Music In Full View

An inspiring and revealing series of documentary films about the music and lives of four folk artists in England airs on Channel 5 during April. Ian Anderson talks to producer Michael Proudfoot and some of the subjects.

Seth Lakeman Photo: Judith Burrows

Eliza Carthy, Seth Lakeman, Kate Rusby and Athena. The three most successful artists – all Mercury Award nominees – to have emerged from the English folk scene in the past decade, and a highly rated newcomer, are all about to hit your TV screens in April. Eliza, a young veteran of the major label recording experience, sums it up in her episode of Channel 5’s imminent My Music series when she chuckles “self-determination rocks!” These four fine films, each a portrait of a young artist who has trodden the independent path, follow in the tradition of that celebrated 1960s Watersons documentary Travelling For A Living. In most cases you find out what makes them tick, what inspires them, how their career works, how they are influenced by their surroundings and their roots.

Narrated by the late John Peel’s son Tom Ravenscroft, these four programmes should not only open up our music to many in the general public, they might just have a more subtle effect. There are those in the folk community, often to be found vociferously parading their prejudices on internet message boards, who illogically resent the success that some of these artists have enjoyed, particularly Lakeman and Rusby. But by revealing these musicians’ true personalities, backgrounds and motivations, the genuine hard work and strong beliefs that have got them where they are, the thought and craft that goes into their music, I defy anybody to not find themselves saying “Actually, I like these people, I understand them”. Hopefully more will be proud that they are the ambassadors for our music in the wider world.

The My Music series was conceived by producer Michael Proudfoot. One of the many things I like about them is that they have tried to work to a close template. You see superbly filmed and recorded performances, breathtaking and evocative landscapes, creativity, the roots and history with which each artist’s music is imbued, their homes and family background, and the ways they have progressed their careers, accompanied by overviews from often well-known supporters and friends. But because they are strong individuals and perhaps because there are three separate directors involved, each programme is entirely different and original, complementing and bouncing off each other.

Seth Lakeman’s film is set against the stark grandeur of Dartmoor, stressing the way that his songs often grow out of local history, legends and hard lives – we visit Kitty Jay’s grave and the Penlee Lifeboat. It depicts the endless work he’s put into gigging, writing, and nowadays trying to function within a wing of a major label whilst keeping control and his individuality intact. You see him in full tilt at a sold-out Shepherd’s Bush Empire and launching his first album at the more unlikely venue of Dartmoor Prison, but also just as comfortable playing in a session at his local pub.