Priddy was born in Birmingham, England, on 9 November 1994. She grew up in Alvechurch, and attended South Bromsgrove High School.[4][5] She developed an interest in music at a young age, alongside a passion for literature. This dual interest led her to pursue a degree in literature at the University of Sussex, where she further honed her skills in storytelling and narrative construction. These elements would later become central to her songwriting approach.[6][1]
Career
Priddy's music career began to gain traction with the release of her album "The Eternal Rocks Beneath" in 2021. The album achieved commercial success, reaching number one on the Official UK Folk Albums Chart[3] on August 3, 2021. This initial success established her as a noteworthy presence in the UK folk scene. The Guardian has described her as a "folk prodigy".[7] She appeared on the List of UK Independent Album Breakers Chart number ones of the 2020s.
During the pandemic lockdown, Priddy recorded a number of video duets with other musicians from the UK folk scene, including David Delarre, Ciaran Algar and George Boomsma. Notably, she recorded three songs by Nick Drake with fellow Midlands musician, Jon Wilks, Jon Nice and Lukas Drinkwater,[8] forming the short-lived quartet, Slow Jane. She subsequently went on to be included on the "Endless Coloured Ways" compilation album featuring artists covering Nick Drake.[9] She also recorded the vocals for the traditional song, "Mary Ashford's Tragedy", with Jon Wilks.[10]
Priddy has also collaborated and toured with the singer-songwriter, John Smith, releasing the single "Talk to Me of Mendocino" together in 2022.[11]
Her live performances have included notable appearances such as the BBC Proms and the Glastonbury Festival Acoustic Stage, as well as on the BBC's live coverage of the festival.[12] Describing Priddy as "the best thing I've heard all year".[13]
In October 2023, Priddy announced her second studio album, introducing "First House on the Left" as the lead single. The album, titled "The Pendulum Swing," was released in February 2024.[14][15] Produced by Simon Weaver and released under Cooking Vinyl, it was met with positive critical reception from publications such as The Guardian[16] and The Irish Times.[17]
In November 2024, Priddy announced a two track collaboration with Poet Laureate Simon Armitage, featuring two specially commissioned winter-themed poems that Priddy set to music. The first single "Close Season" was released on November 29th, produced by Rob Ellis and recorded at Wool Hall.[19]
