91Èȱ¬

In 21st Century Folk, five people inspire five new folk songs.

This year, the project focuses on coastal life and sea rescues around the UK.

The five fascinating characters get to meet songwriters, who listen to their stories before going away to write a dedicated song. Later, they're reunited for the song's debut performance.

In this programme, Radio 2's Mark Radcliffe hears the in-depth stories behind each song.

This year's 21st Century Folk musicians are: Lady Nade with Boo Hewerdine, Cara Dillon with Sam Lakeman, Martyn Joseph, Kris Drever, and Seth Lakeman with Fisherman's Friends.

Their subjects are Anna, Jeff, Vicky, Emma and Al.

Lifeboat helm Anna Heslop became Cullercoats’ first female helm in the RNLI station’s 170-year history, and also led their first all-female crew. She inspires a song by Bristol singer Lady Nade and fellow songwriter Boo Hewerdine.

Kayaker, yachtsman and former soldier Jeff Allen leads expeditions around the world. He turned to the sea to help him cope with life after the army. The veteran's story inspires a song by Northern Irish singer Cara Dillon and her musical partner Sam Lakeman.

Vicky Murphy was eight months pregnant when she and husband Marc were rescued from a flooding cave in Cornwall. Hammered by waves that threatened to drag them out to sea, the couple believed they would not survive. Thanks to a mystery surfer and two lifeguards, they did. Their story inspires a song by Cardiff troubadour Martyn Joseph, who returns to 21st Century Folk for a second time.

Marine conservationist Emma Neave-Webb lives on the island of Sanday in Orkney, where she works to rescue beached whales affected by changing seas. Her profound change of lifestyle, and experience of rescuing killer whales and pilot whales, inspire a song by Scottish songwriter Kris Drever, whose own family comes from Sanday.

Central London lifeboat crew member Al Kassim volunteers at the UK’s busiest RNLI station: Tower. He signed up after being saved by a lifeboat off Portsmouth. Al's song pays tribute to all brave volunteers and is performed by Dartmoor folk star Seth Lakeman and Cornish shanty sensations Fisherman's Friends.

Videos of the five performances from 21st Century Folk can be found on the 91Èȱ¬ iPlayer and the 91Èȱ¬ Music YouTube channel.

Interviews with all the participants can be heard on Jeremy Vine's Radio 2 show, 12-2pm, Monday 29th July to Friday 2nd August 2024.

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