Mercury Prize nominated folk singer, conservationist, song collector and activist
Sam Lee plays a unique role in the British music scene. A Mercury prize nominated singer, highly inventive and original arranger, folksong interpreter, passionate conservationist, song collector and creator of live events. Sam’s work as an artist has shaken up the music scene breaking boundaries between traditional and contemporary music and the assumed places and ways folksong is appreciated. Sam's voice has helped challenge what old songs hold for us today. With his latest critically acclaimed and Mojo Album of the Month ‘songdreaming’, he's summonsed up a truly compelling and emotional album that takes his work to yet another level. In 2021, Sam released his debut novel 'The Nightingale, notes on a songbird' telling the epic tale of this highly endangered bird and their place in culture, folklore, music and literature throughout the millennia. Sam's a regular radio and TV broadcaster, film soundtrack composer and has provided songs for several major feature films. As a change-maker in the music industry he is a co-founder of Music Declares Emergency, FAC board member and the pioneering artist to work with leading environmental charity Earthpercent to whom a portion of proceeds of the current album will be donated.
Live & Upcoming
Latest gigs, appearances, radio & TV
Talks
The Nightingale: An Evening with Sam Lee
The Arts House, Living RoomSingapore, Singapore
Sam Lee is not only a Mercury Prize nominated folk singer, but also a passionate conservationist, and an interpreter and collector of ancient oral music from Britain and Ireland. Spend the evening with Sam as he shares his interest in nature and folk music, as well as from his 2024 book, The Nightingale: Notes on a Songbird. Aside from detailing the various ways humans have celebrated the nightingale through folklore, music and literature, from the past to present day, he will also serenade the audience with his dreamy folksongs.
Talks
The Call of the Jungle
The Arts House, Play DenSingapore, Singapore
Musician and author Sam Lee sees the poetry in folk music and the English woods he has often spent time in. ArunDitha draws inspiration from the concrete jungle of Singapore for her affecting poems and songs. In this conversation, these two speakers from different cultural backgrounds share about their common love for poetry and music, and how they use these art forms to convey earnest stories and heartfelt emotions that make us human.
Talks
Justice beyond the courts: Musical performance and discussion
Leonard Wolfson AuditoriumWolfson College, UK
University of Oxford presents: Centre for Socio-Legal Studies Seminar Series
Join Sam Lee at Justice beyond the courts: Musical performance and discussion.
Latest Projects
Delve into the many strands of my work as a performer, producer, curator & broadcaster.
Albums & Books
My discography so far...Here are my first 4 album offerings alongside my first published book.
Singing with Nightingales
Late night concert in April & May with a small audience, a guest musician and a nightingale
Nature Activism & Awareness
Projects I'm involved with bringing the stories, songs and power of nature into public awareness
My Band & Other Animals
I’m beyond lucky that I get to work with some of the most talented and inventive musicians.
Pilgrimages & Nature Guiding
The nature pilgrimages I lead in the UK and beyond - profound natural spaces.
Radio Hosting
All my documentaries for BBC Radio 4 & Radio 3 & other channels. My full catalogue of work here.
TV & Film
Here is the full repertoire of my inclusions on the silver screen & behind the scenes.
Song Collecting
For 15 years I travelled the UK & Ireland collecting songs from the Gypsy Traveller community.
The Nest Collective
Award winning folk club and concert promoter, hosting live events across the UK.
Podcasts
Both as a presenter and as an interviewee I've spent many hours contributing to the podcast medium.
Stanley Robertson | My Apprenticeship
The most life changing and defining years of my musical journey with Stanley Robertson.
Reportage: Newspaper Articles, Media Appearances & Reviews
“A compliment from the critics is like the hangman saying you have a pretty neck”
Music Industry
Aside from being a creative and artist I actually rather like to get involved behind the scenes.
Music Performances & Projects
Some of my other collaborations as a singer, working on some extraordinary projects.
Literature
Over the years the work I have done has had the honour of being featured in several books.
Awards, Accolades & Nominations
The list is not endless but of these few acknowledgements I am very proud.
Lecturing & Teaching
My occasional forays into lecturing in universities and beyond, UK and abroad.
Featured Video
‘The Nightingale’s Song’ Film – Trailer
Emergence Magazine spent time in the Sussex woods with Sam for their 40-minute mini-feature film ‘The Nightingale's Song’. Watch the film on emergencemagazine.org.
Bushes and Briars
In association with Emergence Magazine. Taken from the forthcoming album Songdreaming, out March 15th 2024.
Meeting is a Pleasant Place
A timeless ordinance to re-imagine what the act of singing with the land can manifest.