Jade's Music Blog

Now the man who has, if you believe the hype, made folk sexy says he’s looking forward to playing Liverpool next week.
“There’s a strong folk and acoustic scene in Liverpool, so yes, I’m really looking forward to the gig,� he smiles, looking more boyband than folk hero.
“I don’t know if it’s something to do with being a port, or having close links with Ireland, or maybe just people are interesting in different types of music, but it’s always great to play. Plus, you have great places to drink.�
Will you be hitting the city’s bars and clubs?
“No, give me an old man’s pub any day ¬- I’m a country boy, laughs Seth (even the name sounds reassuringly rural). “I grew up in little pubs, surrounded by farmers drinking cider. When I’m home I still go and drink with all the old boys. Last night I was the only one in there under 60.
“So when I’m in Liverpool I’m planning on finding a nice quiet old pub and watching the world go by with a pint in my hand.�
Seth turned 30 this year, and he’s been turning heads as the youngest face on the folk scene. But then he had a headstart – his parents are both talented musicians and he grew up in the family folk club in Plymouth.
“They used to bring musicians into the house so me and my two brothers started playing music at a really early age - I guess I started playing the fiddle when I was about five.�
The Lakeman clan – mum, dad and three sons - formed a band and began playing around the country.
“Our first gig as a family band was on Saturday Superstore with Keith Chegwin,� he laughs.
The family still make music together. Seth’s brother Sean plays in his band, and produced the Mercury nominated Kitty Jay. The low-tech but heartfelt album was recorded over three weeks in his Sean's cottage.
“It cost £300 to make because we only had to pay for tape costs,� explains Seth. “We just made it his kitchen but we had to work between school hours because Sean lives right next to one and we also had to turn the fridge off and loads of other things that would intrude into the music.�
The music is inspired by folk tales from their native Dartmoor, and is alive with raucous fiddle, tenor guitar and the raw emotion of Seth's voice. Before the Mercury nomination, it had sold 500 copies.
But Seth was far from a token folk artist in the list of nominees. He had already built up a strong fan-base for his subtle blend of acoustic styles and songs of myths, legends and stories of old.
Kitty Jay, the title track, tells of the legend of a servant girl who got pregnant and hanged herself in a barn.
"Folk is the people's music," says Seth. "The number of folk music festivals seems to grow every year. Cambridge is the biggest - I think 15,000 go to it - but there are so many others that are attended by 3,000 or 4,000 people."
Seth Lakeman plays Carling Academy on Thursday October 4. For more information see www.myspace.com/sethlakeman.