Jerwood Foundation is supporting the Artist Mentoring Programme at Sound Roots, through its award of a total grant of £20,000 over the next two years. Sound Roots supports English folk and grassroots music careers, offering pathways into music so that talented musicians can thrive and prosper. Their Artist Mentoring Programme is the UK’s premiere route for emerging folk and grassroots artists, whose graduates include Katherine Priddy, Dominie Hooper, George Boomsma, Maddie Morris and Lady Nade.
Over the next two years, this funding will enable Sound Roots to provide vital mentoring and performance opportunities for eight promising folk, roots, and acoustic musicians. Launched in 2018, the Artist Mentoring Programme equips emerging artists with the skills, networks and experience needed to build sustainable music careers.
During each of the 12-month intensive programmes, four early-career artists will receive tailored guidance on navigating the music industry while performing at major festivals, including FOCUS Wales, FolkEast and Manchester Folk Festival. By the end of the pathway, participants will have gained a comprehensive understanding of the industry’s roles and responsibilities, established valuable networks and developed a clear strategic plan for the next stage of their careers.
Lara Wardle, Executive Director and Trustee, Jerwood Foundation said:
I am delighted that the Foundation is offering this support to Sounds Roots, based in Greater Manchester. Their Artist Mentoring Programme will enable vital mentoring and performance opportunities for eight promising folk and grassroots musicians and this funding highlights Jerwood’s ongoing commitment to support excellence in the arts in the UK.
David Agnew, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Sound Roots said:
The Artist Mentoring Programme is an incredible project with brilliant impacts for artists ready to take the next step in building networks, developing their careers and reaching new and international markets. We’re immensely grateful to Jerwood Foundation for allowing us to deliver the Artist Mentoring Programme and cannot wait to get started.
Over the past decade, Sound Roots' initiatives have nurtured many of today’s leading folk musicians and the charity is proud to announce its promising new cohort of mentees for 2025/2026:
Lucy Grubb - Norfolk-based singer-songwriter Lucy Grubb has been making waves in the British Americana scene since her 2017 debut EP, named ‘Best UK EP of the Year’ by Belles & Gals. She has won fans at Glastonbury, Latitude, Cambridge Folk Festival, Black Deer Festival, Country 2 Country and more.
Filkin’s Drift - The music of Filkin’s Drift captures the essence of their 870-mile walk, ‘weaving together a tapestry of shared experiences’ (Songlines). Their compositions, rooted in tradition, blend fiddle and guitar with ‘gorgeous close vocal harmonies’ (Folk Radio UK), ranging from delicate Welsh folk songs to traditional English dance tunes.
Anna McLuckie - Edinburgh-born nu-folk singer and Clàrsach player Anna McLuckie, described as having ‘a voice like birdsong’ (Bella Caledonia), studied Jazz and Classical music from an early age. She grew up around a piano learning song from both the Scottish trad world as well as The Great American Songbook.
Ed Blunt - Hailed by Rolling Stone for his ‘astonishing mastery of his craft’, Ed Blunt is a multi-instrumentalist storyteller whose songs will both make you laugh and gently break your heart. Featured on BBC Radio and playlisted in all 620 Caffè Nero branches, Ed’s songs weave folk, jazz and roots with a dry Randy Newman-esque humour.
For further information please visit Sound Roots.
February 14, 2025
