Robert Damian Ellis (born 13 February 1962, in Bristol, England) is a rock … Read Full Bio ↴Robert Damian Ellis (born 13 February 1962, in Bristol, England) is a rock drummer, producer, and arranger. He is best known for his work with PJ Harvey, with whom he has been most closely associated as producer, arranger and musician since 1990.
However, between recording and extensive touring with Harvey, he has been involved with a wide range of other projects. His own compositional work, which could be described as being something akin to contemporary “classical” music, has been released on two recordings “Music for the home - Volume 1” (2000) & “Music for the home - Volume 2” (2004) for The Leaf Label. This music, which utilises traditional methods of composition alongside modern computer techniques references and sometimes directly quotes from such giants of 20th Century classical music as Debussy, Ravel and Stravinsky, often in a deliberately whimsical and humorous way, although equally often a deep sense of melancholy and cynicism pervades.
His band, Spleen, have recorded three albums “Soundtrack to Spleen” (1996) “Little Scratches” (1998) and “Nun Lover!” (2006) and he has also recorded under the name “Christmas”.
He has also worked as producer/arranger and musician for such diverse artists as Marianne Faithfull, Robyn Hitchcock, ex-Ash guitarist Charlotte Hatherley, Madrugada, Laika, Swell, Placebo, Pooka, Kitty Wu, Michael Partington, Marlene Kuntz, ex-Tricky singer Martina Topley-Bird, Scott Walker, Ute Lemper, Lise Westzynthius, Nathalie Nordnes, Mick Harvey of the Bad Seeds and most recently Anna Calvi.