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 Future is Sound at Ally Pally
Alexandra PalaceLondon, UK
FutureSound presents three hours of inspiring TED Talks & immersive sound experiences at the world’s largest gathering dedicated to the transformational power of sound, coming to Alexandra Palace Theatre in October 2024. Join us as we reimagine music with Robot Koch, Sam Lee, Bushwacka! Normski, Dreamachine + many more.
Celebrate the 5th Anniversary of The Future is Sound with an unforgettable show, unveiling its most captivating chapter yet. Experience the transformative power of music as phenomenal artists, speakers, and performers take you on a unique journey through sound. This extraordinary event will feature engaging TED talks, live performances, and exciting surprises.
In our quest to continually showcase unique talent from around the world, we are thrilled to welcome the award-winning artist and composer ROBOT KOCH. Flying in from LA exclusively for this event, this will be ROBOT’S only live appearance in London in 2024.
CONFIRMED FIRST WAVE ARTISTS, SPEAKERS & EXPERIENCES INCLUDE:
‘FROM DJ BOOTH TO BREAKTHROUGH’ DJ/PRODUCER BUSHWACKA!
ROBOT KOCH – LIVE PERFORMANCE (FEAT KATE FLEUR YOUNG VOCALS)
SAM LEE: MERCURY PRIZE NOMINATED SINGER & ACTIVIST
MONTAÑERA: [LIVE PERFORMANCE] COLOMBIAN SINGER/SONGWRITER & COMPOSER
DREAMACHINE: ‘EXPLORE THE EXTRAORDINARY POTENTIAL OF YOUR MIND’ INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE.
‘FACES OF MUSIC’ – THE EVOLUTION OF LONDON’S ICONIC MUSIC CULTURE THROUGH THE LENS OF NORMSKI. AN EXCLUSIVE CURATION FOR FUTURESOUND.
BELLE CHEN – PIANIST & COMPOSER (LIVE PERFORMANCE)
BON MUSIC VISION – EVENT OPENING SOUNDSCAPE & PERFORMANCE
SANDRA SCHEMBRI – CEO NORDOFF ROBBINS MUSIC THERAPY UK
DR.MARTHA NEWSON – RAVE AS RITUAL: THE EVOLUTIONARY POWER OF MUSIC IN FORGING URBAN COMMUNITIES
EVENT CO-HOSTED BY JIMMY KYRIACOU & ADAH PARRIS.
MORE SPEAKERS AND PERFORMERS ANNOUNCED SOON!
Age recommendation 16+
Concerts: Solo
Wimbledon Bookfest – Wild Service (Songs and Stories from Nature)
Rutherford TheatreLondon, UK
‘Wild Service’ calls for ordinary people to reconnect to the land and commit to its restoration.
Whether it is polluted rivers, tree felling or the decline of pollinators, this event invites you to discover the power in participation and community.
Writers Nicola Chester and Jon Moses, as well as musician Sam Lee (who will also perform), lay out how we can collectively shape a brighter future for our homeland by developing new connections with the natural world.
‘[An] inspired, inclusive and fantastically ambitious reimagining of our relationship with land and the living world, in Britain and beyond.’- Robert Macfarlane
Appearances
Folk & Fungi Tuscany Retreat 31st Oct – 4th Nov
Secret LocationTuscany, Italy
Join the Meadowsweet family over this Samhain for Folk & Fungi, an intimate gathering of maximum 14 people exploring the mysteries of mycology and the magic of folk music. Enjoy intimate performances from Sam Lee, whose folk songs and ancient tales will transport you to a world of old. Join in evening fireside rhythm and song jams, celebrating the season with music that connects us to our roots.
Wander through the woods on foraging and mushroom hunts with expert guide Foraged by Fern, exploring the underground wonders of the mycelium and discovering the interconnectedness of nature.
As the warmth of the wood fire sauna envelops us, ancient tales of folklore will weave their spell, connecting us to the traditions and narratives that have shaped these lands.
Move, meditate, and breathe deeply with Phoebe in an 8m Mongolian yurt with a skylight, letting the autumn light fill your spirit. Participate in daily sharing circles, vocal activation workshops, herbalism and earth connection workshops, and native plant medicine ceremonies guided by Amanda the Wild Tea Lady.
In true Meadowsweet style, meal times are always a place of
celebration and a time of the day to look forward to (especially after a day treasure hunting in the forest!). Our resident chef Peter Grant, of ‘Trewhitts’ will not only be cooking up the most delicious, plant-based meals, but he’ll also be teaching you some of his tips in the kitchen to create flavour packed, foraged meals using the whole plant, from seed, stem, flower and fruit.
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.