Seth Lakeman

• Website: www.sethlakeman.co.uk

Seth Lakeman, widely regarded as the UK's foremost folk singer-songwriter, who makes his eagerly awaited return with new studio album Hearts & Minds, is touring the country promoting his album. The follow up to the 2008 Top 10, critically acclaimed Poor Man's Heaven, Hearts & Minds encompasses traditional and modern themes of love, loss and human struggle and represents a further leap forward in both songwriting and sonics. Lakeman has taken his story telling to a new level on his fourth album, tackling contemporary issues such as the financial crash and the greed of politicians and the banking system. Hearts & Minds (19th July Relentless/ Virgin) also moves into new sonic territory with the studio work of Tchad Blake, the producer and engineer internationally known for his work with the likes of Tom Wait, Crowded House, Black Keys and Elvis Costello. On tracks such as Tiny World, Blake has developed Seth's traditional, percussive stomp into something more expansive, warm and intimate, echoing the more personal lyric. Lead single Hearts & Minds sees Seth's unique, compelling brand of indie-folk move further into the kind of harder edged sound sign posted on the Poor Man's Heaven album. A rabble rousing call for people to stand together to face the battles of everyday life in an ever more challenging world, the single is already a favourite in Seth's rhythmic and captivating live shows that continue to garner an ever growing army of followers. Having come to wider public attention following his Mercury nominated Kitty Jay album in 2005, when Seth brought folk music to a new, younger audience, he has been widely credited with breaking down perceptions and barriers often associated with folk music and its acceptance (or lack of it) in the mainstream. Here he returns into a musical landscape he arguably helped to shape, that now encompasses a whole new breed of folk-inspired acoustic artists.

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