PJ Harvey: 'I was just trying to survive'

PJ Harvey: 'I was just trying to survive'
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On the afternoon following her Mercury prize triumph, PJ Harvey talks to Guardian music editor Caspar Llewellyn Smith about her prize-winning album Let England Shake, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, her favourite films and Katy B

[@iLikeCookie88]

The contrast between her raspy singing voice and how soft-spoken she is when she speaks is amazing! I love how she speaks :)

[@idontcareaboutyou7757]

where the hell is her singing voice 'raspy'? are you tone def?

[@NOWtheband]

@Nenethegreat W - Dear oh dear..........

[@vivaanhoward6471]

I dont mean to be off topic but does anybody know a way to get back into an instagram account? I was stupid lost my password. I would appreciate any assistance you can give me.

[@coreyknox1751]

@Vivaan Howard Instablaster :)

[@user-dk6vf4mf9t]

And that someone this modest, shy and private can get on-stage and become someone larger than life bearing her soul

[@Vypichla0vci0ko]

I love interviews with Polly .. with every album she creates different persona, different story she lives in that moment and when she stop singing she is that incredibly modest, intelligent, shy and fragile and you just have to love her for maintaining these traits after 20+ years of being famous world wide. And most importantly she CARES. Worlds cannot describe how much I adore her and how much her work and her .. just her pure existence means to me.

[@simpleagain1]

I’ve seen her in concert twice and she absolutely kicks ass. She makes a really big sound for a 3 piece band. I was actually very surprised by her raw musical power. She’s one of those rare bands where the music is BETTER live than it is on the album. I definitely wasn’t expecting that. She is one intense individual!

[@jamesbadham9665]

Ten years later the phrase "it's all so upsetting" resonates with even more truth.

[@louispaultuffal1627]

True

[@reginaldside4575]

What struck me about this is the way the interview allows her to talk straightforwardly about what she's doing in a which seemed to go out of fashion for popular music during the 1980s and never really came back. It's a kind of throwback to a different time and all the better for it.

[@ohlwilliam4838]

Truly, a modern icon. Her humility and utter lack of pretense continues to astound me. I've been a fan for quite a while, and it's only now that I'm taking in her interviews. Absolutely, positively a gifted artist who continues to grow.

[@t.terentiusneo6925]

I love it when her little West Country accent slips out every once in a while :)

[@lorisanpietro5560]

She is great I met her at the metro and she is soft spoken and very grounded. No ego bullshit just down to earth!! Love her music but her ideology as well and her concern. It's real.

[@goobah01]

PJ just keeps growing on me. Didn’t know she was such a Kubrick fan. Geniuses of a feather I guess.

[@TroySan1985]

Why is she so cool and windswept? Nobody like her....unique and awesome lady

[@ElricX]

She's such an interesting musician. Original, talented, intelligent. I'd love to meet her

[@pstewart5443]

Love you PJ. I remember being in the military and jamming out to your music. Keep it up! So impressed by you for years.

[@1chienandalou]

She’s timeless

[@Earnshawfully]

She belongs to the moment that the world is in. So brave and so human.

[@paulquintin3607]

A newbie to this woman’s music, had no idea She was British. I am always amazed at how much differently British singers sound when recording. Love discovering these videos and learning more about PJ. She is terrific!

[@ronrendon]

She is such a blessing. God bless PJ now and always.

[@cynthiamadrid1430]

What a delightful precious artist. I love PJ Harvey. Extraordinary talent.

[@barbaracook7142]

Beautiful, humble, honest, interested in everything around her and great to hear how the album evolved

[@TheVThakur]

Gosh!! What an artist. What a woman! :)

[@1chienandalou]

What a person. Indeed! Thanks!!

[@konstantinosconstantine]

I've been a fan of her since I was a junior high school student and now I'm 32 yo and it's the very first time wacthing an interview and actually listening to her speaking voice! 💓

[@1chienandalou]

Me too! Love her longtime but my appreciation grows and grows

[@Josh9000series]

Good interview Caspar. What a magnificent lady. I've seen her live thrice and I'll do it again every time she comes to Perth, Aus.

[@1chienandalou]

Lucky you! Three times is great!!!

[@morriganravenchild6613]

An incredible talent - she just gets better and better!

[@briteness]

This was a good interview. I am going to go listen to the album again right now.

[@julesp0ds353]

i LOVE her i didn’t even realise she was british but now i love her even more

[@StarNonna]

Absolute gem in music. Wonderful songwriter. Love you PJ.

[@1chienandalou]

Absolutely. She’s timeless.

[@karmenrichardson7289]

❤️ she knows exactly her focus points for what’s she needs to express her self through her music. Brilliant! And she is a very good actress on stage.🤔😊❤️ love her person(s)❤️

[@tdk903]

The world needs more artists and people like P J Harvey.

[@Youman71463]

"all I wanted to do was to listen carefully to the words that came out of the mouths of the people that were involved in these conflict situations"

[@StephenAndrew777]

Well it is as uplifting, beautiful and rousing as it can be. I take that to mean she's succeeded.

[@drooskeedoo3388]

She is articulate as fuck

[@noahgoyette467]

thanks for this

[@BiZarre-Events]

You are a Beautiful person. Thank you. X

[@garrettscott]

I feel like PJ made one of the only albums that tries to process the Afghan and Iraq wars and to address what parts England and America played in so much misery. But of course from the perspective of one of us (I'm American) in a way. During the Vietnam war there was so much music about it, but during the 2000s seems like mostly what was being done in our names was not part of the music scene. She made a beautiful album and, as she said in the interview, she tried to stay somewhat ambiguous. In this way the music and perhaps the message can reach more people. Let England Shake. A gem among gems.

[@MrTwigged]

She's in touch

[@scottcrosby-art5490]

So sweet and talented

[@bluefish4580]

Great to hear, even now, years later PJ talking about her work with such humility. It is a shame the questions were such obvious and predictable ones.

[@deborahcurtis1385]

I don't think so. She seemed to appreciate them and there was a flow in the conversation which was natural. We might have an impression of PJ Harvey as a person but she's being remarkably adaptable and candid regardless of any merits or otherwise of the questions, and makes it clear she is reflecting the situation we are in. There's no need to be too complicated about that. He let her speak and do what she wanted with the questions, and that's the most important thing. JIMO

[@benwherlock9869]

She really likes 'Everything Everything'!! Nice one, good choice. :)

[@rodneygriffin7666]

Come back. We love you.

[@metaxuoblivion]

I love that P.J loves Everything Everything, they're one of my favorite bands

[@Lorca32]

And it IS beautiful Polly! It is truly new and exciting! Not depressing! I suffer from mild mood changes and this album of yours as honestly helped me see the good side of life from your words. Polly but just see outside the lines and don't think the old bring in the new. Look at new artists. I love everyone you quote but there is happiness and space in newness! It'll become clear to you! xxx

[@westsideclogs]

amazingly wonderful

[@rossclaughton6068]

Love....................

[@user-zi2qk4zi4w]

I was astonished to find out Let England Shake was actually censored on a jukebox at this particular bar in Connecticut..... WTF!? I was appalled!

[@missswan4864]

PJ Harvey is one of my favorite artists because she acts like herself when she is conducting an interview instead of putting a face on.

[@junkiego]

i feel so happy..

[@francescocavallo666]

she's so talented

[@1chienandalou]

Beyond

[@youjoker9647]

Can hear her Dorset accent!

[@dmbassa]

LOL! So true, Stevo! :D

[@DaveInBridport]

local girl

[@youjoker9647]

Bramley Apple-Species 'Bridport!

[@mafoomatty7494]

You Joker yep,defo

[@mafoomatty7494]

You Joker i should know,i live in dorset

[@peacemonger1967]

good questions!

[@sebastopprogre1979]

I love P.J

[@cientifiko]

i could listen to her indefinitely, looking those green eyes.

[@busywl69]

so talented

[@googo151]

I USE TO SEE HER AROUND ALL THE TIME AND HAD NO CLUE IT WAS PJH!!!

[@andydixon2980]

Great interview, both interviewer and subject are lucid and thought provoking.

[@kappiiee]

A lot of times I see interviewers interrupting, and sometimes that's necessary to stop someone rambling, but a lot of times it just kills the atmosphere of the interview and the interviewee can barely make a point.

[@1chienandalou]

She’s always lucid. But yeah it’s nice that the interview were actually is as well. Good comment.

[@vsalasarcr]

Que mujer tan maravillosa y diáfana.

[@flugsven]

I´ve never had heroes- but now she´s my first. Only to have the amount of talent she keeps in her smallest toe, I would consider myself lucky^^

[@cassandrastornoway5445]

I love this wonderful Woman

[@1chienandalou]

Me too 🖤🖤🖤

[@ericcook4665]

and this is luv this is luv !!!

[@Hellbrokeluce]

Only the dead have known the end of war - Plato.

[@susanafernandes8654]

Adoro esta mulher ! Espero que ela venha a Portugal 🇵🇹

[@frlango6082]

Mmh

[@lightofall]

I have goosebumps I was meant to see this video. I cannot believe it but I can lol

[@finvandewall2445]

she's so cool

[@jezza10181]

She's amazing ^_^

[@guillermogonzalez6346]

I love her.

[@mafoomatty7494]

Oh gawd she's amazin

[@redlady935]

ynwa

[@internet.cookies8531]

2001 & 2011 She's a winner🎉

[@lightofall]

Wwoooowww I don't feel so alone anymore

[@redbeki]

She's the best ..

[@pgrabar]

Polly named three of my personal favorites - Bob Dylan, Neal Young, and Patti Smith. :)

[@dirkwellens]

It's Neil Young, dude :)

[@1chienandalou]

She knows what it’s all about. (And she’s one of my three favorites herself, personally )

[@Stairwaytoheaven06]

I'm in love ...

[@lukaszgawlik19830416]

You are the greatest

[@alvin9713]

She's amazing

[@dia.6213]

A TRUE ORIGINAL.

[@LondonDada]

Very true, the real artist is sensitive to all the things happening in the world #doubleedgedsword

[@DavidDatura]

Oh and nobody deserved the Mercury music prize more than she did, good on her!!!

[@1chienandalou]

Yes!!!

[@rickyrhoades4083]

Cute lady and intelligent and wonderful singer. I love her accent. Her stage persona doesn't do her justice. Seems like a rebel on stage but she is so much more human and compassionate in "real life".

[@lekkki1]

exactly.

[@soaribb32]

Ricky Rhoades I'm sure the rebel persona is not a put on either, it's her cathartic expression artistically.

[@KiRiMa64]

Her demeanor draws you in. There's nothing more attractive than a lady who's intelligent,well spoken,articulate and real! Just having a conversation with her would be stimulating and engaging.

[@doomsdayzalinsky7910]

Hey. Her stage presentation's nothing to laugh at either. (;

[@m06een00]

Yes,she's won 2 Mercurys. Why question it? I did watch the interview. And had you properly listened to what was being said, the word "technical' which actually was introduced by the interviewer refers to PJ's songwriting direction in relation to using lyrics anf language and zilch to do with PJ's ability as a musician or guitarist It's quite clear what the interviewer (and PJ) meant

[@gedc1347]

Yes very much so xx

[@paulotonedef]

I see so much Patti Smith in Polly’s work.

[@paulotonedef]

@bulímica desde los 15 idiota. Perhaps get your head out of toilet and then, maybe, we can have an intelligent discussion.

[@te9591]

@Paul Simon McCarthy she's been referred to as patti smith in previous interviews and has called it lazy journalism from what ive read online.

[@1chienandalou]

Yes, but no. I mean I don’t think she would disagree but she is her own thing by now, as well. Seriously doesn’t need to be compared to anyone. Feel free to compare others to her if you want sort of thing.

[@NDILHM.X]

Polly Jean is literally one of my inspirations!

[@jmode242]

true genuis

[@standafan4141]

Stanley Kubrick's Path of glory, Barry Lyndon, Neil Young...she does tick all the boxes here.

[@deborahcurtis1385]

AND early Dylan. What Dylan did during that period was astonishing and his words and music groundbreaking and he was in the eye of a storm. There's so much anger and poignancy in both of them.

[@teavirus]

I kiss your soul PJ

[@svenlabots1869]

Isn't Polly just an intelligent sweetheart....😍💎🎤☯️👍

[@ianrmacdougall3875]

Ms Harvey reminds me of those emblems on a Rolls Royce that all the soccer hooligans ( mainstream musicians) try to Reef of, prising, bashing, bending and in the end they just give up, Afterall you will never change what PJ stands for.

[@dyakokalar2296]

I really like this interview. Art can never be apolitical or value neutral. It is nice to see Havey go beyond the technicality and talk about real events that are taking place in the world and ones which are shaping the world she lives in. harvey isn't gaga or Cyrus or Perry. I am tired of American fake materialist bullshit pop culture.

[@TheTestingGrounds]

Art can be apolitical. Do you think Monet's water Lillies are political? I do concur as an American that I'm so bored with the USA.

[@michaelgreen9402]

I love this too. But dont judge gaga, perry and cyrus. They are offering us entertainment. they arent trying to be political. When they try to be political.appreciate that if you will, but accept what they offer and dont ask for more and get upset when it isnt there. its like asking your carpenter to do your dentistry. im grateful for perry gaga and cyrus...ans especially grateful for pj :)

[@drchill8837]

And I'm tired of faux intellectual, statist eurobullshit. Think for yourself.

[@jbussa]

You think fake materialistic bullshit pop culture is purely an American thing? lol get over yourself.

[@DaveAnchovies]

Trump pulled US out of both wars. She must be a Trumper! She loves her North American artists...get off your euro imperialist high horse. She avoids being political and that's cool.

[@cazb877]

Amazing artist, I don’t think any female artist articulates women’s experiences quite like Polly Jean, so much respect for her and her work ❤️

[@01QLD]

Your Loss. Luv ur wrk PJ. (Poet) More than welcome anytime in Aust.

[@OliverMarson]

wow she really is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen her artistic and sensitive nature, i euguh wwhy can't i meet a girl like this

[@aflynn6987]

She's so lovely. Her stage presence is so different!

[@Sergekow]

My Sister, love her

[@zoozoopeddles114]

ad block plus works no ads here ever on any page its a google chrome app

[@Hardbody94]

Reminds me a little about Kate Bush when she's interviewed

[@caitlinroseblaney226]

I agree! They’re both such rock stars, but so soft-spoken in interviews 😊

[@annetessari1004]

Oh my Josh, totally agree. I was just going to type the same thing. Intelligent, thoughtful, humble, sensitive. Wonder if she's a Leo too

[@anthonyscully2998]

yes her accent is the same even though i don,t think she is from kent

[@TheChugg11]

Anthony Scully She’s a West Country girl from Dorset (although I always thought she was from Yeovil but apparently not).

[@lemonbatz]

Anne Tessari she’s a libra! and a Virgo moon

[@kappiiee]

Such an articulate artist. It's something to think about that human nature might be more agressive than the flowerpowerpeeps might believe.

[@jtaylor9562]

Polly is such a naturally beautiful woman. So talented, too.

[@sp4rtavus244]

Lovely Dorset lass.

[@BitterMelon9]

Polly is amazing and Caspar is quite handsome

[@Steve27775]

"...conscious of nothing, but the will to survive..."

[@1chienandalou]

Human Kindness 🖤

[@deepwell3220]

Which event is the beggining refering to?

[@frankorobinson1540]

If she was upset about things happening outside her small world then imagine now with the world completely out of control, chin up polly,live life enjoy stop worrying we can really change most of this horrible outcome we can only move on and give hope to people, peace ✌.

[@newguy6935]

She seems like a very cool person. Not egotistical at all. Would be great to know.

[@mombassaman]

Not sure if this guy is asking fair questions at all. Good for Polly making a few bux. It's about time artists got a slice o the cake. It doesn't mean that because Polly may have some coin she has no right to voice her opinion and feelings. That's what she does for a living. I too am pained deeply when I see all the death and distrustion on TV news. My dear mum went through all that crap in WW2 as a kid in Poland. As an artist I also have deep feelings and express them through my music and art. Good on ya Polly. D

[@brizzolglover7518]

To judge and never be judged..must be a privileged position for most jurnos

[@hardheavymusic]

Dal 27 giugno 2021 gira voce che si è fidanzata(però non è stato ancora confermato)