Who is PJ Harvey?

PJ Harvey (real name Polly Jean Harvey) is an English singer-songwriter, musician and composer. She is known for her unique blend of styles, ranging from rock to punk, folk to blues, and her captivating lyrics. She has released nine studio albums since 1992, including the Mercury Prize-winning Let England Shake (2011).

Early Life

Harvey was born on October 9th 1969 in Dorset, England. She picked up the guitar at age 13 and formed the band Automatic Dlamini with some friends at school. The band released two albums before disbanding in 1992.

Career

After Automatic Dlamini disbanded, Harvey launched her solo career with the release of Dry in 1992. The album was met with critical acclaim and made her an instant star in the indie rock scene. Her follow-up album Rid Of Me (1993) was also well-received by critics, and cemented her status as one of the most important female artists of the 90s.

Later Career

After a break from recording, Harvey returned in 2000 with the album Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea. The album won her a Mercury Prize in 2001 and was followed by Uh Huh Her (2004) and White Chalk (2007). She teamed up with John Parish to record A Woman A Man Walked By in 2009, before releasing Let England Shake (2011) which won another Mercury Prize. Her most recent album The Hope Six Demolition Project was released in 2016.

Collaborations

Throughout her career, Harvey has collaborated with a number of artists including John Parish, Thom Yorke and Nick Cave. In 2011 she formed the band PJ Harvey & John Parish which recorded two albums together.

Legacy

PJ Harvey has been an influential artist throughout her career, inspiring many younger musicians with her unique blend of styles and powerful lyrics. She has won two Mercury Prizes for her albums Let England Shake (2011) and Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea (2000). Her legacy continues to inspire musicians around the world.