NME News

PJ Harvey explains the story behind 'White Chalk'

PJ Harvey

PJ Harvey

Dorset landscape not an inspiration

PJ Harvey has spoken about her new album 'White Chalk', and explained the reason behind the title.

In an interview with The Sun, the singer disregarded any suggestion that the title is in homage to her native homeland of Dorset, where white chalk is famously synonymous with the landscape.

"The white chalk of the West Country hills was not consciously my inspiration at all for this record," she insisted.

"I just like the sound of the words white chalk. It can be millions of years old but erased in a second, and somehow has a timeless quality,” she added, before concluding: “The timelessness became more the source of inspiration."

'White Chalk' is released on September 24.

Add your comment

NME Alerts

Get NME news delivered direct to your desktop. Find out more

Please sign in

Forgot your password?

Register with MyNME

Every Tuesday

  • Breaking News stories
  • All you need to know about the week's NME magazine
  • Live, Album and Track reviews
  • Tip offs about the most important Gigs
  • All the latest NME.COM video exclusives

Every Friday

  • NME.COM's free mini-magazine
  • Gig listings for the weekend
  • All the most important Album and Track reviews
  • The week's biggest News stories
  • Competitions - with exclusive music prizes
  • plus loads more!

In The Magazine

This Week's Issue
  • The ultimate guide to the week in music
  • Agenda-setting news and fiery comment
  • Must-read interviews with the planet's hottest bands
  • Hundreds of UK gigs listed every week
  • Unrivalled access to the artists that matter
  • Subscribe today and get 1/3rd off NME