Lisa Knapp
Lisa Knapp is a BBC Folk Award-winning singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who is widely acclaimed as one of the most innovative and distinctive voices in contemporary English folk music. Since her breakthrough debut Wild and Undaunted in 2007, Knapp has carved out a singular path, blending traditional folk with experimental textures and an imaginative spirit that continues to captivate audiences.
Described by The Guardian as a voice “both pure and wild, springing free,” Knapp has become known for her fiercely adventurous approach to tradition. Her 2017 album Till April is Dead – A Garland of May (Ear To The Ground Music) is a striking example. Inspired by age-old May Day customs, the album interlaces birdsong, ticking clocks, church bells, and other field recordings with acoustic instruments and traditional folk songs. Mojo hailed it as “ancient tradition with respect and beauty,” while The Guardian called it “overflowing with warmth, light and waywardness.”
In recent years, Lisa contributed the haunting song “Rowan Tree” to the BAFTA-nominated film Living, starring Bill Nighy. In 2023, she released Black Letter Garland as part of the collaborative project Hack-Poets Guild, alongside Marry Waterson and Nathaniel Mann. The album, praised by Tradfolk for its “cinematic and mystical universe,” she continues her exploration of folklore and song as powerful storytelling media.
Knapp has performed extensively across the UK and internationally and is a regular presence on BBC Radio and TV. A passionate educator, she has long tutored the Traditional Song Class at EFDSS (English Folk Dance and Song Society). In 2025, she has returned with a new release, Hinterland, in collaboration with long-time musical partner Gerry Diver. Garnering 5***** reviews in The Observer, Songlines and Spiral Earth.
