PJ Harvey (Q&A, Video, and Exclusive Audio)
Written by: Unknown
Source: Spin.com

Cloaked in eyeliner and with lips like bloodstains, Polly Jean Harvey is rock's greatest avenger, and its most deadly siren. Over the course of five albums, she's hammered out anthems wavering from caustic to crestfallen, but always seething with knifelike sincerity. She's worked with Nick Cave, Thom Yorke, and this spring she's opening up for U2 on its North American tour. And now, on her latest critically acclaimed album, Stories From the City, Stories From the Sea, Harvey has taken the transformation one step further. She's still a devilish chanteuse, but she's cut her trademark rawness with a newfound serenity and optimism.

Want more proof? Then you've come to the right place. We've got an exclusive Q&A session with Ms. Harvey plus the never-before-heard audio of her performing a different version of "Good Fortune" live in the studio and a stream of the song's video. So sit back, relax, and enjoy. Don't worry, she doesn't bite. Much.

Spin.com: A lot of people would say that with Stories, you've completed the transition, lyrically, from bitter to bittersweet. Would you agree with that, and how wouldyou characterize your emotional growth from, say, Rid of Me to an album like Stories.
PJ Harvey: I've never really considered my previous work to be 'bitter,' nor my new album to be 'bittersweet.' I think in the past I was very interested in minimalism - of stripping something down to its bare essentials, but as I have grown as a writer, both musically and lyrically, I have been concerned with melody and layers of feeling. A broader vision. Not so linear. Of course, I have grown and changed as a person, as we all do over time, and that will, in turn, give my writing a different perspective.

You recently acted as producer for the very first time with Tiffany Anders's debut album. What was that like for you? We interviewed Tiffany recently and she was extremely appreciative and taken aback at how wonderfully prepared and careful you were throughout the process.
I had been interested in producing for many years and had often been sent music, but had never felt a connection enough that I'd want to give myself to it. However, I saw Tiffany play a few times in New York and found her songs and her voice so unique that I was delighted when she asked me to produce her first album. I spent a lot of time listening to her demo to find what the songs needed, or more importantly, did not need. Helping somebody else bring the 'vision' into being was a very rewarding experience. It was probably some of the hardest work I've done because I was not only producing but playing on and mixing the album and we had such a tight budget that we had to do it all in weeks. But it is definitely something I enjoyed and learned from, and would like to do more of.

What did you think of Juliette Lewis's version of "Rid of Me" in the film Strange Days?
I loved the Juliette Lewis version of 'Rid of Me.' I thought she sang really well, looked great, and I'm a fan of hers anyway. She can have another song anytime.

Any plans for future acting roles - either with Hal Hartley or without?
I would love to explore acting more, although I am very aware of not wanting to assume I can be an actress, just because I can perform in another area. It's something that I would like to give my time to, and try and get better at. I loved the experience of working with Hal, who is one of my favorite directors anyway. I'm always open to new offers, although nothing has felt right that has come my way so far.

What are your plans for the rest of 2001?
The rest of 2001 sees me getting on with a European tour, after returning from Australia in February/March. Then I join U2 across the States from April until June. Then some European Festivals, U.K. dates and another tour of the States in September.