# PJ Harvey

> English singer-songwriter

**Wikidata**: [Q219772](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q219772)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PJ_Harvey)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pj-harvey

## Summary
Polly Jean Harvey, known professionally as PJ Harvey, is an English singer, songwriter, and composer. Since beginning her career in 1991, she has established herself as a versatile recording artist, vocalist, guitarist, and saxophonist. She is a highly decorated musician, notably receiving the prestigious Mercury Prize and being appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for her contributions to music.

## Biography
*   **Born:** October 9, 1969
*   **Nationality:** United Kingdom
*   **Education:** Central Saint Martins (public tertiary art school in London, England) and another educational institution
*   **Known for:** Singer-songwriting, music composition, and playing guitar and saxophone across alternative rock, rock, and heavy metal genres.
*   **Employer(s) / Affiliations:** Too Pure, Island Records (subsidiary of Universal Music Group)
*   **Field(s):** Music composing, recording arts

## Contributions
PJ Harvey's primary musical output spans several decades, beginning with her active work period in 1991. She has contributed to the music industry as a songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist, releasing music through prominent record labels such as Too Pure and Island Records. Her field of work encompasses the action and process of creating and writing music. Through her affiliation with Island Records—a British-Jamaican label known for bridging genres like reggae, folk rock, and heavy metal—she has contributed to a diverse musical landscape that operates on a global scale under the Universal Music Group umbrella.

## FAQs
**What genres of music does PJ Harvey perform?**
PJ Harvey's musical work spans multiple genres, primarily rock music, alternative rock, and heavy metal music. 

**Which record labels has PJ Harvey been affiliated with?**
She has released music through Too Pure, a UK-based record label founded in 1990, and Island Records, a British-Jamaican label founded in 1959 that operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group.

**What major awards and honors has PJ Harvey received?**
She is a recipient of the Mercury Prize, an annual music prize awarded in the United Kingdom for the best album from the UK and Ireland. Furthermore, she has been awarded the title of Member of the Order of the British Empire.

**What instruments does PJ Harvey play?**
In addition to her primary role as a singer and songwriter, she is recognized as a guitarist and saxophonist.

**Where did PJ Harvey receive her education?**
She was educated at Central Saint Martins, a notable public tertiary art school located in London, England. 

## Why They Matter
PJ Harvey matters as a deeply influential figure in the contemporary rock and alternative music landscape. By securing the Mercury Prize, she cemented her status as a critical darling whose artistic output is regarded as some of the best in the United Kingdom. Her ability to traverse and blend demanding genres—from alternative and rock to heavy metal—demonstrates a rare versatility that has expanded the boundaries of modern singer-songwriter conventions. Being appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire further signifies her broad cultural impact and legacy within the British creative arts. Her extensive network of associated acts and global digital footprint highlight an enduring relevance that connects her to an international audience and a new generation of diverse musicians.

## Notable For
*   Winning the Mercury Prize, a premier annual music award in the UK.
*   Being appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire.
*   Maintaining a prolific career as a recording artist that spans over three decades, starting in 1991.
*   Proficiency across multiple musical roles, including singer, songwriter, composer, guitarist, and saxophonist.
*   Collaborating with and being affiliated with historically significant record labels like Island Records and Too Pure.
*   Operating across distinct musical genres, notably rock, alternative rock, and heavy metal.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Polly Jean Harvey was born on October 9, 1969. She is a citizen of the United Kingdom. Her educational background includes studying at Central Saint Martins, a prominent public tertiary art school located in London, England, as well as another unspecified educational institution.

### Musical Career and Styles
Harvey began her active work period in 1991. She is recognized globally under her stage name, PJ Harvey. Occupationally, she operates as a multi-faceted artist within the field of music composing. Her professional roles include:
*   **Singer-songwriter:** Writing, composing, and singing her own songs.
*   **Musician & Recording Artist:** Performing for listening audiences and creating recorded music.
*   **Instrumentalist:** Proficient as both a guitarist and a saxophonist.

Her musical style and output are categorized within several distinct but related genres. She is associated with rock music (a popular music genre originated in the late 1940s), alternative rock (a subgenre emerging in the late 1970s), and heavy metal music.

### Record Labels and Industry Affiliations
Throughout her career, Harvey has been affiliated with key record labels that have helped distribute her music. She has worked with:
*   **Too Pure:** A record label founded in 1990 in the United Kingdom.
*   **Island Records:** A British-Jamaican record label founded in 1959. Island Records is headquartered in London and operates as a subsidiary of the Universal Music Group. The label is known for marketing music across a wide array of genres, including folk rock and heavy metal.

### Associated Acts
Within the broader context of her industry presence, Harvey's profile is frequently linked with an international roster of contemporary musicians and acts. Associated and related figures in the knowledge base include:
*   **Agnes Obel:** A Danish singer, composer, and pianist.
*   **Karen O:** An American singer and musician.
*   **Okay Kaya:** A Norwegian-American musician and actress.
*   **Bala:** A Galician stoner rock and grunge band.

### Digital Footprint and Identifiers
PJ Harvey maintains a massive digital presence, tracked by an extensive network of global media identifiers and social media platforms. 
*   **Official Website:** http://www.pjharvey.net/
*   **Social Media:** Twitter (@PJHarveyUK), Instagram (@pjharveyofficial), and Facebook (pjharvey).
*   **Streaming and Video:** Her YouTube channel ID is UC6v3zljSKKxioPywlGXs3-Q, and her Spotify artist ID is 12VaqyEhgwDRuFfEqbnrpz.
*   **Music Databases:** She is registered in MusicBrainz (ID: e795e03d-b5d5-4a5f-834d-162cfb308a2c) and has an AllMusic ID (mn0000000335). 
*   **Film & TV:** Her IMDb identifier is nm0367667.
*   **Library and Archival IDs:** Her global cataloging presence is extensive, including VIAF (87126508), ISNI (0000000120300535), Library of Congress (no96057794), and the French National Library (139653937).

## References

1. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
2. BnF authorities
3. Integrated Authority File
4. datos.bne.es
5. Montreux Jazz Festival Database
6. International Standard Name Identifier
7. MusicBrainz
8. Internet Broadway Database
9. Discogs
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. Virtual International Authority File
12. CONOR.SI
13. BBC Things
14. Google Knowledge Graph
15. The Guardian
16. Quora
17. The Movie Database
18. LIBRIS. 2015
19. YouTube API
20. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data