The only artist to receive the Mercury Prize twice, PJ Harvey established a career characterized by stylistic evolution and frequent collaboration. Born in 1969 in Corscombe, United Kingdom, she emerged from the local music scene in the late 1980s before gaining international recognition for her work as a singer, guitarist, and composer.
Early Musical Development
Raised on a family farm in Corscombe, Harvey was influenced by her parents' interest in blues and rock. She attended Beaminster School, where she studied guitar with Steve Knightley, and later pursued visual arts at Yeovil College. As a teenager, she performed with an instrumental group called Bologne and the folk duo the Polekats. These early experiences provided her with foundational skills in guitar and saxophone performance.
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In 1988, Harvey joined Automatic Dlamini, a band founded by John Parish in 1983. During her tenure, she contributed vocals, guitar, and saxophone while touring extensively across Europe, including stops in Germany, Spain, and Poland. Although the band's second studio album remained unreleased, the collaboration established a lasting professional partnership with Parish, who would later contribute to her solo studio recordings.
Transition to Solo Artist
Harvey formed the PJ Harvey Trio in 1991 alongside Rob Ellis and Ian Oliver. After an initial performance in Charmouth, the group moved to London, where Harvey also studied sculpture at Central Saint Martins. The label Too Pure released their debut single, "Dress," in 1991. The trio produced the albums Dry and Rid of Me before disbanding, marking Harvey's transition to a career as a solo recording artist.
Recognition and Awards
Throughout her career, Harvey has received critical and institutional recognition. She won the Mercury Prize in 2001 for Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea and again in 2011 for Let England Shake. In 2013, she was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for her services to music. Her career has also included numerous nominations for Brit and Grammy awards.
Fast facts
- Born: 1969, Corscombe
- Citizenship: United Kingdom
- Education: Beaminster School, Central Saint Martins
- Primary instruments: Guitar, saxophone, vocals
- First Mercury Prize: 2001
- Second Mercury Prize: 2011
- Honour: Member of the Order of the British Empire (2013)
- Debut studio album: Dry (1992)
Questions readers ask
Did PJ Harvey play in other bands before her solo career?
Yes, she was a member of the band Automatic Dlamini from 1988 to 1991.
What is PJ Harvey's significance in music awards?
She is the only artist to have been awarded the Mercury Prize twice.
Achievements
- Educated at Central Saint Martins and Beaminster School
- Worked as singer-songwriter, composer and musician
