Westcountry folk singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Seth Lakeman released stunning new studio album Make Your Mark in November 2021. Written during his enforced 18 months off the road, the album features 14 powerful, brand-new songs including the first single Higher We Aspire which was playlisted at BBC Radio 2.

Inspiration for the songs on his 11th studio album came from a range of subjects – from the environment to love, death and self-belief. Recorded at Middle Farm Studios in Devon and produced by Seth himself, the album was released on his own label, Honour Oak Records.

Seth Lakeman was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2005 for ‘Kitty Jay’.  It catapulted Lakeman into the forefront of the new British folk movement and his follow up was the gold-selling ‘Freedom Fields’ which was released twice in 2006. Produced by his brother Sean Lakeman it came out on iScream and was then re-released by Relentless (EMI) where it went on to become Seth’s first of 6 UK Top 40 albums.

To celebrate the 15th anniversary in 2021 Seth played a worldwide online concert stream with his band playing the album which includes ‘Lady of the Sea’, ‘King and Country’ and ‘White Hare’, released a Deluxe Edition of the album on CD & Vinyl with bonus tracks and unreleased demos and toured in November playing the album in its entirety.

www.sethlakeman.co.uk

MAKE YOUR MARK (Single) https://youtu.be/UPBI8U5YpFo

You’re famous now, but it hasn’t always been that way. When you first started out where did you perform?

I started out performing with my brothers on the folk scene in the early 1990’s. It was an exciting time for emerging musicians and certainly gave us a solid start in the music industry

What was it that made you first pick up a guitar and start writing songs?

I first started  writing songs on the violin, then quickly moved to the tenor guitar. I’ve always been interested in history and my local area so it soon became a focus for my songwriting

Your second album Kitty Jay was recorded for under £300. How did you do this?

It was simple to record as it was just a week with my brother Sean. Only overheads were paying for the tape and the session musicians.

How did it feel being nominated for the Mercury Prize in 2005?

It was a huge surprise, I’d never expected anything i was writing had a chance to be noticed like that. It certainly launched my career

Do you have a favourite performing memory?

I think I’ve been ever so lucky to perform all over the world in many different guises, in the amphitheatre in Libya at leptus magna was incredible. But also playing rock n roll with Robert plant and sheryl crow in Toronto was pretty cool

What do you think of busking as a form of performing?

I’ve always loved playing anywhere. I used to busk with my family every year in France to earnsome summer money. I still busk, especially abroad and in unusual places.

Folk music has a long history of being a storytelling form. Does that matter to you?

I’ve always been drawn to storytelling with in songs. And always loved the way you can celebrate people and places in songs. I think it’s really important to keep a journey flowing within a song.

What do you do to support the music scene and emerging artists?

I’m looking out for young artists to work with all the time. I think it’s really exciting to discover talent and give them a leg up on a tour. It’s always helped me in the past. It’s really important for the future of music.

And what more could be done by society?

I think people could pay more attention to the people behind the music. The hard work they put in. There’s seems to be a lack of attention there

Why did you decide to perform at International Busking Day 2022?

I’m curious to see the busking talent around. I always stop and throw some coins to a busker and it’s something I’ve always thought is a wonderful way to travel. 

What do you think of when you think of Wembley?

I’ll be honest, I think of football and big sports games. But I know after IBD I’ll be thinking differently. I can’t wait

What are you most excited about for International Busking Day?

I’m really excited to see the wide variety of singers and musicians the festival is staging.  

International Busking Day

You can see more about International Busking Day here.

  • Now in its seventh year, International Busking Day will return this summer with big names, alongside up and coming artists and grassroots acts.
  • Curated and produced by Busk in London, who are supported by the Mayor of London, the festival scooped up an award at the prestigious Music Cities Awards 2021, a global competition designed to reward the most outstanding applications of music for social and cultural development in cities all around the world.
  • Created by Busk in London in 2015 as a hashtag campaign to help raise the profile of street performance and celebrate talent, it has grown and developed into a musical highlight in London’s cultural calendar. It was designed as a promotional vehicle to highlight the importance and value of busking – which has been under increasing pressure over recent years due to gentrification.
  • There will be over 150 performers on 10 stages from across different art forms. Music, street theatre, circus, acrobatics, street art, dance and more will all be on offer to entice and excite visitors.
  • One of the 10 stages will be fully dedicated to emerging musicians from North-West London nurturing local talent to become the next headliners at Wembley venues.
  • International Busking Day is a great opportunity to support some of the hottest home-grown talent and world-class street performers, in London’s most iconic destination for music and live entertainment.
  • One Wembley was known for its big stage – and we want to enable everyone to have that feeling. From emerging artists to household names, everyone can feel a star at London’s home of music. Whether you’re at the beginning or pinnacle of your musical career, Wembley Park is the home of musical talent.
  • Through International Busking Day and its annual free cultural programme, Wembley Park is providing opportunities for the community to participate and engage with live experiences across different artforms.
  • Wembley Park is London’s most exciting new neighbourhood – only 12 minutes from central London it is home to a broad and varied cultural offering for local residents and visitors from further afield.

Contact

Francesca Baker (francesca@afternyne.com) or Anna Stephens (anna@afternyne.com)