Singer in line for Mercury prize

Seth Lakeman: Launched album in Dartmoor jail

Devon singer Seth Lakeman's songs about Dartmoor have landed him a surprise nomination for the Mercury prize.

Lakeman, 28, made his CD Kitty Jay for just £300 around the kitchen at his cottage on Dartmoor.

Now it has been nominated alongside huge-selling albums such as Coldplay's X&Y, for the prestigious music award.

The album was inspired by the mystery and legends of Dartmoor where he lives and last year he launched it in front of prisoners at Dartmoor jail.

I didn't think I stood a chance in hell to be chosen Seth Lakeman

Lakeman said: "I'm skint. I spent my last £177 on the entry fee for this award.

"I didn't think I stood a chance in hell to be chosen as one of the best 12 albums out of the thousands produced each year."

Lakeman, one of three professional musician sons of a musical family, has travelled the world with folk-rock group Equation and Irish singer Cara Dillon.

Because the album was inspired by Dartmoor, he decided the jail was the place to launch the CD in scenes reminiscent of the late Johnny Cash, who recorded albums at San Quentin Prison and Folsom Prison.

Jail rapport

Charlie, one of the prisoners at Dartmoor jail and a musician himself, joined Lakeman on stage.

"We really seemed to build a rapport," said Lakeman.

All the old boys in the pubs would mention these stories and it's a great theme to write about Seth Lakeman

Brother Sean produced the album and also plays on it too.

Fans say his music, which is described as gutsy rock and roll, could do for folk what Jamie Cullum has done for the credibility of jazz.

The title track tells of the legend of a servant girl who got pregnant and hanged herself in a barn.

Because suicide victims were never buried in consecrated ground, she was laid to rest at a crossroad near Hound's Tor.

To this day, fresh flowers are mysteriously ever-present on the grave but no-one is ever seen putting them there.

"I've always been interested in the legends and mysteries of Devon and Dartmoor," said Lakeman.

"All the old boys in the pubs would mention these stories and it's a great theme to write about."

Lakeman was nominated for the Mercury alongside another Devon boy, Coldplay's Chris Martin, from Exeter.