Personae - (Plural Noun): "The aspect of a character that is presented to or perceived by others"
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.
Personae, their landmark fifth studio album 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'.
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.
A deft acoustic and electric guitarist and slick producer, Lakeman's feted skills are matched by the exquisite voice and fluid piano and woodwind of Barnsley-born Roberts. Lakeman sibling Seth lends subtle fiddle along with the energetic guest vocals of Sam Kelly who features on the album's dramatic opening track 'The Knight's Ghost'.
'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
April 2018
