Sam Lee
(he/hymn)
Sam is a folksinger, song collector, activist, nature conservationist, guide, and presenter. With three critically acclaimed albums - his debut receiving a Mercury Music Prize nomination - he works holistically in challenging the sound and purpose of our indigenous music in the 21st Century.
In 2024, Sam will be presenting songs from his new album, ‘songdreaming', a suit of love songs from and for the land. He is the producer of and lead artist in many projects that marry nature, music, and community. Most notably, in 2019 Sam got Birdsong to #18 in the UK singles charts with the RSPB’s 'Let Nature Sing' track, and he’s the creator of the sell-out Singing With Nightingales series. It was this success that gave rise to Sam’s debut book, ‘The Nightingale’ published by Penguin in 2021.
Sam works regularly with the environmental sector to devise and lead campaigns and projects highlighting the climate and ecological crisis globally, as well as at home. His practice focuses on finding ways of leading people into a deeper and more sensitive connection to nature and communicating the treasures on our doorsteps through song and storytelling, as well as immersive experiences, pilgrimages, and nature guiding.
Why I'm involved
“SWN has become more than just a way to bring people into the woods in pursuit of awe and wonder. It has become a campaign to reveal a deeper sense of responsibility and incite as persuasively as possible the need for change.”
Favourite Nightingale Experience
“It would be unfair to single out an individual night or moment. But I love it so much throughout the year when I meet people who have come and they share how the experience has impacted them. The stories I receive are often mind-blowing and so incredible, reminding me why I do this work (is it really work?)”