On the Record with Polly Scattergood

By Aiden Landman
Published: May 19th, 2009 | 7:00am

Polly Scattergood is a graduate of England's prestigious BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology, an institution whose other notable alumni include Imogen Heap, Amy Winehouse, and Adele. While in attendance at the BRIT, Scattergood asserts to have, shockingly, written more than 800 songs. 10 of those tunes will make landfall in the U.S. in May, as Mute Records releases Ms. Scattergood's self-titled debut album.

Issued in the U.K. in March, Polly Scattergood has garnered favorable reviews from the Guardian and the BBC for its poetic lyricism and dark, heavy song structures. Gearing up for her impending American debut, Scattergood spoke to venuszine.com about some of her favorite records of all time.

Joni Mitchell

Blue (Reprise Records)

When I first moved to London, I used to listen to “River” all the time. I love Joni Mitchell's lyrics, they are pure poetry. I love the way she paints scenes with words:

"Richard got married to a figure skater / And he bought her a dishwasher / And a coffee percolator / And he drinks at home now most nights with the TV on / And all the houselights left up bright" (“The Last Time I Saw Richard”).

Mylo

Destroy Rock & Roll (Breastfed Recordings)

This album is just so catchy. It is full of incredible beats, synths, textures, and layers. It's a real summer album I put it on when I am running, and it always makes me go a little bit faster! I love the way the songs build; they really bring you up slowly. This album really takes me on a journey.

Bonnie Prince Billy

I See a Darkness (Palace Records)

This album is just the most stunning creation. It is so dark and so painfully raw — it voices those demons that most of us wouldn't dare to speak of. When listing to this album, it's almost uncomfortable, like reading someone's diary. But for that reason, I find his truth strangely comforting:

"Well you know I have a love / A love for everyone I know / And you know I have a drive / To live, I won't let go… And that I see a darkness" (“I See a Darkness").

Fiona Apple

Extraordinary Machine (Epic Records)

I love this album — the songs and subjects are so powerful, yet you can listen to this album from start to finish and not feel remotely drained. It's so lyrical; it took a few listens for me to really get all the little ironies in her lines. For me, it's an album that has grown with me, and each time I listen to it, I hear something new.

Leonard Cohen

Live Songs (Columbia Records)

This is a record — I don't even know if it is still available — but my parents gave it to me when I was about 12. I listened to it over and over again on a crackly old record player. As soon as I heard his voice, I wanted to hear every single one of his stories; his lyrics are so beautiful, yet full of such dark humor.

I saw him play at Glastonbury last year, and it was possibly one of the best gigs of my life. I remember hearing the lyric: "Like a bird on the wire / Like a drunk in a midnight choir / I have tried in my way to be free" (“Bird On the Wire”). I think hearing that line for the first time was when I first understood how powerful words and music can be.

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Polly Scattergood MySpace

Mute Records