Folk Music Bands to Watch in 2012
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With so many talented folk music bands out there, it’s hard to keep track of them all. Here are five up-and-coming folk music bands to watch in 2012.
She & Him
Who are they?
She & Him is a musical duo consisting of singer-songwriter Zooey Deschanel and folk musician M. Ward. They formed in 2006, and have released three studio albums and one holiday album. Their first album, Volume One, was released in 2008 and their second album, Volume Two, was released in 2010.
Deschanel is also an actress, known for her roles in films such as Elf (2003), The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (2005), Bridge to Terabithia (2007), 500 Days of Summer (2009), Yes Man (2008), and Our Idiot Brother (2011). She has also appeared in television shows such as Bones (2005-2017) and New Girl (2011-2018).
Ward is a singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer. He has released eight solo studio albums since 2001. He has also collaborated with a number of other artists, including Jenny Lewis, Neko Case, and Conor Oberst.
What type of music do they play?
Though their name might make them sound like a cutesy act, She & Him is Indie Folk duo comprised of M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel. The pair met in 2006 when Deschanel was cast in a movie that Ward was scoring. They hit it off and decided to record an album together, Volume One, which they released in 2008 on Merge Records.
The pair’s sound has been compared to that of Jenny Lewis, Jonathan Richman, and Simon & Garfunkel. Their music has been described as “twee pop” and “sun-kissed California folk-rock.”
Why are they worth watching?
With a new album on the way in 2012, “Volume 3”, She & Him are definitely a band to watch this year. The musical duo, made up of M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel, are known for their catchy songwriting and unique blended sound of indie folk and classic pop.
What sets them apart from other bands is their creative use of both traditional and modern instrumentation. Whether it’s banjo, accordion, or even celeste, they always manage to find new ways to incorporate these instruments into their music in interesting and unexpected ways. They also have a great sense of melody, which shines through in both their uptempo songs and slower ballads.
So if you’re looking for a fresh new sound in folk music, be sure to check out She & Him in 2012!
The Civil Wars
Hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, The Civil Wars are a duo made up of Joy Williams and John Paul White. They met in 2008 at a songwriting workshop and the magic was immediate. Their voices blend together so well that it’s hard to believe they’re not related. The Civil Wars have a sound that is all their own and is perfect for fans of Gillian Welch, Emmylou Harris, and Fleet Foxes.
Who are they?
The Civil Wars is an Americana duo consisting of singer-songwriters Joy Williams and John Paul White. The duo met at a songwriting retreat in 2008 and began collaborating on a number of songs. In 2009, they released an EP called “live in Louisiana.” The EP caught the attention of music producer Rick Rubin, who helped them produce their self-titled debut album, which was released in 2013.
The album was a commercial and critical success, winning the Grammy Award for Best Folk Album. The duo’s follow-up album, “The Barton Hollow,” was released in 2014. It was also a success, but shortly after its release, the duo announced that they were disbanding.
Despite their short career, The Civil Wars left a lasting impression on the Americana music scene. Their music is characterized by its simple instrumentation and harmonies.
What type of music do they play?
The Civil Wars is an American musical duo composed of Joy Williams and John Paul White. Their musical style has been variously described as roots music, alternative country, indie folk, and lying somewhere between Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton.
Why are they worth watching?
Formed in 2008 by John Paul White and Joy Williams, The Civil Wars are a folk duo based in Nashville. They released their first album in 2009, and won a Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for the song “Barton Hollow” in 2012.
The Civil Wars’ sound has been described as “a blend of country, folk, pop and rock [that] creates a unique sonic experience.” Their harmonies are exceptional, and their songwriting is both personal and relatable. If you’re a fan of folk music, or any kind of music that tells a story, you’ll definitely want to check out The Civil Wars.
Mumford & Sons
Mumford & Sons is a folk rock band from London, England. The group consists of Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett, Winston Marshall, and Ted Dwane. The band’s debut album, Sigh No More, was released in 2009 and peaked at number two on the UK Albums Chart and was nominated for the 2010 Mercury Prize. Their second album, Babel, was released in 2012 and won the 2013 Grammy Award for Album of the Year.
Who are they?
Mumford & Sons are a four-piece English band formed in 2007. The band consists of Marcus Mumford (lead vocals, drums, guitar), Winston Marshall (banjo, backing vocals), Ben Lovett (keyboards, backing vocals), and Ted Dwane (bass guitar). Mumford & Sons have released three studio albums: Sigh No More (2009), Babel (2012), and Delta (2018). The band have also released three live albums: Live at Shepherd’s Bush Empire (2011), The Road to Red Rocks (2011), and Live at Bull Moose TTC Portland, Maine (2019).
The band’s style of music has been described as “folk-influenced indie rock”. One of the defining features of Mumford & Sons’ sound is the use of acoustic instrumentation. This is particularly evident on their first two albums, which were recorded without electric guitars or drums. However, on their third album Delta, the band incorporated more electric instrumentation into their sound.
What type of music do they play?
Mumford & Sons is a folk rock band that formed in London in 2007. The band consists of Marcus Mumford (lead vocals, guitar, drums, mandolin), Winston Marshall (banjo, guitar, keyboards), Ben Lovett (piano, keyboards, drums), and Ted Dwane (bass guitar, double bass, drums). Mumford & Sons has released three studio albums: Sigh No More (2009), Babel (2012), and Delta (2018). The band has also released several EPs and singles.
Why are they worth watching?
Mumford & Sons is a four-piece English band that formed in December 2007. The band consists of Marcus Mumford (lead vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, drums), Country Winston (banjo, keyboards, backing vocals), Ben Lovett (piano, keyboards, backing vocals), and Ted Dwane (bass guitar, double bass, backing vocals). The band’s first album Sign No More was released on October 5th 2009 and reached number 4 in the UK chart. Their second album Babel was released on September 21st 2012 and debut at number 1 on both the UK chart and the US Billboard 200.
The band is known for their distinctive sound which blends elements of folk, rock and bluegrass. They have been nominated for several Grammy Awards and won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year for Babel in 2013.
Mumford & Sons are worth watching because they are one of the most successful folk bands of recent years. Their distinctive sound has won them many fans and their two albums have both been very successful.