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 with The Guardian giving it a 5-star review. 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.

A Mercury Prize nominee, Sam’s journey began with his groundbreaking debut album Ground Of Its Own in 2012, where he dramatically reworked old songs with a unique blend of traditional and contemporary sounds. This album, made possible by a prestigious Arts Foundation award, was short-listed for the Mercury Music Prize and marked Sam’s immediate impact on the music scene. His subsequent albums, The Fade In Time and Old Wow, further pushed boundaries, earning him accolades such as a Songlines Award for Artist of the Year and recognition at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

Sam’s latest work, songdreaming, released in March 2024, represents another bold step in his artistic journey. Working once again with producer Bernard Butler and long-term collaborator James Keay, songdreaming adds new layers to his music with a global sweep of instruments and sounds. This album underscores Sam’s commitment to evolving his music beyond traditional folk boundaries while maintaining a deep connection to the themes of nature and human experience.

Beyond his albums, Sam has made significant contributions through live events and his work as a broadcaster and campaigner. His highly loved and sell-out annual ‘Singing With Nightingales’ springtime immersive events have highlighted the plight of this endangered species using music to connect people with nature in profound ways. His collaboration with the RSPB on the 2019 campaign Let Nature Sing brought bird songs to the top 20 of the UK music charts, raising awareness of environmental issues.

Sam’s dedication to the natural world extends to his involvement with organisations like Music Declares Emergency and Right 2 Roam for which is he a founder member of. Likewise for EarthPercent sam holds the acclaim of being the first artists to employ the EarthPercent integration model for a touring artist. He has used his music and public presence to advocate for environmental causes, exemplified by memorable events like leading a 1500-strong crowd in Berkeley Square to sing for nature’s protection.

Raised in North London’s Kentish Town, Sam’s early love for music and nature was nurtured during summer holidays with the children’s charity Forest School Camps, where he developed a deep connection to the wild and traditional songs sung around campfires. This foundation led to his unique path as a song collector, mentored by the Scottish Traveller singer Stanley Robertson, and later spending years recording songs from the Gypsy Traveller community.

Sam’s work is a testament to his belief in the power of traditional songs to speak to modern audiences. His reimagined and reworked songs serve as a living, vibrant connection to our cultural and natural heritage, offering new relevance and insights. As he continues to innovate and inspire, Sam Lee remains a vital voice in both the music and environmental landscapes, dedicated to using his art to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world around us.