Polly Scattergood
Encyclopedia
Polly Scattergood is a British
singer-songwriter from Colchester
, Essex
, England
, UK
. She has been described as ethereal, dark, intense and quirky, while her musical style has been described as "early 21st century electro-dance-pop of London proper". Scattergood's debut album, self-titled, was released in spring 2009 in the United Kingdom and United States. It received mixed, but generally positive, reviews.
, the eldest of three sibling
s with two younger brothers.
Her first memory of making music was playing a toy piano when she was 4. Aged 12, having listened to Suzanne Vega
's song "Luka
", Scattergood concluded, "Music doesn't have to be strident to carry a strong message" and "That you don't have to shout. You can say things and people will listen if they want to." She has stated she would often listen to Leonard Cohen
as a teenager.
Aged 16 she moved to London. She took part time work on a market stall to pay her way through music school.
Scattergood attended the Brit School
where she wrote 800 songs. After graduation she caught the attention of music industry executive Neil Ferris who took on her management. Ferris then introduced Scattergood to Daniel Miller head of Mute Records
. He led her to her current producer Simon Fisher Turner
.
Scattergood describes herself as a storyteller. "I write about emotions and moments, not all are biographical." Scattergood's debut single entitled "Glory Hallelujah" was released in 2005. Her September 2007 single "Nitrogen Pink" is about the fragility of life and how quickly things come and go. It was written about "a friend of a friend who was really sick from cancer, this young guy who was only 30 and had a great, happy life but was slowly deteriorating". The single "I Hate the Way" which was written on a toy keyboard was released on 22 September 2008 on both limited edition 10 inch vinyl and iTunes
. The song has been described as documenting her emotional instability and penchant of going to bed with unsuitable men.
On November 10, 2008 Scattergood was a guest on the Rob Da Bank
show where three of her songs were played ("I Hate The Way", "Untitled 27" & "Nitrogen Pink"). Da Bank called her "The Kate Bush
of the 21st century". Later that month, on the 28th, she played an acoustic set on the Janice Long
show ("I Hate The Way", "Please Don't Touch" & "I've Got A Heart"). When asked about her discovery of music, she replied, "I found a guitar when I was about 12, in the coat cupboard, it had maybe 3 strings on it ... I just taught myself".
On March 7, 2009 Scattergood gave a live studio session on the BBC Radio 2 Dermot O'Leary
show. Her cover version of "Puff, the Magic Dragon
" proved to be popular with listeners, introducing many for the first time to the artist.
was released 9 March 2009 in the United Kingdom. and on 19 May in the United States.
"Other Too Endless" was released as a single from the album on 23 February 2009. It was named "record of the week" on the Steve Lamacq
show. The download version features a remix by Vince Clarke
who is a member of Erasure
, ex Assembly (where he shared the spoils with ex Undertones frontman Feargal Sharkey), ex Yazoo
and ex Depeche Mode
. iTunes made it 'Single of the Week' on 30 March 2009. "Please Don't Touch" was her second single, released on 4 May 2009. She then re-released "Nitrogen Pink" and released "Bunny Club" as singles.
account that she is currently recording her second studio album. A demo for the rumored lead single titled "New York, New York" has been leaked to the internet.
. She accompanied Bat for Lashes
at The iTunes Live Festival on 19 July 2009. An EP
of the iTunes performance is scheduled for release the week of 2 August on iTunes.
She supported Amanda Palmer
in September 2009 at Union Chapel, Islington
.
to advocate for a campaign to protest a proposal by a London Council member to remove a work by graffiti artist Banksy
entitled "one nation under cctv" from Ginglik at Shepherds Bush Empire
.
Scattergood and her friends post small art films to her MySpace page and YouTube.
Scattergood also recorded a new rendition of the song New York, New York
for the first teaser trailer of the 2010 video game Crysis 2
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
singer-songwriter from Colchester
Colchester
Colchester is an historic town and the largest settlement within the borough of Colchester in Essex, England.At the time of the census in 2001, it had a population of 104,390. However, the population is rapidly increasing, and has been named as one of Britain's fastest growing towns. As the...
, Essex
Essex
Essex is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England, and one of the home counties. It is located to the northeast of Greater London. It borders with Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to the north, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent to the South and London to the south west...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. She has been described as ethereal, dark, intense and quirky, while her musical style has been described as "early 21st century electro-dance-pop of London proper". Scattergood's debut album, self-titled, was released in spring 2009 in the United Kingdom and United States. It received mixed, but generally positive, reviews.
Early years
Scattergood grew up near ColchesterColchester
Colchester is an historic town and the largest settlement within the borough of Colchester in Essex, England.At the time of the census in 2001, it had a population of 104,390. However, the population is rapidly increasing, and has been named as one of Britain's fastest growing towns. As the...
, the eldest of three sibling
Sibling
Siblings are people who share at least one parent. A male sibling is called a brother; and a female sibling is called a sister. In most societies throughout the world, siblings usually grow up together and spend a good deal of their childhood socializing with one another...
s with two younger brothers.
Her first memory of making music was playing a toy piano when she was 4. Aged 12, having listened to Suzanne Vega
Suzanne Vega
Suzanne Nadine Vega is an American songwriter and singer known for her eclectic folk-inspired music.Two of Vega's songs reached the top 10 of various international chart listings: "Luka" and "Tom's Diner"...
's song "Luka
Luka (song)
"Luka" is a song recorded by Suzanne Vega and released as a single in 1987. It remains her highest-charting hit in the United States, reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. This song was one of the earliest to deal with child abuse and domestic violence...
", Scattergood concluded, "Music doesn't have to be strident to carry a strong message" and "That you don't have to shout. You can say things and people will listen if they want to." She has stated she would often listen to Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen
Leonard Norman Cohen, is a Canadian singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist. Cohen published his first book of poetry in Montreal in 1956 and his first novel in 1963. His work often explores religion, isolation, sexuality and interpersonal relationships...
as a teenager.
Aged 16 she moved to London. She took part time work on a market stall to pay her way through music school.
Musical career
Despite misunderstanding in the press, her name Scattergood is her family name. It means "here today, gone tomorrow" or "spendthrift waster".Scattergood attended the Brit School
BRIT School
The London School for Performing Arts & Technology is a British school located in Selhurst, Croydon, in London, England, with a mandate to provide education and vocational training for the performing arts, media, art and design and the technologies that make performance possible...
where she wrote 800 songs. After graduation she caught the attention of music industry executive Neil Ferris who took on her management. Ferris then introduced Scattergood to Daniel Miller head of Mute Records
Mute Records
Mute is an independent record label based in the UK. It was founded in 1978 by Daniel Miller and featured several prominent musical acts on its roster such as Goldfrapp, Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Erasure and Fad Gadget.-Beginnings:...
. He led her to her current producer Simon Fisher Turner
Simon Fisher Turner
Simon Turner is an English musician, songwriter, composer, producer and actor.After portraying Ned East in the 1971 BBC TV adaptation of Tom Brown's Schooldays and roles in films such as The Big Sleep , Dover-born Simon Turner quickly rose to fame as a teen star in Britain thanks to his mentor...
.
Scattergood describes herself as a storyteller. "I write about emotions and moments, not all are biographical." Scattergood's debut single entitled "Glory Hallelujah" was released in 2005. Her September 2007 single "Nitrogen Pink" is about the fragility of life and how quickly things come and go. It was written about "a friend of a friend who was really sick from cancer, this young guy who was only 30 and had a great, happy life but was slowly deteriorating". The single "I Hate the Way" which was written on a toy keyboard was released on 22 September 2008 on both limited edition 10 inch vinyl and iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
. The song has been described as documenting her emotional instability and penchant of going to bed with unsuitable men.
On November 10, 2008 Scattergood was a guest on the Rob Da Bank
Rob da Bank
Robert John Gorham, known by the pseudonym Rob da Bank, is a British disc jockey. He presents a Friday-night/Saturday-morning show, Rob da Bank, on BBC Radio 1 from 5am-7am, focused on promoting new left field music...
show where three of her songs were played ("I Hate The Way", "Untitled 27" & "Nitrogen Pink"). Da Bank called her "The Kate Bush
Kate Bush
Kate Bush is an English singer-songwriter, musician and record producer. Her eclectic musical style and idiosyncratic vocal style have made her one of the United Kingdom's most successful solo female performers of the past 30 years.In 1978, at the age of 19, Bush topped the UK Singles Chart...
of the 21st century". Later that month, on the 28th, she played an acoustic set on the Janice Long
Janice Long
Janice Long is an English radio broadcaster currently working on BBC Radio 2. Her show is on Sunday to Thursday nights from midnight to 02:00. She is the older sister of TV and radio personality Keith Chegwin.-Early career:...
show ("I Hate The Way", "Please Don't Touch" & "I've Got A Heart"). When asked about her discovery of music, she replied, "I found a guitar when I was about 12, in the coat cupboard, it had maybe 3 strings on it ... I just taught myself".
On March 7, 2009 Scattergood gave a live studio session on the BBC Radio 2 Dermot O'Leary
Dermot O'Leary
Dermot O'Leary is an English television and radio presenter. He established himself as a presenter of Big Brother's Little Brother on Channel 4 before moving on to The X Factor on ITV. O'Leary has also presented on the BBC and has his own radio show on BBC Radio 2...
show. Her cover version of "Puff, the Magic Dragon
Puff, the Magic Dragon
"Puff, the Magic Dragon" is a song written by Leonard Lipton and Peter Yarrow, and made popular by Yarrow's group Peter, Paul and Mary in a 1963 recording. The song achieved great popularity and has entered American and British pop culture.-Lyrics:...
" proved to be popular with listeners, introducing many for the first time to the artist.
Debut album
Polly ScattergoodPolly Scattergood (album)
Polly Scattergood is the self-titled debut album by English singer-songwriter Polly Scattergood, released in the United Kingdom on 9 March 2009 by Mute Records.-Track listing:All songs written by Polly Scattergood.#"I Hate the Way" – 7:07...
was released 9 March 2009 in the United Kingdom. and on 19 May in the United States.
"Other Too Endless" was released as a single from the album on 23 February 2009. It was named "record of the week" on the Steve Lamacq
Steve Lamacq
Steve Lamacq , sometimes known by his nicknames Lammo or "The Cat" is an English disc jockey, currently working with the BBC radio stations BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2.-Early career:He was born in Basingstoke, Hampshire...
show. The download version features a remix by Vince Clarke
Vince Clarke
Vince Clarke is an English synthpop musician and songwriter. Clarke has been involved with a number of successful groups, including Depeche Mode, Yazoo, The Assembly and Erasure....
who is a member of Erasure
Erasure
Erasure are an English synthpop duo, consisting of songwriter and keyboardist Vince Clarke and singer Andy Bell. Erasure entered the music scene in 1985 with their debut single "Who Needs Love Like That"...
, ex Assembly (where he shared the spoils with ex Undertones frontman Feargal Sharkey), ex Yazoo
Yazoo (band)
Yazoo are a British synthpop duo from Basildon, Essex. They had a number of Top 10 hits in the UK charts in the early 1980s...
and ex Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode
Depeche Mode are an English electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. The group's original line-up consisted of Dave Gahan , Martin Gore , Andy Fletcher and Vince Clarke...
. iTunes made it 'Single of the Week' on 30 March 2009. "Please Don't Touch" was her second single, released on 4 May 2009. She then re-released "Nitrogen Pink" and released "Bunny Club" as singles.
Second studio album
Scattergood has confirmed via her TwitterTwitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
account that she is currently recording her second studio album. A demo for the rumored lead single titled "New York, New York" has been leaked to the internet.
Touring
February 2009 saw Scattergood playing several clubs and hosting her own club night. According to her MySpace page Scattergood is on a United Kingdom club tour which will conclude on 19 April. She is scheduled to play a Dublin, Ireland club date on 21 April followed by festival appearances at Live at Leeds, The Great Escape, and BestivalBestival
Bestival is a four-day music festival held at the Robin Hill country park on the Isle of Wight, England. It has been held annually in late summer since 2004. The event is organized by DJ and record producer Rob da Bank and is an off-shoot of his Sunday Best record label and club nights. The initial...
. She accompanied Bat for Lashes
Bat for Lashes
Natasha Khan , also known by her stage name Bat for Lashes, is an English musician. She sings and plays the piano, bass, guitar, harpsichord and the autoharp....
at The iTunes Live Festival on 19 July 2009. An EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
of the iTunes performance is scheduled for release the week of 2 August on iTunes.
She supported Amanda Palmer
Amanda Palmer
Amanda MacKinnon Gaiman Palmer , sometimes known as Amanda Fucking Palmer, is an American performer who first rose to prominence as the lead singer, pianist, and lyricist/composer of the duo The Dresden Dolls...
in September 2009 at Union Chapel, Islington
Union Chapel, Islington
The Union Chapel is a Grade II* listed church and music venue in Islington, North London, England, located on Compton Terrace.An example of Victorian gothic architecture, it was designed by James Cubitt, and constructed between 1874 and 1877, with further additions 1877-90, providing an ambitious...
.
Other pursuits
Scattergood is using her MySpaceMySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
to advocate for a campaign to protest a proposal by a London Council member to remove a work by graffiti artist Banksy
Banksy
Banksy is a pseudonymous England-based graffiti artist, political activist, film director, and painter.His satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine irreverent dark humour with graffiti done in a distinctive stencilling technique...
entitled "one nation under cctv" from Ginglik at Shepherds Bush Empire
Shepherds Bush Empire
The O2 Shepherds Bush Empire is a music venue in Shepherd's Bush, London, England, run by the Academy Music Group. It was built in 1903, as a music hall, and in 1953 became the BBC Television Theatre...
.
Scattergood and her friends post small art films to her MySpace page and YouTube.
Scattergood also recorded a new rendition of the song New York, New York
Theme from New York, New York
"Theme from New York, New York" is the theme song from the Martin Scorsese film New York, New York , composed by John Kander, with lyrics by Fred Ebb. It was written for and performed in the film by Liza Minnelli...
for the first teaser trailer of the 2010 video game Crysis 2
Crysis 2
Crysis 2 is a first-person shooter video game developed by Crytek, published by Electronic Arts and released in North America, Australia, and Europe in March 2011 for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360...
.
Studio albums
| Year | Album | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| UK UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
||
| 2009 | Polly Scattergood Polly Scattergood (album) Polly Scattergood is the self-titled debut album by English singer-songwriter Polly Scattergood, released in the United Kingdom on 9 March 2009 by Mute Records.-Track listing:All songs written by Polly Scattergood.#"I Hate the Way" – 7:07...
|
157 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | "Glory Hallelujah" | Glory Hallelujah - EP |
| 2007 | "Nitrogen Pink" | Polly Scattergood |
| 2008 | "I Hate The Way" | |
| 2009 | "Other Too Endless" | |
| "Please Don't Touch" | ||
| "Nitrogen Pink" | ||
| "Bunny Club" | ||