Polly Jean Harvey (born 9 October, 1969) is an English musician, singer-songwriter, composer and occassional artist.
Primarily known as a vocalist and guitarist, she is also proficient with a wide range of instruments including piano, organ, bass, saxophone, and most recently, the autoharp.
Harvey began her career in 1988 when she joined local band Automatic Dlamini, featuring long-term collaborator John Parish, as a vocalist and saxophone player. However, in 1991, she formed an eponymous trio and subsequently began her professional career. The trio released two studio albums, Dry (1992) and Rid of Me (1993) before disbanding, after which Harvey continued as a solo artist. Since 1995, she has released a further six studio albums with collaborations from various musicians including John Parish, former bandmate Rob Ellis, Mick Harvey, and Eric Drew Feldman and has also worked extensively with record producer Flood.
PJ Harvey has become the first person to win the Mercury Prize twice, with her album Let England Shake.
The record, which was inspired by the horrors of war, was the bookmakers' favourite.
Harvey won in 2001, when the ceremony was held on 11 September, but was unable to accept the prize in person because she was on tour in the US.....