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Time for...Talent (featuring Sam Sweeney)

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Episode notes

In this week's episode Esther & Susie showcase talents even they didn't know they had. And they probably don't. Let's just say, Eminem does NOT need to worry... They discuss talent v success, and if baby is born with it or if it's maybe-learnt. Again, Eminem does not need to worry!

Thankfully someone with a tangible talent is their special guest this week. Namely, musician Sam Sweeney. Sam has been described as 'one of the defining English fiddle players of his generation' (Mark Radcliffe) and this was cemented when he won Musician of the Year at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award in 2015 - his fourth time of being nominated. He is a veteran of folk juggernauts, Bellowhead, former and inaugural Artistic Director of the National Youth Folk Ensemble, a founder member of ground-breaking trio Leveret as well as a passionate and experienced educator. He has collaborated, recorded and performed with The Full English, Eliza Carthy, Martin Carthy, Jon Boden & The Remnant Kings, Fay Hield and Emily Portman as well as creating his own theatre production Made In The Great War. Sam’s first two albums, The Unfinished Violin (Island Records) and Unearth Repeat (Hudson Records) were received with international acclaim. Sam is currently touring his third solo album, Escape That - tour dates.

Sam's chat with the gals is wide-ranging and hugely entertaining. He tells them about joining the biggest folk band in the world aged 18, and how it feels to rock (folk) out at the Royal Albert Hall. He talks about his experiences in movies - Disney's live action 'Little Mermaid', and Richard Curtis's 'About Time'. There are some super questions from our wonderful listeners, and, as an extra treat, Sam performs live on the podcast! LTO's first live musical performance and it is magical. (Sam is available to tour when you need him, Arcade Fire - just putting that out into the universe!)

With sketches, live music, surprising rapping and a joyful interview, this is an episode to savour. We hope you enjoy it!