Mercury Music Prize nominated folksinger, Sam Lee, has journeyed throughout the British Isles collecting the Indigenous songs of the lands and absorbing the ancient wisdom and knowledge embedded within them. In this episode, Sam shares his personal story of nature connection, and how he became a leader of pilgrimages to the Sussex countryside, where people gather in communion with the Nightingales for an inter-species collaboration of birdsong and music.
In Sam’s We As Nature story he shares:
- How he came to discover the magical realm of the Nightingales and their amazing relationship with humans
- A glimpse into his inner-city childhood and the culture of music he grew up with
- The ways in which Forest School Camps ignited his relationship with the wilderness and introduced him to rituals and folk music
- His fascination with devotional music from diverse communities across the globe, inspired by studying anthropology at Birkbeck and ethnomusicology
- His apprenticeship with Stanley Robertson – the last surviving member of an ancient lineage of Scottish travellers – who shared with Sam his profound repertoire and knowledge of ancient songs
- The extraordinary power of music as a pathway to our re-enchantment with the natural world
- The purpose that has emerged in Sam’s life through learning how to hold your art and share it, and the importance of this being done in diverse communities that are open to all
You can listen below or find this episode on all major podcast platforms including Spotify, Amazon and Apple
About Sam Lee
Sam has spent 15 years re-galvanizing the sight, sound, and ecosystem of folk arts in the UK through his projects and live shows. With 3 critically acclaimed albums, his debut received a Mercury Music Prize nomination. Sam’s also a founding member of Music Declares Emergency, and board member of the Featured Artist Coalition, working to get the UK music industry to Net Zero.
He’s the founder and director of The Nest Collective which amongst many other beautiful offerings, hosts pilgrimages and nature immersions. And last year he published his first book, “The Nightingale, notes on a songbird” which dives deep into some of the rich stories and experiences that he’ll be sharing with us today.
Through music, pilgrimage, and storytelling, Sam has developed intimate connections with The Nightingale, The Turtle Dove, and the Salmon, all of which have shaped his earthly relationships.
You can find out more about Sam’s work and his recent book ‘The Nightingale’ here.
