Polly Paulusma | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Polly Riley-Smith |
| Also known as | Hippolyta (Polly) Paulusma |
| Born | 10 November 1976 |
| Genres | Indie pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, musician |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards |
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | One Little Indian Records |
| Website | http://www.pollypaulusma.com http://www.myspace.com/pollypaulusma |
Polly Paulusma /ˈpɔːlzmə/ (born 10 November 1976) is an English singer-songwriter.[1][2]
Paulusma's first album, Scissors in my Pocket, was largely recorded and produced by herself at her home.[3] Her second album, Cosmic Rosy Spine Kites (an anagram of the first album's title) features the same tracks, four of which were recorded with a string quartet; the rest at a gig in Manchester, England, where she supported Jamie Cullum.[4] She has supported other artists on tour including; Marianne Faithfull and Coldplay. Paulusma played at the Glastonbury Festival in 2005.[5][6]
In 2004, Paulusma self-produced her first album using her computer.[7] Paulusma and her management used the internet, just as it was becoming widely accessible,[8] and other contemporary methods of distribution to reach a larger audience. Two of Paulusma's tracks, "Over the Hill" and the live version of "She Moves in Secret Ways", were issued as free downloads through Apple's iTunes Store.[9] Paulusma was one of the first musicians to use Myspace, her own website, blogs, and a link to a forum, to connect with them and keep them up-to-date on her touring and recording plans.[10]
Paulusma's third album Fingers and Thumbs was released in the June 2007 with its corresponding sister album Fights and Numbers as an iTunes-only digital download.[11] Paulusma founded a small record label called Wild Sound Recordings Ltd in 2012 and in 2012 released Leaves from the Family Tree with its corresponding sister-album The Small Feat of my Reverie in 2014.[11] Since 2012 Wild Sound has signed nine indie folk artists including Maz O'Connor, Stylusboy, Harry Harris, Matthew The Oxx, Dan Wilde and Mortal Tides.[12]
Paulusma teaches Cambridge English undergraduates in Practical Criticism as part of the English Tripos.[13][14] Paulusma is a postgraduate CHASE scholar at the University of East Anglia where she is researching the influence of traditional folksong on the writings of the British novelist Angela Carter.[15][16]
In 2004, The Guardian described Paulusma on Scissors in My Pocket as, "a voice capable of some unexpected twists".[7] Rolling Stone said Scissors in My Pocket was “an enchanting debut of understated, intelligent folk pop”.[17] Uncut suggested Paulusma could be "a worthy successor" to Joni Mitchell.[18] In 2012, Space City Rock reviewed Leaves From The Family Tree, stating, "this could be a huge album".[19] In 2021, For Folk's Sake reviewed Invisible Music: folk songs that influenced Angela Carter, calling it "a literary, clever, erudite, elegantly crafted offering from Polly Paulusma".[20] In 2022, Folking called Paulusma's The Pivot On Which The World Turns "a record that has an immense heartbeat with an eternal pulse".[21]
Paulusma is the daughter of medieval historian Jonathan Riley-Smith.[1][22]
Paulusma's first son was born on 10 November 2006 (coincidentally Polly's own birthday) and her second son was born on 1 August 2008.[23]
Paulusma and her husband, Mick Paulusma,[23] lived in the thinnest home in London for 12 years.[24] Located in Battersea, the 7-foot-7-inch-wide (2.31 m) home was where Paulusma recorded her first album Scissors in my Pocket and the demos for Fingers & Thumbs.[25] Since 2010, the couple has lived in Cambridge, England.[23]
