PJ Harvey

Biography

Polly Jean Harvey, known professionally as PJ Harvey, was born on October 9, 1969, in Bridport, Dorset, England, and grew up on a farm in Corscombe, Dorset. She began her musical journey in 1988 as a member of the Bristol-based band Automatic Dlamini, where she played guitar, saxophone, and provided vocals. This formative period introduced her to key collaborators, notably John Parish, who would become a lifelong creative partner.

In 1991, Harvey formed the PJ Harvey trio with Rob Ellis and Steve Vaughan, quickly gaining critical attention with the raw, visceral albums 'Dry' (1992) and 'Rid of Me' (1993). After the trio disbanded, Harvey embarked on a solo career, evolving her sound with each release. Her work spans alternative rock, art pop, and singer-songwriter traditions, characterized by her distinctive voice, multi-instrumental skills, and evocative, often mythic lyricism. Albums like 'To Bring You My Love' (1995), 'Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea' (2000), and 'Let England Shake' (2011) have been especially lauded, earning her two Mercury Prizes—the only artist to win the award twice.

Harvey's legacy is marked by her fearless reinvention, critical acclaim, and influence on alternative and indie music. She has collaborated with a range of artists and producers, including John Parish, Mick Harvey, and Flood, and her work has inspired a generation of musicians with its emotional depth and innovative approach. In 2013, she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her contributions to music.

Fun Facts

• PJ Harvey is the only artist to have won the Mercury Prize twice, for 'Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea' (2000) and 'Let England Shake' (2011).
• She is a skilled multi-instrumentalist, proficient in guitar, piano, saxophone, autoharp, and more.
• Harvey studied sculpture at Central Saint Martins College of Art & Design in London before fully committing to music.
• Her long-time visual collaborator, Maria Mochnacz, has directed and photographed most of her album covers and music videos.

Associated Acts

• Desert Sessions
• Automatic Dlamini

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• John Parish - Band leader in Automatic Dlamini and long-term collaborator; described by Harvey as her 'musical soulmate'. (Automatic Dlamini (late 1980s), 'Dance Hall at Louse Point' (1996), 'A Woman a Man Walked By' (2009)) [1988–present]

Key Collaborators

• Rob Ellis - Drummer and founding member of the PJ Harvey trio; continued to collaborate on solo albums. ('Dry' (1992), 'Rid of Me' (1993), various solo albums) [1991–present]
• Mick Harvey - Multi-instrumentalist and producer; contributed to several albums. ('To Bring You My Love' (1995), 'Is This Desire?' (1998)) [mid-1990s–2000s]
• Flood - Producer and engineer; helped shape Harvey's sound on multiple records. ('To Bring You My Love' (1995), 'Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea' (2000), 'Let England Shake' (2011)) [1995–2016]
• Eric Drew Feldman - Keyboardist and arranger; contributed to several albums. ('To Bring You My Love' (1995), 'Is This Desire?' (1998)) [mid-1990s–2000s]

Artists Influenced

• Anna Calvi - Cites Harvey as a major influence on her approach to songwriting and performance. (Anna Calvi's self-titled debut (2011)) [2010s]
• Sharon Van Etten - Inspired by Harvey's emotional honesty and musical experimentation. ('Are We There' (2014)) [2010s]
• St. Vincent (Annie Clark) - Has spoken about Harvey's influence on her artistic development. ('Strange Mercy' (2011)) [2010s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Down By The Water (To Bring You My Love)
2. This Mess We're In (Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea)
3. The Wind (Is This Desire?)
4. Henry Lee (feat. PJ Harvey) (Murder Ballads (2011 - Remaster))
5. Good Fortune (Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea)
6. This Is Love (Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea)
7. Piano Fire (It's A Wonderful Life)
8. You Said Something (Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea)
9. Rid Of Me (Rid Of Me)
10. C'mon Billy (To Bring You My Love)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #alternative-rock, #alternative-singer-songwriter, #art-rock