AIL Talks to Folk Sensation Sam Lee

Last year, Sam Lee released his debut album Ground of Its Own to critical acclaim. With that release having scored a Mercury Prize nomination he embarks on a four-date run of shows in London’s north, south, east and west this February. We caught up with the folk singer/songwriter to talk unexpected Mercury nominations, Michael Jackson and burlesque.


Hi Sam and thanks for taking the time to answer some questions for us. We’ll just dive straight in. How did it feel to achieve the recognition of having your debut album nominated for the Mercury Prize?

At first I thought it was an administrative error, then I realized it wasn’t and I exploded in happiness, then it quickly became an administrative nightmare, now I've recovered a bit and it’s alright now. I am still well thrilled.


For our readers - and any new listeners among them - can you describe your music for them in five words?

Untempered folk songs with additives.


You used to perform in a burlesque show. Since your debut release have you left it all behind? Do you miss anything about it?

Never say never, I miss the frivolity and the fun times and the sense of abandon that scene had, I miss the creative freedom that came with a community interested in subversion and hedonism in such a pleasurable yet inclusive way.


Who were the bands/groups that inspired you to begin to perform?

Ok, I have to answer Michael Jackson was the first great hero but didn’t make me want to be a performer, more a musical explorer. Joni Mitchell made me want to write and Peter Kennedy made me want to collect songs. Combined it had a very dangerous effect on me indeed.


You have an amazing, memorable voice. But did you have to learn the art of folk singing or was it an immediate fit?

Thank you guys. That’s a good question and does one wear a voice or does one find their voice? I think I discovered singing through falling in love with the old singers in field recordings and then the traveler community and heard in them an honesty and purity yet danger and risk which was so attractive. It came from somewhere so deep and dangerous and explosive. Along with that came a dexterity and articulation that I just understood and as I absorbed the songs I soaked up the richness of ideas that were enclosed in this tradition. So I sort of ‘osmosis-ed’ this voice uncontrollably.


You’ve travelled a lot in your life and it seems it was partly as a process of making Ground of Its Own. Do you envy the travelling lifestyle?

Absolutely the freedom, the life outdoors round fires and close to the earth, I spent much of my youth like that with finger nails black and baskets of wild mushrooms and stews cooking over fires so I have experienced lots of wilderness in my life but I guess I lament the lack of it now I have become a touring and professional musician. Not so much time to do that sort of thing.


You’re originally from North London, what are some of your favourite things about the city?

Wow, London is like a best friend and always provides a joyous encounter wherever I go. I love its complexity, its unforgiving hardness yet its sturdiness and I even love its ugliness. Once you have worked out its odd ways it will always provide what you are looking for be it isolation, quietness, or a dance floor and some unashamed defiance. London will live forever.


Can you recommend any gems that Londoners should know about, whether pub, market or music?

Well I think the London folk scene is incredible but I would say that as I run regular nights in it, I have discovered this amazing church hall in Dalston called St. Marks which is stunning and I’ve been putting on dance nights with the Ceilidh Liberation Front and that has seen a renaissance in my love of dance - check it out via the Nest Collective.


If you could put together your ultimate band line-up who would make it in?

I would like to make a choir using Sarah Vaughan, Jeannie Robertson, Mel Torme,
Tim Buckley and Scott Walker. And I’d like Stravinsky to be the musical director. I’d make the tea I think and just bask in it.


If you could only listen to one song again for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Up a Wild and Lonely Glen by Stanley Robertson.

Mercury Prize nominated folk singer/songwriter Sam Lee plays four London shows in February. So whether you live in North, South, East or West, you won't have to travel far to experience a performance from this acclaimed artist. Playing with full band, Sam Lee will showcase his breathtakingly beautiful take on pastoral folk in the intimate surrounds of Cafe Oto, The Bedford Arms, Cecil Sharpe House and West London's iconic Tabernacle.