I didn't know folk music growing up, no. It's something I've come

Yes — that quote is correctly attributed to P. J. Harvey (Polly Jean Harvey), the English singer-songwriter, musician, and poet.

“I didn't know folk music growing up, no. It's something I've come to study, really, because I think there's so much to learn from traditional music in the sense of the way music began as a way of communication, the traveling storyteller, the bard, the minstrels.”
— P. J. Harvey

Context and Background

P. J. Harvey made this comment in an interview discussing her musical influences and creative evolution, particularly during the period surrounding her albums Let England Shake (2011) and The Hope Six Demolition Project (2016).

During this phase of her career, Harvey delved deeply into folk traditions, war poetry, and oral storytelling, exploring how music historically functioned as a vehicle for collective memory and social commentary. She has said that studying traditional forms helped her reconnect music with its narrative and communal roots, rather than treating it purely as entertainment.

Interpretation

• “I didn't know folk music growing up” — she wasn’t raised within that tradition but discovered it later through artistic curiosity.

• “Music began as a way of communication” — emphasizes the ancient and human purpose of song: to tell stories, share experiences, and preserve history.

• “The traveling storyteller, the bard, the minstrels” — Harvey identifies with this lineage of artists who use words and melody to convey truth and emotion.

Summary

This quote encapsulates P. J. Harvey’s intellectual and exploratory approach to songwriting. For her, folk music is not merely a genre but a living tradition of storytelling — one that connects art, history, and humanity through the enduring power of voice and narrative.