Star Q&A: Folk favourite, Seth Lakeman

Folk favourite Seth Lakeman celebrates 20 years of Freedom Fields with a special anniversary tour visiting Newbury and Farnham this autumn.

Q. What’s your first memory of music?

My first memory of live music was at home, catching my mum and dad in the kitchen playing and singing.

Q. Freedom Fields turns 20 this year. How does it feel revisiting an album that meant so much to your career?

It’s a strange thing to look at. It feels such a long time ago now, but it’s a great chance to celebrate the stories and songs from that period.

Q. When you play these songs now, do they feel like snapshots of a younger you or something that’s evolved over time?

I do feel like I was a different songwriter back then. I was keen to follow a narrative most of the time within those early albums.

Q. Are there songs from the album that have taken on new meaning for you over the years?

“1643”, the title song of Freedom Fields, has really become a powerful song that represents the people of Plymouth then and now, and how they fought back the Royalists during the Civil War.

Q. You’re performing the album in full. How different is that experience compared to a typical setlist?

It’s always lovely to follow a setlist like this because it’s an album that was carefully chosen for its flow of songs, its light and shade. It really was made to be a continuous collection of songs, so a tour like this works well.

Q. What can audiences expect from the live shows this time around?

We’ve extended lots of these songs and the musicians are absolutely astounding. It’s a fabulous ensemble of players, mostly from the original recordings 20 years ago.

Q. Your music is so deeply rooted in West Country folklore. What continues to draw you to those stories?

I really feel strongly connected to Dartmoor and the surrounding area. It’s a constant source of inspiration, even now with the latest release, Granite Way.

Q. You were nominated for the Mercury Prize early on. Did that change your trajectory or expectations?

It certainly changed the way I could move forward. It opened lots of doors for me and gave me a chance to continue working with the band I was with.

Q. Working with your brother Sean Lakeman has been a big part of your sound. What makes that partnership work?

It was a brilliant partnership that started way back when we were younger. Freedom Fields and Kitty Jay were a very special time musically for both of us.

Q. Has your creative process changed much over the years?

I’ve pushed the boundaries into other genres. I’ve always been keen to explore different directions and I think it keeps things fresh.

Q. How do you take good care of your mental health?

I love to explore and walk around Dartmoor. It’s become a place to unwind and also inspire on so many different levels.

Q. Which musician has been the biggest influence on you?

It’s always hard to say one person. My dad was always a huge influence, but other people like Robert Plant, Ethan Johns and Tom McConville, my violin mentor, have all had a big impact.

Q. Who was your hero as a boy? How about now?

As a violinist, it was always Stéphane Grappelli. I went to see him at the Great Hall in Exeter and it really changed the way I looked at music afterwards. He was the most incredibly gifted musician.

Q. Finally, if you could make one wish for the world, what would it be?

A wish that the world would find peace.

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