PJ Harvey Criticized by D.C. Politicians Over "The Community of Hope"
Photo by Daniel Zuchnik / Getty Images
Last week, PJ Harvey released “The Community of Hope,” a new song from her upcoming album The Hope Six Demolition Project. The song was inspired by Ward 7, an underdeveloped neighborhood in Washington D.C. that Harvey does not view very favorably. (Sample lyric: “Now this is just drug town, just zombies / But that’s just life.”) DCist rounded up some D.C. politicians to give their view of “The Community of Hope,” and their opinions were generally critical. Former mayor Vince Gray, who’s running for the Ward 7 city council seat, said: “I will not dignify this inane composition with a response.” His campaign treasurer said: “PJ Harvey is to music what Piers Morgan is to cable news.” Grant Thompson, a former Congressional staffer also running for Ward 7′s council seat, said Harvey “needs to see more of the city.” (However, he did reserve some praise for how Harvey highlighted some of the neighborhood’s needs, such as more sit-down restaurants.) He added: “I really didn’t get the song. I didn’t.” Meanwhile, councilwoman Yvette Alexander tweeted, “I respect all artist forms of expression, but this song does not reflect Ward 7!”
The Hope Six Demolition Project was inspired by Harvey’s travels around the world, so one imagines there are plenty, plenty more local politicians ready to take issue with her artistic interpretation. It’s out April 15.
Revisit the song below:
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