Sam Lee

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, his work has consistently challenged our ideas of what traditional music can be.

Sam’s approach shatters the boundaries between the old and the new, breathing fresh life into timeless songs and inviting us to rediscover their power. His journey began with the groundbreaking debut album Ground Of Its Own in 2012, when he dramatically reworked old songs with a striking blend of traditional and contemporary sounds.

The 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. Following this early success, Sam continued to innovate with releases like The Fade In Time and Old Wow, each further proving his knack for melding heritage with modernity, earning him accolades such as a Songlines Award for Artist of the Year and recognition at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

In March 2024, he elevated his art once again with song dreaming. Name done of Mojo’sTop 10 Folk Albums of 2024 and Best European Album at the 2024 Songlines Music Awards, its enduring appeal is underscored by its steady presence on the Official Folk Albums Chart since its release.

Songlines magazine—probably the leading journal of the global world and folk community—remarked: “We’ve seen Sam Leep