About Me
Born in London 11.11/(Poppy Day) Angela Harvey the daughter of a Jamaican veteran has been writing poetry since childhood. A chance performance at the renowned Spellman College, and Paul Robeson theatre in Atlanta USA were the first appearances that Angela Harvey made back in 1989;. POPPY SEED with its concept of conscious well crafted lyrics put to original music, and performed with 10 live musicians started germinating in 1993. It soon materialised on the London poetry and alternative music scene and delighted audiences. The release of the self financed album A Taste (limited edition) circulated underground and Poppy Seed soon emerged as the uncrowned Queen of the poetry scene. With no financial backing sustaining a 10 piece band proved challenging, and PAs and small acoustic music sets were imposed. She has made steady waves on the poetry circuit for the past decade. 'On the cusp of Poetry and song'. 'The Warm Revolutionary' are phrases penned by Jamaican press after her ground breaking tour there in 1998-1999. Back to England for the Millennium she was awarded Black Woman of the Year for Arts. These accolades have continued as her personal appearances have spanned school rooms, Community and literary festivals, numerous music venues, high profile corporate arenas, countless social justice campaigns and Prisons in UK, and abroad including Germany, New York, Philadelphia, South Africa, Gambia gaining National and International notoriety. Seasoned and encouraged by associations with mentors Mutabaruka (Godfather of Dub Poetry), and Sade; numerous fine musicians, producers; David Ivory (The Roots, Gill Scot), Delroy Murray (Total Contrast), Robin Millar (Sade), Paul Hussey (Celloman, Thabani, ); In 2005 Poppy Seed received BWIA Best Performance Poet Award. Poppy Seed music featured on the soundtrack of the stunning currently acclaimed, Pan African Award winning film '500 Years Later' by Owen Alik Shahada, as well as their new film 'Our Story Our Voice' 2007 . Now a mother, this graduate in literature; activist, and teacher, who has been a college lecturer for over a decade has composed and penned an extensive repertoire . These influences have helped shape her self-determination as a performance artiste. The new album 'Coming Through' in 2007 is a selection from an extensive repertoire. Solidifying her presence, making an official Poppy Seed imprint, and a debut step into the wider public / music industry, with this unique spin on poetic Soul. 'Coming forth by Day into the Light' is the Mission line in the 'Poppy Seed Theme' tune which opens this thought provoking and inspiring album. POPPY SEED is A pioneer in the Spoken Soul genre; Creating niches for Live Literature.
BUY ALBUM - online www.poppyseedmusic.com. or itunes
SEE SHOW REEL - www.youtube.com (and search) poppy seed.
