How could anyone forget Sam Lee’s ‘Ground of its Own’ released in 2012 which garnered praise from all corners as well as three BBC Radio 2 Folk Award and Mercury Music Prize nominations and fRoots Magazine Album of the Year.
Ahead of the release of his much anticipated second album this October, Sam Lee and Friends release a taster 4-track EP in May, ‘More For To Rise’. These striking tracks have been developed from songs collected by Sam Lee from diverse parts of the Gypsy and Traveller community. ‘More For To Rise’ was recorded at Imogen Heap’s studio and produced by Penguin Café’s Arthur Jeffes.
Our Song of the Day is from the new EP: Phoenix Island – This haunting song comes from the Delaney Family who live in the less than bucolic Traveller site under the Shepherds Bush A40 flyover. It’s a song that Sam has recorded several times but only ever from Irish Travellers and one he believes speaks of the fight, as he puts it “for cultural survival when society around is forcing you to resign your way of life”.
Brimming with characteristic colour and sumptuous instrumentals, ‘More For To Rise’ will be released on 12th May and supports a series of dates around the UK including London’s Queen Elizabeth Halls, Southbank, on 29th May.
SAM LEE & FRIENDS – LIVE DATES – MAY 2014
2nd – Shoreham – The Ropetackle Arts Centre
7th – Pontardawe – Arts Centre
8th – Cardiff – St David’s Hall
9th – Oxford – St John The Evangelist Church
14th – Clitheroe – The Grand
15th – Gateshead – The Sage Gateshead
16th – Gilcrux – Village Hall
18th – York – National Centre for Early Music
22nd – Manchester – Band On The Wall
24th – Hebden Bridge – Trades Club
25th – Castle Douglas – Knockengorroch World Ceilidh
27th – Hay on Wye – Hay Festival
29th – London – Queen Elizabeth Hall
31st – Bridport – Electric Palace
Pre-Order More For To Rise via: Amazon | iTunes | Propermusic
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