Polly Scattergood
Scattergood performing in a concert at the Bar Academy, Islington
Scattergood performing in a concert at the Bar Academy, Islington
Background information
Born (1986-10-18) 18 October 1986 (age 37)
Wivenhoe, Essex, England
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active2005–present
Labels
  • Ark
  • Mute
  • Future Paradise
Websitepollyscattergood.com

Polly Scattergood (born 18 October 1986)[1][2][3] is an English singer and songwriter. She has been described as ethereal, dark, intense and quirky,[4][5][6] while her musical style has been described as "early 21st century electro-dance-pop of London proper".[7]

Early life

Scattergood was born in Wivenhoe, Essex and grew up near Colchester, the eldest of three siblings with two younger brothers.

Her mother was an artist and her father an actor. Scattergood's first memory of making music was playing a toy piano when she was aged four.[8] At the age of 16, she moved to London to attend the BRIT School, a performing arts academy.[4]

Career

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 the producer of her debut album Simon Fisher Turner.[4]

Scattergood's debut single entitled "Glory Hallelujah" was released in 2005 on Ark Records and produced by Greg Walsh. Her September 2007 single "Nitrogen Pink" was released on Mute Records.[4][5] 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.[9][10]

Her eponymous debut studio album, Polly Scattergood, was released 9 March 2009 in the UK.[11] and on 19 May in the US.

Scattergood performing in 2009

"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.[11] iTunes made it 'Single of the Week' on 30 March 2009. "Please Don't Touch" was her fourth single, released on 4 May 2009.

She then re-released "Nitrogen Pink" and released "Bunny Club" as singles. On 7 March 2009 Scattergood gave a live studio session on the BBC Radio 2 Dermot O'Leary show. She supported Amanda Palmer in September 2009 at Union Chapel, Islington.

In 2011 Scattergood recorded a cover of "New York New York" for EA Games "The Wall" trailer. It premiered in Time Square, "The Wall" trailer won the Mi6 Gold award for "Best Use of Sound" and the Mi6 Silver award for "Best Game Footage Trailer.[12] In 2012 she remixed the M83 song "Reunion".

Scattergood released her second studio album, Arrows, on 22 October 2013.[13] The album was produced by Ken Thomas who has previously worked with Sigur Rós and M83. "Wanderlust" was remixed by Charli XCX and "How to Dress Well" featured in America's Billboard magazine. The album was awarded four stars by Mojo, The Independent and Rolling Stone magazine. Scattergood supported Mute labelmates Goldfrapp at the summer series 2013 concerts at Somerset House, London on 20 July 2013.

After Arrows was released Scattergood decided to team up with her label mate James Chapman, aka the Mercury Nominated artist Maps, to write and record a joint project, entitled "onDeadWaves".[14] which eventually led in 2016 to the release of the 'onDeadWaves' album.[15][16]

After the 'onDeadWaves' album was released Scattergood was approached by Bruce Woolley to records a new version of the Buggles' track, "Video Killed the Radio Star" which was eventually to be titled "Dark Star". This new version was released by Grammaphone records in 2017.[17][18]

Scattergood released her third album entitled In This Moment on 3 July 2020.[19]

In November 2021, Scattergood created a podcast with long-time friend Katie Melua called "The Detail" about the art of songwriting and making records".[20]

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album Peak chart positions
UK
2009 Polly Scattergood
  • Released 9 March 2009
 -
2013 Arrows
  • Released 21 October 2013
 -
2020 In This Moment
  • Released 3 July 2020
 -

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"
2013 "Wanderlust" Arrows
"Cocoon"
2014 "Subsequently Lost"
2019 "Sphere" In This Moment
2020 "Red"

References

  1. ^ "Polly Scattergood". discogs. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  2. ^ "Polly Scattergood". Facebook.com. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
  3. ^ "Polly Scattergood". Twitter. Retrieved 24 September 2013.
  4. ^ a b c d Lester, Paul (15 September 2008). "And now for song number 801". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  5. ^ a b Clarke, Betty (1 September 2008). "Polly Scattergood". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  6. ^ McCormick, Neil (9 January 2009). "Not the sound of 2009: the next small things". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 5 August 2009. Retrieved 4 May 2012.
  7. ^ Billboard Album Review
  8. ^ Morley, Cat (30 July 2009). "Polly Scattergood | Issue 16 – The Vintage & Retro Issue". Cutoutandkeep.net. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  9. ^ "Listen Up: Polly Scattergood". Londonist. 23 September 2008. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  10. ^ Murphy, John (19 September 2008). "Polly Scattergood – I Hate The Way review". MusicOHM. Archived from the original on 19 September 2008.
  11. ^ a b "Polly Scattergood Live Dates – Glasswerk.co.uk, 21 January 2009". Archived from the original on 25 February 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2009.
  12. ^ "Gamasutra – The Art & Business of Making Games". gamasutra.com. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  13. ^ "Polly Scattergood Reviews". Meta Critic. Retrieved 5 March 2010.
  14. ^ "MUTE • Artists • On Dead Waves". MUTE. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  15. ^ "onDeadWaves – onDeadWaves". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  16. ^ Stock, Amanda (20 May 2016). "ALBUM REVIEW: ON DEAD WAVES – ON DEAD WAVES". Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  17. ^ "Video Killed The Radio Star with POLLY SCATTERGOOD and BRUCE WOOLEY | The Electricity Club". www.electricity-club.co.uk. 24 February 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  18. ^ "Polly Scattergood cover of 'Video Killed The Radio Star'… No, really | Electronic Sound". electronicsound.co.uk. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
  19. ^ "Album: Polly Scattergood - In This Moment review - a poetic mood piece". theartsdesk.com. 3 July 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  20. ^ "The Detail Trailer".

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