault such as this breathes life into an otherwise stale music scene. Canyon Lake Times Guardian The CD: Crave, That would have to be the perfect name for this CD, because when you push play...you "crave" to hear more! I predict Crave will make Dig Jelly a favorite state-to-state! Rayko is easy on the eyes for the guys and maybe the envy of a girl or two, but hey girls, get over it, she's great! On that note, let me brag about the CD. It's an awesome alternative rock sound. It's creative in lyrics and full of musical hooks! It's got twists and turns that keep you entertained. Rayko's voice is purely refreshing - nothing ordinary here. I see great things happening for this band. Check them out, you'll be glad you did! Valerie Delacruz, Wrpi Radiogirls Show This girl has what it takes to make it. Rayko's evocative use of electronics and vox effects make her music very memorable, just when you think the rock will be dizzying, her lovely voice cuts through to bring you back to the ground.

Location Los Angeles, CA - USA

Copyright notice. All material on MP3.com is protected by copyright law and by international treaties. You may download this material and make reasonable number of copies of this material only for your own personal use. You may not otherwise reproduce, distribute, publicly perform, publicly display, or create derivative works of this material, unless authorized by the appropriate copyright owner(s).