Sean Lakeman

Sean Lakeman

Sean Lakeman is an English folk musician and record producer, born in 1974. He plays guitar and works in folk and folk-rock as a performer, co-writer and producer.

Early life and family music

Lakeman starts playing guitar at the age of six. He performs in family settings with his parents, Geoff and Joy Lakeman, and with his brothers. He also appears as one quarter of the BBC Radio 2 Young Tradition Band, alongside Catriona MacDonald, Luke Daniels and Simon Thoumire.

Bands and collaborations

In his early career, Lakeman performs on the UK folk club circuit with folk fiddler Tom McConville. From the early 1990s he plays with his brothers Seth Lakeman, on fiddle, and Sam Lakeman, on piano and keyboards, in The Lakeman Brothers. In 1995, the brothers form Equation with singers Kathryn Roberts and Kate Rusby. After Equation splits in 1996, he co-founds the duo Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman with Kathryn Roberts, who is also his spouse. He also records with Kathryn Roberts in that duo, and his band memberships include Equation, Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman and The Lakeman Brothers.

Producing and session work

As a producer, Lakeman works with a range of British folk and folk-rock artists. His production credits include two highly regarded albums by the Levellers, albums by his brother Seth Lakeman, and recordings by Bellowhead, Frank Turner, Billy Bragg, Imelda May, The Willows, Carus Thompson, Show of Hands, Mad Dog Macrea, The Long Hill Ramblers and Rev Hammer. He also appears as a session guitarist on albums by Cara Dillon and Caroline Herring.

Awards

With Kathryn Roberts, Lakeman is voted Best Duo at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in 2013 and again in 2016.