Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman

BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Duo – 2016 & 2013

Duos come and duos go… And some nurture and fine tune their art and watch it grow into something totally original, captivating and award-winning. Bonded by an unseen alchemy, Kathryn Roberts and Sean Lakeman have entwined their professional and personal relationship into an enviable class act of imaginative songwriting and musicianship.

The Dartmoor-based husband and wife have twice won the coveted Best Duo title at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards (2016 and 2013), consistently delivering assured, distinctive performances whether live or recorded. Over two decades of performance they have never been trapped in a groove – always bold and innovative, mixing traditional song arrangements with (increasingly) their self-penned material which reels from the bitter to the sweet, the wry to the sad, the political to the passive. across folk, rock, country and blues genres.

With ‘Personae’, Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman present their landmark fifth studio album. It is an eclectic emotional see-saw of a journey, melding ten tracks of traditional ballads and their own self-penned versatile material. Once again Roberts & Lakeman have created an album by turns curious, thought-provoking, moving and magical – a complete cornucopia astutely delivered by one of the most intriguing, uninhibited and popular duos on the British folk scene. Most definitely not ‘personae non gratae’.

“It’s folk music for the modern age.” – The Telegraph – London

‘These guys are something very special’ – Acoustic Magazine

Reviews for Latest Album ‘Personae’

“They have reached a peak with ‘Personae’, a fine and accessible album built on firm foundations of skilful songwriting, world-class arrangements and performances.” – Folk Radio UK

“Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman exude class-Kathryn’s dramatic piano & haunting vocals supported by Sean’s skilful guitars & deft production -this is another excellent album from a duo right at the top of their game” * * * * – Rock n Reel

“Another exquisite collection from the twice winners of the Folk Awards Best Duo and one which could easily see them lining up to bag a hat trick” – Louder Than War

“One of the very best folk duos (of any era) ; This album is their career best” – Newcastle Chronicle

“While they continue to produce albums of this stature, Kathryn and Sean need have no fear of losing their reputation as one of the most assured & entertaining duos on the folk scene” – fRoots