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==Career==
==Career==
==The Lakeman Brothers==
===The Lakeman Brothers===
Seth Lakeman began playing music with his parents and two brothers [[Sean Lakeman|Sean]] and [[Sam Lakeman]] at an early age.
Seth Lakeman began playing music with his parents and two brothers [[Sean Lakeman|Sean]] and [[Sam Lakeman]] at an early age.


As [[The Lakeman Brothers]], the three brothers released their critically acclaimed debut album ''[[Three Piece Suite (album)|Three Piece Suite]]'' in 1994. Later that same year they were invited by two Yorkshire based singers [[Kathryn Roberts]] and [[Kate Rusby]] to join them as a backing group on a tour of [[Portugal]]. After the tour the five musicians became a permanent group and called themselves [[Equation (folk-rock group)|Equation]].<ref name="theguardian">http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2008/jun/27/filmandmusic1.filmandmusic15</ref> The group swiftly garnered critical praise and were signed in a record deal with [[Time Warner]] in 1995. After three full albums (''Return to Me'' in 1996, ''Hazy Daze'' in 1998, and ''The Lucky Few'' in 2000), and tours in the UK, Europe and the United States, Lakeman left Equation in 2001. He joined his brother Sam and Sam's wife [[Cara Dillon]] and appeared on Dillon's acclaimed [[eponymous]] debut album, which featured Seth on fiddle, guitar and vocals.<ref name="amg1">http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wbfixqq0ld6e~T2</ref> The album won two awards at the 2002 [[BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards]].<ref name="awards2002">http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/events/folkawards2008/previouswinners.shtml</ref>
As [[The Lakeman Brothers]], the three brothers released their critically acclaimed debut album ''[[Three Piece Suite (album)|Three Piece Suite]]'' in 1994. Later that same year they were invited by two Yorkshire based singers [[Kathryn Roberts]] and [[Kate Rusby]] to join them as a backing group on a tour of [[Portugal]]. After the tour the five musicians became a permanent group and called themselves [[Equation (folk-rock group)|Equation]].<ref name="theguardian">http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2008/jun/27/filmandmusic1.filmandmusic15</ref> The group swiftly garnered critical praise and were signed in a record deal with [[Time Warner]] in 1995. After three full albums (''Return to Me'' in 1996, ''Hazy Daze'' in 1998, and ''The Lucky Few'' in 2000), and tours in the UK, Europe and the United States, Lakeman left Equation in 2001. He joined his brother Sam and Sam's wife [[Cara Dillon]] and appeared on Dillon's acclaimed [[eponymous]] debut album, which featured Seth on fiddle, guitar and vocals.<ref name="amg1">http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wbfixqq0ld6e~T2</ref> The album won two awards at the 2002 [[BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards]].<ref name="awards2002">http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/events/folkawards2008/previouswinners.shtml</ref>


==Solo work==
===Solo work===
In 2002 Lakeman released his first solo album, ''[[The Punch Bowl (album)|The Punch Bowl]]'', which received wide critical acclaim including a review in ''[[fRoots]]'' magazine which said: "The songs don't just glide smoothly by.....they get their claws into you".
In 2002 Lakeman released his first solo album, ''[[The Punch Bowl (album)|The Punch Bowl]]'', which received wide critical acclaim including a review in ''[[fRoots]]'' magazine which said: "The songs don't just glide smoothly by.....they get their claws into you".


''[[Kitty Jay (album)|Kitty Jay]]'', Lakeman's second solo album was released in 2004. The title track of the album tells the story of [[Jay's Grave]], a well known location on [[Dartmoor]]. The album was recorded for a cost of less than £300.<ref name="dailytelegraph">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandjazzmusic/3555632/Seth-Lakeman-to-the-sea.html</ref> That same year he collaborated with Devon [[singer-songwriter]] [[Steve Knightley]] and young local singer Jenna Witts on the album ''[[Western Approaches]]''.
''[[Kitty Jay (album)|Kitty Jay]]'', Lakeman's second solo album was released in 2004. The title track of the album tells the story of [[Jay's Grave]], a well known location on [[Dartmoor]]. The album was recorded for a cost of less than £300.<ref name="dailytelegraph">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandjazzmusic/3555632/Seth-Lakeman-to-the-sea.html</ref> That same year he collaborated with Devon [[singer-songwriter]] [[Steve Knightley]] and young local singer Jenna Witts on the album ''[[Western Approaches]]''.


A sell-out UK tour in Autumn 2005 followed his [[Mercury Music Prize]] nomination, after which Lakeman and his band (regularly brother Sean (guitar), Ben Nichols (bass), Andy Tween(drums), toured extensively with folk-rock giants [[The Levellers (band)|The Levellers]], who took to closing their set with a "fiddle off" between Lakeman and Levellers' fiddler [[Jonathan Sevink]]. Other support tours with [[Billy Bragg]] and [[Jools Holland]] brought Lakeman's music to a wider audience.
A sell-out UK tour in Autumn 2005 followed his [[Mercury Music Prize]] nomination, after which Lakeman and his band (regularly brother Sean (guitar), Ben Nichols (bass), Andy Tween(drums), toured extensively with folk-rock giants [[The Levellers (band)|The Levellers]], who took to closing their set with a "fiddle off" between Lakeman and Levellers' fiddler [[Jonathan Sevink]]. Other support tours with [[Billy Bragg]] and [[Jools Holland]] brought Lakeman's music to a wider audience.


In March 2006 Lakeman began a UK tour in order to promote his new album ''[[Freedom Fields]]'' which was released on [[iScream]]. He signed to a new major record label, [[Relentless Records]], promptly releasing a new single "Lady of the Sea" in early August 2006.
In March 2006 Lakeman began a UK tour in order to promote his new album ''[[Freedom Fields]]'' which was released on [[iScream]]. He signed to a new major record label, [[Relentless Records]], promptly releasing a new single "Lady of the Sea" in early August 2006.

His fourth solo album, [[Poor Man's Heaven (Album)|Poor Man's Heaven]], was released 30 June 2008 with an accompanying tour. It introduced a rockier edge to the folk of the previous albums.

The next solo album, [[Hearts and Minds (Album)|Hearts and Minds]] is due to be released on 14 June 2010.<ref>{{cite web |title=Seth Lakeman - Hearts&Minds |url=http://sethlakeman.com/freedownload/ |accessdate=2010-05-02}}</ref>


==Festival tours==
==Festival tours==

Revision as of 11:26, 2 May 2010

Seth Lakeman

Seth Bernard Lakeman (born 26 March 1977) was born and raised in the village of Buckland Monachorum, near Yelverton, Devon. He is an English folk singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, who is most often associated with the fiddle and tenor guitar, but has also mastered the viola and banjo. Nominated for the prestigious Mercury Music Prize, Lakeman has belonged to several musical ensembles, including one with his two brothers, fellow folk musicians Sam Lakeman and Sean Lakeman. but has most recently established himself as a solo headlining act.

Career

The Lakeman Brothers

Seth Lakeman began playing music with his parents and two brothers Sean and Sam Lakeman at an early age.

As The Lakeman Brothers, the three brothers released their critically acclaimed debut album Three Piece Suite in 1994. Later that same year they were invited by two Yorkshire based singers Kathryn Roberts and Kate Rusby to join them as a backing group on a tour of Portugal. After the tour the five musicians became a permanent group and called themselves Equation.[1] The group swiftly garnered critical praise and were signed in a record deal with Time Warner in 1995. After three full albums (Return to Me in 1996, Hazy Daze in 1998, and The Lucky Few in 2000), and tours in the UK, Europe and the United States, Lakeman left Equation in 2001. He joined his brother Sam and Sam's wife Cara Dillon and appeared on Dillon's acclaimed eponymous debut album, which featured Seth on fiddle, guitar and vocals.[2] The album won two awards at the 2002 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.[3]

Solo work

In 2002 Lakeman released his first solo album, The Punch Bowl, which received wide critical acclaim including a review in fRoots magazine which said: "The songs don't just glide smoothly by.....they get their claws into you".

Kitty Jay, Lakeman's second solo album was released in 2004. The title track of the album tells the story of Jay's Grave, a well known location on Dartmoor. The album was recorded for a cost of less than £300.[4] That same year he collaborated with Devon singer-songwriter Steve Knightley and young local singer Jenna Witts on the album Western Approaches.

A sell-out UK tour in Autumn 2005 followed his Mercury Music Prize nomination, after which Lakeman and his band (regularly brother Sean (guitar), Ben Nichols (bass), Andy Tween(drums), toured extensively with folk-rock giants The Levellers, who took to closing their set with a "fiddle off" between Lakeman and Levellers' fiddler Jonathan Sevink. Other support tours with Billy Bragg and Jools Holland brought Lakeman's music to a wider audience.

In March 2006 Lakeman began a UK tour in order to promote his new album Freedom Fields which was released on iScream. He signed to a new major record label, Relentless Records, promptly releasing a new single "Lady of the Sea" in early August 2006.

His fourth solo album, Poor Man's Heaven, was released 30 June 2008 with an accompanying tour. It introduced a rockier edge to the folk of the previous albums.

The next solo album, Hearts and Minds is due to be released on 14 June 2010.[5]

Festival tours

In 2007

In 2007, Seth Lakeman performed at the SXSW festival in Texas, Hyde Park Calling, in Hyde Park, London, the Glastonbury Festival, The V Festival in South Staffordshire, Womad Charlton Park Festival in Wiltshire, England, the Folk by the Oak Festival, the Edmonton Folk Music Festival, in Alberta, Canada, the Cornbury Music Festival, Fairport's Cropredy Convention, and the Towersey Village Festival (both located in Oxfordshire, England), and Lakeman provided support for Tori Amos on her European tour.

2008

Seth Lakeman performing at the Folk by the Oak Festival in 2008 Photo: David Laws

On 18 April 2008, Lakeman appeared on stage with Jethro Tull on their 40th anniversary tour at Colston Hall in Bristol before the start of his own UK tour later that month and going on to tour the festival circuit throughout the summer. His fourth album, Poor Man's Heaven was released on 30 June 2008. It includes "Solomon Browne", a tribute to the courage of the men who lost their lives in the Penlee lifeboat disaster.[6] In August 2008, Lakeman was one of the acts playing at the Greenbelt Festival in Cheltenham, England, to over 18,000 people.

2009

The festival tour continued in 2009 (with new drummer Simon Lea); notably with an appearance at the Bath Fringe Festival on 3 June, playing at the newly renovated Komedia venue to a capacity crowd who enjoyed renditions from Poor Man's Heaven and other albums as well as a wealth of new material. On 29 June they played the Glastonbury Festival's Avalon stage.

In August 2009 Lakeman performed at Cambridge Folk Festival for the second year running and again at Fairport's Cropredy Festival, Fairport Convention's annual folk festival in Oxfordshire, headlining on the Friday night. The band also headlined at The Levellers' Beautiful Days festival on Friday 21 August and at the V Festival in Weston Park the following day. The band, now augmented by the presence of Benji Kirkpatrick, performed on the Shrewsbury Folk Festival main stage on 29 August and then at Solfest, in Cumbria, England on Sunday 30 August.

On September 13, 2009, Lakeman performed at the Harvest At Jimmy's Food & Music Festival at Jimmy's Farm, Suffolk.

Lakeman has also been a regular performer at the small annual Parklife Festival in the Town of Tavistock near to his home village of Buckland Monarchorum.

Awards

Style of music

Seth Lakeman's primary musical instruments are the violin, the tenor guitar, the banjo and the viola.

Discography

Name Type Date of release Remarks
as principal performer
The Punch Bowl Album 2002
Re-release: 2004-06-07
Kitty Jay Album 2004
Re-release: 2005-08-01 and 2006-10-09 		UK chart position: 100.
Freedom Fields Album First edition: 2006-03-20
Re-release: 2006-08-21 		UK chart position (2006-08-27) 32.
"The Bold Knight" Single 2005 Released on CD single.
"Lady Of The Sea (Hear Her Calling)" Single 07/08/2006 UK chart position (2006-08-07) 52. Released on CD single and 7" vinyl.
"The White Hare" Single 2006-10-21 UK chart position (2006-10-30) 47. Released as a two part CD single and limited edition white vinyl 7".
"King & Country" Single 2007-02-05 Released only as a 7" vinyl single.
Poor Man's Heaven EP 2007-10-22 Four-track EP (Poor Man's Heaven; Race to be King; How Much (Live); Lillywhite Girl) released on CD single and double 7" vinyl.
Poor Man's Heaven Live EP EP (Download) 2008-04-22 Free EP release as a download from the official website [1], featuring live versions of five tracks (Poor Man's Heaven; Lady Of The Sea; Haunt You; Blood Red Sky; and Bold Knight) recorded at Shepherd's Bush Empire in October 2007.
Poor Man's Heaven Album 2008-06-30 UK chart position (2008-07-06): 8
"The Hurlers with Sound of a Drum" Single 2008-06-30 Limited edition 7" vinyl release.
"Crimson Dawn" Single 2008-07-06 Download only.
"Solomon Browne" Single 13/10/2008 (TBC)
in The Lakeman Brothers
Three Piece Suite Album 1994
with Equation
In Session Promotional Only E.P. 1995
Return to Me Album 1995–1996
2003-03-24 		Recorded in 1995–1996, album was shelved days before release and finally issued in 2003.
Hazy Daze Album 1998-02-02
The Lucky Few Album 1999
2003-11-17
The Dark Ages E.P. E.P. 2001
2004-06-14 		As guest musician
First Name Terms Album 2002
2004-06-07 		As guest musician
with Cara Dillon
Cara Dillon Album 2001-07-16
Sweet Liberty Album 2003-09-22
with Steve Knightley and Jenna Witts
Western Approaches Album 2004-09-27

References

  1. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2008/jun/27/filmandmusic1.filmandmusic15
  2. ^ http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:wbfixqq0ld6e~T2
  3. ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/events/folkawards2008/previouswinners.shtml
  4. ^ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/rockandjazzmusic/3555632/Seth-Lakeman-to-the-sea.html
  5. ^ "Seth Lakeman - Hearts&Minds". Retrieved 2010-05-02.
  6. ^ http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/sftw/article1408108.ece
  7. ^ http://www.xfm.co.uk/article.asp?id=106755
  8. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6333059.stm
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