Folk music bands modern are an eclectic blend of traditional and newer styles. They typically utilize acoustic instruments with simple chord structures and draw inspiration from national culture and traditions.
Folk music exploded onto the mainstream stage during the 1960s with singer-songwriters like Phil Ochs and Bob Dylan playing electric instruments and drums; this trend continued with artists like Simon & Garfunkel, the Mamas & Papas, etc.
Bon Iver
Bon Iver first made its mark on music with For Emma, Forever Ago in 2007 as one of the pinnacles of indie folk. Recorded at a Wisconsin cabin as an emotional release after Justin Vernon experienced heartbreak from a relationship, the record showcases a rare sense of depth through intricately constructed harmonies and forested landscape imagery. Bon Iver continued developing their unique sound on their 2011 self-titled release by creating songs such as “Skinny Love” or the orchestral beauty of “8 (circle). Bon Iver has left an indelirium within modern folk music that can only be felt through listening.
Bon Iver has left an indelible mark upon their legacy, with artists like Joanna Newsom and Animal Collective continuing their legacy in music using both acoustic instruments as well as adding electronica, jazz and even autotune influences into their soundscapes. Lianne La Havas is another contemporary artist who has taken to folk music, but her ability to utilize an acoustic guitar to manipulate her voice sets her apart as a singer/songwriter. Let England Shake by PJ Harvey is another powerful album that successfully blends elements of indie folk with other genres to form an impressive and moving album. This record showcases how flexible modern folk music can be and may inspire more musicians to explore this genre further.
Lianne La Havas
Folk music is an eclectic style with influences spanning country music, bluegrass, jazz, and gospel all coming together in its composition. Folk musicians frequently incorporate religious themes into their performances and cover spiritually inspired songs; examples such as Dan Hicks and Iris DeMent can be seen. Additionally, various folk singers who perform Gospel can also be found within this genre such as Noel Stookey and Barry McGuire.
British artist Lianne La Havas stands as an exemplar of folk music tradition. Her previous LP, Blood, received critical and commercial acclaim but ultimately wasn’t representative of who she truly is as an individual. For her sophomore effort A Moment of Stillness she assembled her inner circle to compose what can only be classified as folk-sounding yet features soul elements combined with acoustic guitar playing that make this album stand out among its contemporaries on the market today.
She employs electronic elements and does not rely on traditional instrumentation to create her soundscape, yet still features an upbeat atmosphere. Her vocal talent, often compared to that of Amy Winehouse or Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, stands out. Additionally, she covers many popular folk songs while giving each track her own twist; for instance she transforms 1920’s jazz classic “Water Boy” into a folk/blues track complete with vocal roars!
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros is an indie band with deep folk traditions. Their music captures the communal feel of traditional American folk music with handpicked instruments, improvisational play, melodic vocals that weave in and out of harmony and vocal melodies that create an exquisite, timeless sound that is hard to define but deeply appealing.
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros’ 13-member ensemble inhabits a converted school bus they use as their touring van, creating a sense of community with their wide, back porch acoustics and their music that brings hope, positivity, and sometimes political activism into each song they perform, creating universal appeal through authentic artists’ pieces.
From their inaugural track Home on their debut album to their latest LP 0 to 100 in 12 Seconds, The Zeroes have flourished as an ensemble and developed a distinct folk sound characterized by lead singer Alexander Ebert’s flower child flair and their distinctive folk sound.
PersonA, their latest collaborative album with composer/producer Brian Eno, was recorded entirely within one room at Ojai Studios’ Ed Shed studio in California – so as not to stifle their natural energy by adhering to strict production guidelines that ensured an exciting listening experience.
Of Monsters & Men
The band fuses traditional Icelandic folk melodies with elements of African and Latin American music for an eclectic sound that is both fresh and timeless. Their cross-cultural influences have played an instrumental role in their progression as musicians; and collaborations with other artists has opened many new opportunities.
Their music-making process embodies organic elements, with lyrics reflecting this natural aesthetic and storytelling techniques that leave listeners feeling inspired and refreshed. Their distinctive approach has earned them recognition within folk music circles, where their songs often evoking positive feelings or leaving listeners feeling renewed.
If you want to learn more about the band, give their single “Little Talks” a listen – its atmospheric qualities demonstrate just how effective their music can be at connecting with audiences on a profound level.
Icelandic heritage and connection to nature can be heard throughout their music, as their songs often allude to landscapes or ancient rituals. Their genre-bending style, connection with nature and folklore, captivating live performances, and genre-crossing appeal have contributed to their success; discover it for yourself by exploring their discography, attending a concert, or connecting with fellow fans through online communities – you might just discover its depth!
Mipso
Mipso may occupy a humble corner of indie Americana music, but their sound is anything but subdued. Since debuting with Dark Holler Pop in 2013, Chapel Hill-based Mipso has delighted audiences with their stunning vocal harmonies and effortless command of classic North Carolina musical traditions.
Book of Fools marks a return to the band’s roots. Produced by Sandro Perri (of Great Lake Swimmers), the album feels both comfortable and strange; its songs boasting hand-me-down melodies as well as odd sounds and unanswered questions.
Mipso was established at the University of North Carolina as a musical outlet between classes, but has quickly grown beyond this initial purpose. Joseph Terrell, an established singer/guitarist whose family play banjo and guitar respectively, became intrigued with string band music through Joseph Sharp (mandolin / first rate harmony playing and Doc Watson/Avett Brothers influences); Jacob Sharp added to this quartet with Wood Robinson adding an upright bass line with Charlie Haden-inspired jazz and bluegrass sensibilities for completeness.
At times, this band’s sixth studio album may have been their most ambitious work yet; however, its search for identity (both geographically and musically) cannot have been any more authentic or moving.
Chlopcy Kontra Basia
Polish band Chlopcy Kontra Basia are an intoxicating blend of double bass and clarinet music that creates original folk tales with voice and percussion. Basia Derlak brings classical training and folk influences from her classical studies while Marcin and Tomasz provide jazz influence – with Oj Tak! opening their debut album irresistibly surreal music as the lead track.
Sondorgo from Hungary are proud to represent their rich musical history through a tambura-like instrument with roots in South Slav (Serbian and Croatian). Led by brothers Eredics, their blend of respect for tradition with electrifying virtuosity makes for an exciting musical performance.
Lhasa de Say-la was an African-Canadian singer renowned for her performances both locally in Montreal, and abroad. One of her biggest fans was Icelandic producer Tomas R. Einarsson who gave Lhasa’s song Rumdrum an iconic rendition.
Mali-based band Oumar Konate also celebrated tradition while pushing musical boundaries, performing an a cappella rendition of Ah-do which left audiences speechless. Kries is Croatian for “bonfire”, an apt title for this group who truly make their mark; featuring English circus performer Faith and Serbian gypsy violin maestro Branko’s musical partnership, an alchemy between modern and traditional instruments which transitions effortlessly between contemporary to classical violin vernacular via their signature tune “Bumbar”.