PJ Harvey’s latest album LET ENGLAND SHAKE certainly predicted these recent riots of London and it was also one of my favourite releases of this year. With it, she gave early voice to what she felt was rather foreseeable for her country’s unsatisfied citizens. In every interview I’ve read following the fires (which coincidentally sent our own records up in flames during the destruction of the PIAS warehouse where many many independent releases were lost in the shake-up), she has modestly denied her psychic powers, positing instead that she “just reads the newspaper.” In one article she simply quipped, “I make it my business not to be an idiot; that’s all.” I am, indeed, a huge fan of hers. I like her brain and I like her heart. I like that she shares my intentions to discuss injustices. And her voice is uniquely potent with her unique passion. So when I am told belatedly that PJ Harvey herself was rumoured to have been at our overcrowded gig at London’s Hoxton Bar & Grill, I literally shake in my boots, feeling shaken to the core. The gossip hasn’t been confirmed but I feel honored by the possibility of having been in her midst. I wish I’d been able to shake her hand and thank her for shaking things up.
In London I was lucky enough to be aware of being surrounded by our dearest friend and formidable tour manager Mr JC Dyborn and Kalle, visiting from Sweden, and Karina, our cheery and dedicated promoter, and friends from Poland and Romania who made the show teem at the seams. London always treats us grandly even when our expectations of England are low. It isn’t that we don’t like playing in the UK but, as every industry representative and music racket cog will tell you: “It’s a hard nut to crack, a difficult market to break” because there is no shortage of competition in this particular music biz. So we are always worried and fretful that no one will show up for our little band from dirty boring North America and we are so luckily surprised by the charming and bright-eyed turn out. There are certain nights that make you feel like you’ve “made it” and London certainly represents one of those hurtles. We triumphantly power through our hour long set to indefatigable applause and shed our jet lag in the process. There just isn’t enough room for it on stage. I feel violent and mighty by the end of it. London, I know you are enduring rough times and I have empathy for your battles. All revolutions have their costs and I hope you get what you deserve. And to the fierce deity of rock, the divine PJ Harvey, whether you were actually in attendance or not, you were utterly with us in spirit. Let England shake indeed.