Seth Lakeman

Seth Lakeman is an English singer-songwriter and musician from Yelverton, Devon, associated with alternative folk and folk. He is also a multi-instrumentalist, best known for playing fiddle and tenor guitar, and he also plays viola and banjo.

Early life and groups

Lakeman grows up in Buckland Monachorum in West Devon with his brothers Sean and Sam, and he begins making music with his parents and siblings from an early age. With Sean and Sam he performs as The Lakeman Brothers, and the trio releases its debut album, Three Piece Suite, in 1994.

Later in 1994, Kathryn Roberts and Kate Rusby invite the brothers to join them on a tour of Portugal as a backing group. The five musicians then become a permanent band called Equation. The group signs to Time Warner in 1995 and releases three albums: Return to Me in 1996, Hazy Daze in 1998 and The Lucky Few in 2000. Lakeman leaves Equation in 2001.

Solo work

After leaving Equation, Lakeman establishes himself as a solo artist. His first solo album, The Punch Bowl, appears in 2002 and receives strong critical attention. His second solo album, Kitty Jay, follows in 2004; its title track tells the story of Jay's Grave on Dartmoor. In the same year he works with Devon singer-songwriter Steve Knightley and Jenna Witts on Western Approaches.

His third solo album, Freedom Fields, is released on iScream in 2006. He then signs to Relentless Records and releases the single Lady of the Sea later that year. Poor Man's Heaven follows in 2008 and is described by its rockier sound compared with his earlier records. He releases Hearts & Minds in 2010 and Tales From The Barrel House in 2011.

Recognition and collaborations

Lakeman is nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2005. He also appears with Sam Lakeman on Cara Dillon's debut album, on which he contributes fiddle, guitar and vocals; the album wins two awards at the 2002 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

On tour he performs with his band, which includes brother Sean on guitar, Ben Nichols on bass and Andy Tween on drums. He also tours with The Levellers, and support slots with Billy Bragg and Jools Holland help bring his music to a wider audience.