Ed Harcourt

Harcourt was born Edward Henry Richard Harcourt-Smith on 14 August 1977, in Wimbledon, London, England.^[1] The youngest of three, Harcourt is the son of Maj. Charles Harcourt-Smith of the Life Guards and also a former diplomat,{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cYAKPntbPi4C|title=Writing at the Kitchen Table: The Authorized Biography of Elizabeth David|last=Cooper|first=Artemis|date=16 June 2011|publisher=Faber & Faber|isbn=9780571279777|pages=75|language=en}} and his wife Sabrina, an art historian. Ed began to study piano at the age of nine and achieved grade 8 when he was 17. He declined the offer to study music, citing "the idea of having to analyze, dissect and everything [of one piece of music] would completely destroy any enjoyment".

Before going solo, Harcourt played the bass and keyboards for Snug, a band formed at school in the mid-1990s by Harcourt, James Deane, Ed Groves and Johnny Lewsley.{{cite web|url=https://www.myspace.com/snugtheband |title=Snug on MySpace |publisher=Myspace.com |access-date=27 December 2013}} The band recorded two albums and a handful of singles together before dissolving.

In 2000, Harcourt recorded his debut mini-album Maplewood EP straight to a 4-track recorder at Wootton Manor.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2002/jan/11/artsfeatures4|title=Ed Harcourt – The Guardian interview|last=Hodgkinson|first=Will|date=12 June 2002|work=The Guardian|location=London|access-date=27 December 2013}} After signing with Heavenly Records and releasing Maplewood in November 2000, Harcourt recorded his debut studio album Here Be Monsters with producers Gil Norton and Tim Holmes. The album was released in June 2001, and charted on the UK Albums Chart at No. 84.{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artists/ |title=Ed Harcourt |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=8 June 2010}} One month after its release, the album was nominated for the 2001 Mercury Prize. He later described the period as "very strange for me, I was naive, I knew nothing. I was used to making music in my room, so it felt very odd being on stage". In the US he signed with Capitol Records.{{Cite web|url=https://www.freewilliamsburg.com/july_2002/harcourt.html|title=Ed Harcourt|last=Laurence|first=Alexander|date=July 2002|website=Freewilliamsburg.com|access-date=7 September 2016}}

Following the non-album single release of the Brian Wilson cover "Still I Dream of It" in October 2002, Harcourt recorded and released his second album From Every Sphere in February 2003. The album became his highest-charting release in the UK, peaking at No. 39.{{Cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/9929/ed-harcourt/|title=Ed Harcourt {{!}} full Official Chart History {{!}} Official Charts Company|website=Officialcharts.com|access-date=19 August 2016}} The album also performed moderately well across Europe, peaking at No. 6 in Sweden,{{cite web |url=http://swedishcharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Ed+Harcourt |title=Discography Ed Harcourt |publisher=swedishcharts.com |access-date=8 June 2010}} No. 25 in Norway,{{cite web |url=http://norwegiancharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Ed+Harcourt |title=Discography Ed Harcourt |publisher=norwegiancharts.com |access-date=8 June 2010}} and No. 103 in France.{{cite web |url=http://lescharts.com/showinterpret.asp?interpret=Ed+Harcourt |title=Discographie Ed Harcourt |publisher=lescharts.com |access-date=8 June 2010 |language=fr}} From Every Sphere also yielded his highest-charting single to date, "All of Your Days Will Be Blessed", at No. 35. A second single, "Watching the Sun Come Up", was less successful, peaking at No. 79. After a steady schedule of tour dates in the UK, Harcourt's third album, Strangers, was released in September 2004. The album peaked at No. 57 in the UK and at No. 7 in Sweden, and produced the singles "This One's for You", "Born in the '70s", and "Loneliness."

Through 2005 Harcourt played some live dates with a side-project he called Wild Boar.{{cite web |url=http://www.gigwise.com/news/4136/ed-harcourt-introduces-new-band |title=Ed Harcourt Introduces New Band |publisher=gigwise.com |access-date=27 November 2010}} In August 2005, the B-sides and rarities compilation Elephant's Graveyard was released as a digital download. In the same year he performed at the annual Meltdown Festival in London, supporting the Brian Jonestown Massacre and joining the curator Patti Smith for a rendition of "Pissing in a River".{{Cite web|url=http://www.pennyblackmusic.co.uk/MagSitePages/Article/3631/Patti-Smith-and-Steve-Earle|title=Patti Smith and Steve Earle - Royal Festival Hall, London, 19/6/2005|access-date=7 September 2016}} He was also part of the ensemble that performed the William Blake inspired Songs of Innocence.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/jun/22/popandrock2|title=Songs of Innocence|last=Heawood|first=Sophie|date=22 June 2005|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=7 September 2016}}

Harcourt's fourth album The Beautiful Lie was released in June 2006 to generally favourable reviews,{{Citation|title=The Beautiful Lie by Ed Harcourt|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/the-beautiful-lie/ed-harcourt|access-date=7 September 2016}} with Allmusic describing the album as "an invigorating and frequently gorgeous affair, essential for old fans and a good place to start for newcomers."{{Cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/r840700|title=The Beautiful Lie - Ed Harcourt {{!}} Songs, Reviews, Credits {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=19 August 2016}} The album was not as successful on the UK charts, peaking at No. 97. The Beautiful Lie was co-produced with Jari Haapalainen, and features contributions from The Magic Numbers, who sing backing vocals on "Revolution in the Heart"; Graham Coxon, who plays guitar on first single "Visit from the Dead Dog"; and Ed's wife Gita, who plays violin throughout and sings duet vocals on the track "Braille". He later described the release as "the bête noire of the albums".

Harcourt recorded several tracks with the French jazz trumpeter Erik Truffaz for the album Arkhangelsk, released in early 2007. He also performed live with Truffaz's group to promote the album. In October 2007, Harcourt released the compilation album Until Tomorrow Then: The Best of Ed Harcourt, collecting material from the first seven years of his recording career. With the release he completed his obligations with Heavenly/EMI and the contract was not renewed.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/ed-harcourt-i-always-make-music-i-write-all-the-time-i-cant-do-anything-else-2009520.html|title=Ed Harcourt - 'I always make music, I write all the time. I can't do anything else'|last=Bray|first=Elisa|date=24 June 2010|website=independent.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=7 September 2016}} As a consequence he stepped away from his solo career as he was "really bored and sick of myself and my music. I had tried for seven years to make it and break into the mainstream and it didn't happen".

In 2009, Harcourt signed with Dovecote Records in the United States to release The Beautiful Lie stateside, as well as his new EP Russian Roulette which appeared in May of that year.{{cite web|url=http://www.districtlines.com/12871-Russian-Roulette-EP-Music/Dovecote-Records |title=Russian Roulette EP Music – Dovecote Records Music – Online Store |publisher=Districtlines.com |access-date=27 December 2013}} Also in 2009, Harcourt composed the original music for the soundtrack to the Donnie Darko sequel S. Darko.{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1231277/fullcredits|title=S. Darko (2009) |website=IMDb.com|access-date=18 September 2020}} In early 2010, he wrote a song called "Isabel" for the SOS Children's Villages Emergency Relief Fund in Haiti.[http://www.supernanas.org/haiti/ Supernanas.org – Haiti Relief] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100314034818/http://www.supernanas.org/haiti/ |date=14 March 2010 }}

Harcourt's fifth studio album Lustre was released on 14 June 2010, the first on his record label Piano Wolf Recordings. The album was produced by Ryan Hadlock at Bear Creek Studios.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=60667424&blogId=500536550|title=Last night in Bear Creek Studios – Ed Harcourt's MySpace blog (dated 16 July 2009)|publisher=Blogs.myspace.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106061113/http://www.myspace.com/edharcourt/blog/500536550|archive-date=6 November 2012|access-date=27 December 2013}}

In February 2013, Harcourt released the album Back into The Woods through CCCLX, the new label set-up by his manager Sean Adams.{{cite web|url=http://seaninsound.tumblr.com/post/131432249461/popular-by-the-anchoress-alongside-running|title=Management company|last=Adams|first=Sean|publisher=CCCLX Music|access-date=27 December 2013}} It was recorded during a one-day session helmed by Pete Hutchings at the Abbey Road Studios and featured his wife Gita on violin and Arnulf Lindner (cello).{{Cite web|url=http://blog.bowers-wilkins.com/music/how-ed-harcourt-recorded-his-album-in-six-hours-at-abbey-road-studios/?_ga=1.139096634.863960148.1471611440|title=How Ed Harcourt recorded his album in one night at Abbey Road|date=9 January 2013|website=bowers-wilkins.com|access-date=19 August 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/2013/08/26/interview-ed-harcourt/|title=Interview: Ed Harcourt|last=Parker|first=Sean|date=26 August 2013|website=God Is In The TV|access-date=19 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160820003944/http://www.godisinthetvzine.co.uk/2013/08/26/interview-ed-harcourt/|archive-date=20 August 2016|url-status=dead}} The release was supported by a headlining tour around England.{{Cite web|url=http://thequietus.com/articles/11462-ed-harcourt-back-into-the-woods-album-stream-tour|title=Stream Ed Harcourt's New LP|last=Tuffrey|first=Laurie|date=22 February 2013|website=the quietus.net|access-date=19 August 2016}}

In January 2014, Harcourt released Time of Dust, a six-track mini-album on CCCLX. It includes the duet "Come Into My Dreamland" with Kathryn Williams.{{Cite web|url=http://www.musicomh.com/reviews/albums/ed-harcourt-time-dust|title=Ed Harcourt - Time Of Dust {{!}} Album review|last=Murphy|first=John|date=6 January 2014|website=musicOMH|language=en-GB|access-date=19 August 2016}} In 2015 he performed the 17-minute piece "Restoration" for the Belgian charity MusicFund.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gigwise.com/news/99349/ed-harcourt-releases-charity-piano-track-restorati|title=Ed Harcourt releases 17-minute charity track 'Restoration' {{!}} Gigwise|last=Barrie|first=Tom|website=gigwise.com|access-date=7 September 2016}} It was inspired by the BBC documentary Our World: Saving Gaza's grand piano broadcast that featured the work of the charity.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-32042375|title=Saving Gaza's only grand piano|last=Whewell|first=Tim|date=26 March 2015|website=BBC News|access-date=7 September 2016}}

In August 2016, Harcourt released his seventh solo album Furnaces, produced by Flood.{{cite web|url=http://www.phoenixfm.com/2015/07/23/latitude-festival-2015-ed-harcourt/ |title=Latitude 2015: Ed Harcourt |publisher=Phoenix FM |date=17 July 2015 |access-date=17 July 2015}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/new-music-to-listen-to-this-week-ed-harcourt-a7109191.html|title=New music to listen to this week: Ed Harcourt|last=O'Connor|first=Roisin|date=29 June 2016|website=independent.co.uk|language=en-GB|access-date=19 August 2016}} It was described as "gently apocalyptic pop with billowy choruses".{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/aug/18/ed-harcourt-furnaces-review-gently-apocalyptic-pop|title=Ed Harcourt: Furnaces review – gently apocalyptic pop|last=Jonze|first=Tim|date=18 August 2016|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=19 August 2016}}

File:EdHarcourt.jpg

Harcourt performed with Patti Smith and her band as well as Marianne Faithfull during the 2005 Meltdown Festival and her 2014 tour.{{cite web|url=http://www.andrewfwilson.co.uk/meltdown/maddieblog2.htm |title=Patti Smith's Meltdown 2005 |publisher=Andrewfwilson.co.uk |date=11 July 2005 |access-date=27 December 2013}}

Harcourt opened for The Gutter Twins on their European tour in 2008, as well as joining the group on stage to play guitar on some songs, most notably on their appearance on Later... with Jools Holland, performing the single "Idle Hands.".{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxrlOfHkl34 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/YxrlOfHkl34| archive-date=13 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=The Gutter Twins "Idle Hands" live on Jools Holland |publisher=YouTube |access-date=27 December 2013}}{{cbignore}} In December 2013 Harcourt made a guest appearance with Laura Jansen at Bush Hall, London to sing "A Call to Arms".

On 26 June 2015, The Libertines were the surprise special guests on the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury Festival 2015, with Harcourt joining them on stage to play piano.{{cite web|url=http://www.nme.com/news/the-libertines/86504|title=The Libertines bring old classics and new material to secret Glastonbury set - watch|last=Stubbs|first=Dan|date=26 June 2015|website=nme.com|publisher=NME|access-date=26 June 2015}} He also joined the band on stage during the Reading and Leeds Festivals Headline slots in August 2015.

In the summer of 2017, while on tour supporting The Afghan Whigs, Harcourt played rhythm guitar on stage with the band at their concert at NorthSide Festival (Denmark) as well as performing an exclusive, solo mini-concert, at a nearby allotment garden.{{cite web|url=http://www.mynewsdesk.com/dk/northside/pressreleases/ed-harcourt-will-play-northside-1987210 |title=Ed Harcourt will play NorthSide |date=26 May 2017 |publisher=MyNewsDesk |access-date=26 May 2017}}

On 22 October 2017, Harcourt played (as band leader) the whole Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album live at the Philharmonie de Paris for Arte TV show with a little help from Carl Barât and Pete Doherty (The Libertines), Barrie Cadogan (Primal Scream), Danny Goffey and Gaz Coombes (Supergrass), Steve Mason and others.{{cite web |url=https://www.arte.tv/fr/videos/078836-000-A/sgt-pepper-live-a-la-philharmonie-de-paris/ |title="Sgt. Pepper Live" à la Philharmonie de Paris |publisher=Arte.tv |date=22 October 2017 |access-date=3 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171101235904/https://www.arte.tv/fr/videos/078836-000-A/sgt-pepper-live-a-la-philharmonie-de-paris/ |archive-date=1 November 2017 |url-status=dead }}

After the release of the Best Of collection Until Tomorrow Then in 2007, Harcourt changed career and became a songwriter for other acts. In 2008, he co-wrote the title track for the Paloma Faith album Do You Want The Truth Or Something Beautiful?, which reached #64 in the UK singles chart.{{Cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/5616/paloma%20faith/|title=Paloma Faith - singles|website=Official Charts company (UK)}} In 2013 Harcourt worked with Sophie Ellis-Bextor on her fifth studio album Wanderlust, which Harcourt co-wrote and produced. He has written for and performed with Marianne Faithful on her Give My Love to London project in 2014. Other artists include Jamie Cullum,{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2005/sep/23/popandrock.shopping8|title=Jamie Cullum, Catching Tales|last=Petridis|first=Alexis|date=22 September 2005|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=19 August 2016}} James Bay{{Cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/james-bay-mn0003056815/songs|title=James Bay {{!}} Songs {{!}} AllMusic|website=AllMusic|access-date=19 August 2016}} and Lisa Marie Presley. In 2015, Harcourt provided vocals for the track "Villain" from the album 8:58, a project by Paul Hartnoll.{{Cite web|url=http://eightfiftyeight.com|title=Home|website=Eightfiftyeight.com|access-date=19 August 2016|archive-date=5 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191005001922/http://www.eightfiftyeight.com/|url-status=dead}}

He is married to the singer and musician Gita Harcourt-Smith, née Langley, singer and songwriter in The Langley Sisters. Together, the couple have two children – a daughter, Roxy,{{cite web|url=http://www.audioholicmedia.com/?p=794|title=New Material: Ed Harcourt, Russian Roulette|publisher=Audioholic Media|access-date=27 December 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218173418/http://www.audioholicmedia.com/?p=794|archive-date=18 December 2014}} and a son, Franklyn.{{Cite web|url=https://colstonhall.org/news/news/bristol-music-trust-announces-award-winning-creative-producer-to-lead-5m-lantern-project-as-part-of-concert-halls-transformation/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609143354/http://www.colstonhall.org/whatson/Event3473|url-status=dead|title=What's on / Colston Hall|archive-date=9 June 2013|website=Colston Hall|access-date=18 September 2020}}

In the video game Silent Hill: Downpour, his song "Here Be Monsters" is played in the "Surprise" ending and "From Every Sphere" plays on WLMN FM radio.{{cite web|url=http://www.rarityguide.com/articles/articles/1978/1/Silent-Hill-Downpour-Endings-Guide-SPOILERS/Page1.html |title=Silent Hill: Downpour Endings Guide |publisher=Rarityguide.com |access-date=27 December 2013}} The song "Watching The Sun Come Up" also plays in the end credits of the video game Alan Wake's American Nightmare. The song "Born In The 70s" was also featured in the soundtrack for the show The Inbetweeners. In 2014, he wrote and performed the song "The Way That I Live" for the Burberry Christmas film From London with Love.{{Cite web|url=http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/romeo-beckham-stars-burberrys-first-global-christmas-campaign/1320306#|title=Romeo Beckham stars in Burberry's first global Christmas campaign|last=McCabe|first=Maisie|date=3 November 2014|website=campaignlive|access-date=19 August 2016}}

{{main|Ed Harcourt discography}}

• Here Be Monsters (25 June 2001)
• From Every Sphere (17 February 2003)
• Strangers (13 September 2004)
• The Beautiful Lie (5 June 2006)
• Lustre (14 June 2010)
• Back into the Woods (25 February 2013)
• Time of Dust (January 2014)
• Furnaces (August 2016)
• Beyond the End (November 2018)
• Monochrome to Colour (September 2020)
• El Magnifico (29 March 2024)

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• {{Official website|http://www.edharcourt.com }}
• [https://www.myspace.com/edharcourt Official Myspace profile]

{{Ed Harcourt}}

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Category:1977 births

Category:Living people

Category:English pianists

Category:English male singer-songwriters

Category:English singer-songwriters

Category:Heavenly Recordings artists

Category:Capitol Records artists

Category:British male pianists

Category:People from Lewes

Category:21st-century English singers

Category:21st-century British pianists

Category:21st-century British male singers