Seth Lakeman talks album.next with John Williamson
January 24, 2009
Catching up on some bits on pieces from December which I didn’t get round to posting at the time, here’s a really good, original interview which talks in some depth about the EMI experience, musical control and, most intriguingly, Seth’s thoughts on the direction for the next album.
Well worth a read, regardless of your obSethion level.
On Kitty Jay
“In many ways the style and sound had a lot to do with my own naivety at the time, but when I came upon something that was very rhythmic and riff driven, I knew that it was the sound I had been looking for.”
On signing for EMI, musical control and going mainstream (or not)
“EMI bought into the business and that took away a lot of the administrative and organisational burdens that we had … Of course, it is hard to let go of something that you feel is your baby – but once you reach a certain level it becomes too big to physically retain control every aspect of what you do. So the compromise, if there was any, that I made was to make sure I retained complete control over the music while in most other areas I am kind of flowing as I go.”
…
“What I do is quite unique, which makes it quite difficult for people to interfere … the music is always going to have a rhythmic, quirky element which is always a bit alien to being massively popular.”
And finally, teasing hints about the direction for the next album:
Listening to him describe his music and its direction highlights the crossroads at which his career stands. On the one hand he has successfully defined a sound that he is happy to continue to work within, on the other, he talks of expanding the scope of it by engaging a third party producer…
There are contradictions too: at various points he suggests both that he would like to go back to the naïve approach of ‘Kitty Jay,’ at others he suggests that album number five may be the time to engage a producer of some reputation.
“I’d love to work with someone like Tchad Blake or Brad Jones, maybe even someone like John Leckie, who would probably strip everything right back. It would be great to work with a real guru like that at some stage. I think so far the records have moved from a very naïve sound to one that is much closer to the live sound, maybe there is another step to take.”
Other interviews, however, have suggested the most likely next release will be a live album.
“We are definitely going to do a live record next year,” says Lakeman. “People have been calling out for one for a number of years.” – Interview with Brighton Argus, 14 Nov 2008
So don’t go holding your breadth for a new studio release just yet!
Full Interview: ‘Seth Lakeman’, interview for The Herald by John Williamson, 8 Dec 2008 »
Pre-Heb Celt interview with Highland News
July 17, 2008
A short interview with Highland News in advance of Seth’s appearance at the Heb Celt festival in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, on Saturday discusses chart success, the influence of playing live on the new album, and the possibilities for making it big in the Carribean.
Chart success “not down to radio”
Poor Man’s Heaven’s chart success “wasn’t expected”, he says, and is “definitely not down to that marketing machine, radio”. Largely shunned my mainstream playlists, although Crimson Dawn has popped up on Radio 2 a bit, he credits instead the hard work the band has put in over the last couple of years, playing an estimated 250 gigs a year according to other interviews.
“we’ve done so many gigs. And I think that’s why people have gone out to buy it, they’ve either seen us play or have been told about it.”
…
“The pressure’s on now for the next album! we will probably release a live recording first because we have never done that before.”
More tidbits in the full interview.
Full interview: ‘Charting top 10 is number one for Seth’, Margaret Chrystall, Highland News, 17 Jul 2008 »
Interview in The Sun, 11 July 2008
July 12, 2008
“No. 8? I’m speechless… I’m just behind Amy Winehouse”
The Sun interviews Seth on Poor Man’s Heaven hitting the album charts, and gives the album 4½ out of 5 stars:
Sandwiched between two of the world’s best-selling pop divas — Rihanna and Amy Winehouse — is the West Country’s own Seth Lakeman.
It marks an incredible rise for a singer/fiddle player on a mission to bring folk music to the masses without compromising his style.
…
Were you aware of sounding a bit like Led Zep’s acoustic stuff?
“People have said it but we weren’t conscious of it in any way. I think it’s just the way I write as a musician and a songwriter. I’m rhythm-led and the inspirations come from traditional music as well as stuff like house music. ”
…
“I was slightly concerned about how people might react to it because it’s quite different from the last record. It was a brave move but I think it worked and the live audience is really enjoying it.”
…
What’s it like working with your brother Sean who produces and plays?
“You have a certain relationship about how things should sound. When it does work, it’s very exciting. You get a spark out of nowhere. It can also be a problem working with your brother! (laughs). We clash sometimes because we work so closely together. Not surprising, is it? It’s all for the greater good though.”
Full interview:“No. 8? I’m speechless… I’m just behind Amy Winehouse”, Simon Cosyns, The Sun, 11 July 2008 »
Western Approaches available as digital download
July 10, 2008
Seth’s 2004 collaboration with Steve Knightley and Jenna Witts has been quietly re-released by Hands on Music as a download from Tesco Digital.
This is a true collaboration, with each artist singing both their own and each other’s songs. Knightley sings ‘Ballad of Josie’ from Kitty Jay while Jenna takes Punch Bowl’s ‘Image of Love’. Seth returns the favour on Knightley’s ‘The Keeper’. The album also features the rare Seth track ‘Captain’s Court’, otherwise only available as a B-side to the ‘Lady of the Sea’ single release, and a rousing version of ‘Mariners’.
Folk/acoustic specialists Fish Records described the original CD release as “deceptively simple, the overall sound is rich thanks to some wonderful arrangements and excellent production. Highly recommended.” FolkMusic.net gives more background.
Buy Western Approaches from Tesco Digital »- Fish Records review of Western Approaches »
- Review of Western Approaches at FolkMusic.net »
Not just for completists.
(With thanks to Clarros (via the longdogs) for the link, and other related generosities I won’t mention in case I get us both into trouble.)
Update: sorry, Western Approaches no longer seems to be available via Tesco Digital. If it reappears I’ll let you know.
Holy Wow!
July 7, 2008
“Well, what a weekend…Nadal beat Federer, Lewis took the British GP and we stormed into the UK album charts at number 8!!!
This only happened because good people like you made the effort and bought Poor Man’s Heaven.
I cannot thank you all enough and would like to take the opportunity to express my sincere gratitude in what you have all helped me achieve.
All the best
Seth
Poor Man’s Heaven charts at number 8, the highest new entry in this week’s Official UK Album Chart.
(from bbc.co.uk/radio1/chart/albums.shtml)
According to the Plymouth Herald 13,000 copies have been sold since its release last Monday. Seth ‘overjoyed’ as new album clinches top ten chart position, Plymouth Herald, 7 July 2008 »
In-store Performances and Album Signings Roundup
July 3, 2008
Seth has been a busy bunny, with a bunch of in-store performances and album signings starting in Plymouth on Monday, then heading for Bristol and the Capitol on Tuesday before rounding it all off in Cardiff tonight before hopping on a plane for the Rock for People festival in Prague.
Write ups, fan photos, much “yay”ing on the Mire »
Fopp in Bristol, 1 July 2008
Write up of the in-store performance and album signing at Fopp in Bristol-
‘Seth Lakeman’s showdown in the city’, Spiral Earth, 2 July 2008 »
HMV London, 1 July 2008
(Fan footage of Solomon Browne performed live at HMV London, 1 July 2008)
The GetCloser website (registration required) has the full quality video filmed by the cameraman you can see in-shot above, plus a dedicated page for the signings where you can upload your own photos and reviews. Watch his stunning solo performances of Lady of the Sea, Solomon Browne and The Hurlers at HMV London and hear his answers to questions posed by the fans queuing to meet him. Some great stuff that’s well worth the minute it’ll take you to register.
Seth declares himself “absolutely speechless” at the news Poor Man’s Heaven is at number six in the mid-week album charts. Last Wednesday at Perranporth he begged the audience to go buy the album to get it in the top 100 and told The Plymouth Herald that “if it went top twenty, we [would] be getting the champagne out”. So news it’s hit the top 10 and looks likely to stay there has him “completely bowled over”
“It means we’re up there with the Ting Tings and Duffy; this is a folk record for goodness’ sake! … the album should be sure to stay in the top ten, and with all the promo may even stand a chance of going higher.”
Not bought the album yet? What are you waiting for?! Let’s get folk in the top ten this weekend!
‘Chart news is music to Seth’s ears’, This is Plymouth, 2 July 2008 »
Interviews: Plymouth Herald and Western Morning News
July 2, 2008
Quick catch-up on a couple of local interviews, both of which dig out some nice background on the Poor Man’s Heaven album and its musical and lyrical approach.
Plymouth Herald / What’s on South West, 27 June 2008
Some good background on a bunch of the tracks. Audio of the interview is available at the bottom of the page. ‘AUDIO: Seth Lakeman talks Poor Man’s Heaven’. What’s on South West / Plymouth Herald, 27 June 2008 »
Western Morning News, 20 June 2008
“The way I’ve written [Solomon Browne] is just a narrative of what happened, and not necessarily playing on emotions because it’s still in people’s hearts”. ‘Folk Icon Nurtures Hard-Edged Sound’, Western Morning News, 20 June 2008 »
Sssshhh! Don’t jinx it!
July 1, 2008
Number 6 in the midweek album chart according to The Man Himself. Keep it under your hat.
Added 4 July 2008: Article and interview in the Telegraph from the album launch which is so good it gets its own post
Plus photos and gig write-ups on The Mire »
And a short write and interview from the Western Morning News (27 June 2008) »
On the new album: “It is a heavyweight record, but it would be great to chart it. That would be brilliant. We think it will. … A high position would be great for folk music, for down here (the Westcountry) it would be amazing. If it went top twenty, we will be getting the champagne out.”
In-store Album Signings
June 30, 2008
Get your copy signed and listen to a couple of trademark live ‘n’ alone performances at:
Mon 30th June
HMV Plymouth, New George St – 12.30pm
HMV Exeter, High St – 5.30pm
Tues 1st July
Fopp Bristol, College Green – 12.30pm
HMV London, Oxford Circus – 5.30pm
Wednesday 2nd July
Zavvi, Cardiff – 5.30pm
Poor Man’s Heaven Album Review Roundup
June 30, 2008
Updated 4 July 2008 with review from the Manchester Evening News.
With the album release just days away hitting the shops this morning the reviews are coming thick and fast. Most reviewers who can avail themselves of a simplistic star rating seem to be plumping for a 3 out of 5. Breaking the mould Mojo magazine gives it a 4 in its July issue, while The Times slates it with just 2 stars in a review which largely misses the point.
Overall there has clearly been much head-scratching as to exactly what kind of music the reviewers are listening to, a defiance of genre which several clearly have trouble getting past, as if a record can only be good when it can be pigeon-holed. Combined with too many lazy stereotypes about arran sweatered, beer drinking, finger-in-the-ear folkies which display a trying, if predictable, ignorance of modern folk music from people who ought to know better, my review of the reviewers could be summed up as: 3 out of 5, must try harder.
Top Reviews: “If you are a fan of Lakeman then everything you love is here in spades”
Spiral Earth, 27 June 2008 in what is unsurprisingly one of the best informed and least cliched reviews, sums it up neatly: “If you are a fan of Lakeman then everything you love is here in spades.”. Though Iain Hazelwood does possibly get a little carried away when he writes that while “Much is being said of it sounding like this or that, more rock, more Led Zep… Actually it only sounds like one thing – Seth Lakeman becoming one of the most important artists in modern British music…” (my emphasis). Full review.
In The Guardian, 27 June 2008 (
) Alexis Petridis comes closest to capturing the reaction of the fans who have availed themselves of the various previews when he says “the album is at its best when it’s at its most raw, when it stops worrying too much about charming those in charge of radio playlists and lets Lakeman’s natural instinct for eeriness shine through.” Full review.
Mojo Magazine, July 2008. () was one of the first to mention the now oft-repeated Led Zep vibe: “Seth Lakeman burns high octane non-stop. On this fourth album his voice is all muscularity and barely contained passions… Beneath a superficial folk-rock jigginess his band has a possibly Led Zeppelin related sense of how acoustic fiddle, guitar and double bass riffs can weigh heavy as metal.”
The Telegraph, 28 June 2008 thumbs its nose at the genre-befuddled head-scratchers: “while Lakeman’s music might cause consternation among those who are troubled by the blurring of musical categories, the wider world will doubtless enjoy it, because this is an album that’s memorably melodic, propulsively rhythmic, and sometimes hair-raisingly dramatic…it’s powerful stuff, with Lakeman’s clear, strong voice narrating a series of sharp and gripping story-songs” Full Review.
The Also Rans: “A ripsnorter of a record”
The Independent, 27 June 2008 () gets it’s cliches in early in a generally positive review: “Lakeman may be only as temporarily beholden to the notoriously purist folk scene as Bob Dylan was in 1965″ (my emphasis). Full review.
In The Times, 27 June 2008 () John Mulvey leaves us wondering if he’s listened to any of the artists in question when he describes Poor Man’s Heaven as “uncomfortably reminiscent of records by David Gray and Damien Rice” Full review.
The Observer, 15 June 2008 describes it as “a ripsnorter of a record that will slake the thirst of crowds roused by a season of his festival performances” and may have a point when it asks whether “after four albums of much the same fayre, our West Country hero might usefully stray into fresh songwriting territory next time, and lose the roll call of cliches which demand that eyes are always burning, nights always dark and dawns crimson.” Full review.
BBC Online, 13 June 2008 – “His song writing continues the gold-yielding formula of its predecessor with energetic strumalongs, voracious fiddles and a sparkling delivery”. Full review.
Q Magazine, Andy Fyfe, July 2008. () “The frantic fiddle remains dominant but guitars and drums crash all around it, Feather in a Storm even adding Jimmy Page-esque slide guitar. Lakeman’s unwelcome mantle of folk’s poster boy is unlikely to slip.”
MusicOMH.com, 27 June 2008 () on the other hand finds it “predictable and polished” … “overly refined” …and “the repetition of literary and musical themes creates a staleness after 11 tracks which makes absorption of the album as a whole rather challenging”. Full review.
Teletext (7/10), 27 June 2008 thinks he is “back on form after the bland and overly commercial Freedom Fields” and “should win back hardcore folk fans”. Much as we love a positive review, it does leave you wondering if they have actually listened to either album. Full review.
Virgin ‘Albums of the Week’ (6/10), 27 June 2008 does rather better: “Lakeman highlights the rhythmic and percussive elements of the folk genre while retaining its strong pastoral spirit”. Full review.
Metro, 29 June 2008() gets little swept along by the album’s dramatic imagery into some flowery language of its own: “wired with the same stirring, ale-sodden acoustica of previous works… this time the sound is larger and more urgent…[and] throb[s] with the animal energy of a live performance.” Full review.
Winning the WTF? prize The Manchester Evening News, 3 July 2008 () clearly have a different take on tales of murder, vengeance and self-sacrifice than most when they find it missing “some of the darkness and dourness which Richard Thompson has always found in that territory between folk and rock.”. Full review »
Poor Man’s Heaven Web Interviews
June 24, 2008
Part I
Part II
Part III
Full Preview of Poor Man’s Heaven Album
June 20, 2008
For one week only you can listen to the whole of the new album, Poor Man’s Heaven, free on the BBC website. The album is released on Mon 30 June 2008.
Go to www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/rxf9/ to grab the tracks. (You’ll need RealPlayer installed.)
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