Polly Paulusma /ˈpɔːlzmə/ (born 10 November 1976) is an English singer-songwriter.^[1][2]

Paulusma's first album, Scissors in my Pocket, was largely recorded and produced by herself at her home.^[3] Her second album, Cosmic Rosy Spine Kites (an anagram of the first album's title) features the same tracks, four of which were recorded with a string quartet; the rest at a gig in Manchester, England, where she supported Jamie Cullum.^[4] She has supported other artists on tour including; Marianne Faithfull and Coldplay. Paulusma played at the Glastonbury Festival in 2005.^[5][6]

In 2004, Paulusma self-produced her first album using her computer.^[7] Paulusma and her management used the internet, just as it was becoming widely accessible,^[8] and other contemporary methods of distribution to reach a larger audience. Two of Paulusma's tracks, "Over the Hill" and the live version of "She Moves in Secret Ways", were issued as free downloads through Apple's iTunes Store.^[9] Paulusma was one of the first musicians to use Myspace, her own website, blogs, and a link to a forum, to connect with them and keep them up-to-date on her touring and recording plans.^[10]

Paulusma's third album Fingers and Thumbs was released in the June 2007 with its corresponding sister album Fights and Numbers as an iTunes-only digital download.^[11] Paulusma founded a small record label called Wild Sound Recordings Ltd in 2012 and in 2012 released Leaves from the Family Tree with its corresponding sister-album The Small Feat of my Reverie in 2014.^[11] Since 2012 Wild Sound has signed nine indie folk artists including Maz O'Connor, Stylusboy, Harry Harris, Matthew The Oxx, Dan Wilde and Mortal Tides.^[12]

Paulusma teaches Cambridge English undergraduates in Practical Criticism as part of the English Tripos.^[13][14] Paulusma is a postgraduate CHASE scholar at the University of East Anglia where she is researching the influence of traditional folksong on the writings of the British novelist Angela Carter.^[15][16]

In 2004, The Guardian described Paulusma on Scissors in My Pocket as, "a voice capable of some unexpected twists".^[7] Rolling Stone said Scissors in My Pocket was “an enchanting debut of understated, intelligent folk pop”.^[17] Uncut suggested Paulusma could be "a worthy successor" to Joni Mitchell.^[18] In 2012, Space City Rock reviewed Leaves From The Family Tree, stating, "this could be a huge album".^[19] In 2021, For Folk's Sake reviewed Invisible Music: folk songs that influenced Angela Carter, calling it "a literary, clever, erudite, elegantly crafted offering from Polly Paulusma".^[20] In 2022, Folking called Paulusma's The Pivot On Which The World Turns "a record that has an immense heartbeat with an eternal pulse".^[21]

Paulusma is the daughter of medieval historian Jonathan Riley-Smith.^[1][22]

Paulusma's first son was born on 10 November 2006 (coincidentally Polly's own birthday) and her second son was born on 1 August 2008.^[23]

Paulusma and her husband, Mick Paulusma,^[23] lived in the thinnest home in London for 12 years.^[24] Located in Battersea, the 7-foot-7-inch-wide (2.31 m) home was where Paulusma recorded her first album Scissors in my Pocket and the demos for Fingers & Thumbs.^[25] Since 2010, the couple has lived in Cambridge, England.^[23]

• Scissors in My Pocket (2004)^[18]
• Dark Side (2004, single, with B-side)^[26]
• Cosmic Rosy Spine Kites (2005, live)^[27]
• Fingers & Thumbs (2007)^[28]
• Fights & Numbers (2007, iTunes only)^[29]
• Leaves From The Family Tree (2012)^[19]
• The Small Feat of My Reverie (2014)^[30][31]
• Invisible Music - Folk Songs That Influenced Angela Carter (2021)^[32]
• The Pivot On Which The World Turns (2022)^[21]
• When Violent Hot Pitch Words Hurt (2023)^[21]