Seth Lakeman - 'Poor Man's Heaven' set for release + Glastonbury, tour dates

"New Folk Hero" - The Times

**** Observer Music Monthly

***** Time Out

**** Mojo

Seth Lakeman, the West Country born singer and songwriter credited with bringing folk music to a whole new audience since his 2005 Mercury nominated debut, 'Kitty Jay', is set to release his eagerly anticipated 3rd album, 'Poor Man's Heaven', on Relentless on June 30th, 2008. He will celebrate with a series of In Stores performances and signings for fans during week of release. Dates and locations are listed below.

Seth's third album, (the follow up to 2006's critically acclaimed, gold selling 'Freedom Fields'), perfectly captures the raw, rhythmic energy of his live shows. Produced in large part by Seth's brother and fellow band member, Sean Lakeman, 'Poor Man's Heaven' represents a progression for Seth's sound - while remaining firmly rooted in folk, it moves from a more acoustic-based feel to a fuller, rockier sound, underpinned as ever by emotive lyrics and story telling, this time with a strong coastal theme.

Having taken the leap of signing to a major label off the back his self financed debut, Seth's 2nd album 'Freedom Fields' sold over 100,000 copies following its release in 2006. Since then Lakeman has been branded the 'Poster Boy of Folk' (much to his exasperation), has toured constantly, performing to a heaving mass of 15,000 in the 'New Band Tent' at last year's V Festival as well as on two stages at Glastonbury, and has made significant inroads internationally. On 'Poor Man's Heaven' he continues inexorably to take his own brand of 'indie-folk' to a whole new generation.

Seth also continues to develop the lyrical themes from the traditional West Country inspired story telling of his previous work. The often historical contexts are bought sharply up to date when pivotal track, "Soloman Brown", recounts the real-life story of the ill-fated Penlee lifeboat which perished in 1981 while trying to salvage a shipwrecked Union Star coaster. 16 people died in the failed rescue, and Seth Lakeman's dramatic and powerful take on that night's fateful events, written in the hope of honouring those men and keeping the story alive, is a modern take on the truest tradition of folk music.

The album 'Poor Man's Heaven' is released on 30th June, 2008.

A digital single "Crimson Dawn" will be released on 7th July, 2008.

Seth Lakeman In Store Shows to launch new album:

Dates and times subject to change. Go to Seth Lakeman's Official Website for the latest information.

30th June, 2008

HMV Plymouth New George St - 12.30pm
HMV Exeter High St - 5.30pm

1st July, 2008

Fopp Bristol College Green - 12.30pm
HMV London Oxford Circus - 5.30pm

2nd July, 2008

Zavvi Cardiff - 5.30pm

Seth Lakeman 2008 tour dates:

Dates could be added or changed! Go to Seth's Official Website for the latest tour dates and information.

27 June The Hawth Crawley
28 June Glastonbury Festival Glastonbury
3 July Rock for the People Hradec Kralove
5 July National Forest Folk Festival Ashby de la Zouch
6 July Guilfest Guildford
9 July Frome Festival Frome
11 July Eastleigh Music Festival Eastleigh
12 July Arley Hall Northwich
18 July Brampton Live Brampton
19 July Hebridean Celtic Festival Stornoway
20 July Larmer Tree Festival Salisbury
21 July Verucchio Festival ITALY
27 July Hatfield House Hatfield
2 Aug Morwellham Quay Folk Festival Tavistock
3 Aug Cambridge Folk Festival Cambridge
7 Aug Rip Curl Beach Sessions Newquay
15 Aug Beautiful Days Honiton
16 Aug Langholm Festival Scotland
22 Aug Arundel Castle West Sussex
24 Aug Regents Park Open Air Theatre London
29 Aug Tonder Festival Denamrk
30 Aug Tonder Festival Denamrk
31 Aug Moseley Folk Festival Moseley
14 Sep Bowood House Wiltshire
15 Sep St Ives Festival St Ives

Myspace
Seth Lakeman Official Website

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