The Best Canadian Folk Music Bands
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Folk music has been around for centuries and is a genre that is enjoyed by many. There are many great Canadian folk music bands that have been entertaining audiences for years. In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the best Canadian folk music bands.
The best Canadian folk music bands – an overview
There are many great Canadian folk music bands out there, but here is a list of some of the best. These bands have all had great success in the Canadian music scene and have been nominated for or won many awards.
The Tragically Hip: The Tragically Hip is a Canadian rock band from Kingston, Ontario. They have released 14 studio albums, two live albums, and 54 singles. Their album “Fully Completely” was certified Diamond in Canada and has been nominated for 17 Juno Awards.
The Rankin Family: The Rankin Family is a Canadian folk music group from Mabou, Nova Scotia. They have released 10 studio albums and 32 singles. They have won numerous awards, including seven Juno Awards and four Genie Awards.
Great Big Sea: Great Big Sea is a Canadian folk rock band from Newfoundland and Labrador. They have released 10 studio albums, three live albums, and 33 singles. They have been nominated for eight Juno Awards and have won two SOCAN Folk Music Awards.
The Tragically Hip
The Tragically Hip, often referred to simply as The Hip, are a Canadian rock band from Kingston, Ontario. They are frequently cited as one of the country’s finest live acts. The group formed in 1984 and released their self-titled debut EP in 1987, followed by their first full-length album Up to Here in 1989.
The Weakerthans
The Weakerthans are a Canadian folk-punk band formed in 1997 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The band is composed of John K. Samson (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Greg Smith (bass guitar, backing vocals), Jason Tait (drums, percussion, backing vocals) and Steve Lambke (guitar, backing vocals).
The Weakerthans have released five studio albums and four EPs. Left and Leaving (2000), Reconstruction Site (2003) and Reunion Tour (2007) have all been nominated for the Polaris Music Prize.
Great Big Sea
Great Big Sea is a Canadian folk rock band from Newfoundland and Labrador. The band is best known for their high-energy live shows and Maritime-influenced sound. Great Big Sea has released ten studio albums, three live albums, and seventeen singles. They have been nominated for seven Juno Awards and have won two.
The Paperboys
The Paperboys are a Canadian folk music band from Vancouver, British Columbia. The band was formed in 1986 by guitarist and singer Tom Landa. The Paperboys blend Celtic and bluegrass influences with pop and rock sensibilities to create a unique sound that has earned them international acclaim. The band has released eight studio albums, the most recent of which, 2013’s Into the Blue, debuted at #1 on the Canadian Folk Music charts. The Paperboys have toured extensively throughout Canada, the United States, Europe, and Australia, and have been nominated for several Juno Awards.
The Be Good Tanyas
The Be Good Tanyas are a Canadian alternative country music group from Vancouver, British Columbia, consisting of Frazey Ford, Samantha Parton, and Trish Klein. The band has released three studio albums, the most recent being 2013’s “Blue Horse”. Their first album, “Chapel of Ease”, was nominated for a Juno Award for Best Roots & Traditional Album in 2002.
Le Vent du Nord
Le Vent du Nord is a Québecois band that formed in 2002 and has been mesmerizing audiences with their energetic live performances and beautifultraditional music ever since. The quartet is made up of Simon Beaudry (guitar, foot percussion), Olivier Demers (fiddle, mandolin), Réjean Brunet (accordion) and André Brunet (fiddle). All four members sing lead and backup vocals in French, occasionally punctuating their tunes with English lyrics.
The Duhks
The Duhks are a five-piece Canadian music group with a wide range of musical influences including Celtic, bluegrass, and French Canadian music. The band has been nominated for two Juno Awards and has won a Canadian Folk Music Award. The Duhks offer an exciting and unique sound that is sure to please any music fan.
The Wailin’ Jennys
The Wailin’ Jennys are a Canadian folk music band formed in 2002. The band is composed of three singers: Nicky Mehta, Ruth Moody, andCaroline Brooks. They are known for their close harmonies, inspired songwriting, and impressive live performances.
The Wailin’ Jennys’ breakout album, 40 Days (2004), was nominated for a Juno Award and won the Canadian Folk Music Award for Best Vocal Group Album of the Year. Their follow-up album, Firecracker (2006), was also nominated for a Juno Award and won the Prairie Music Award for Outstanding Roots Recording of the Year. The Wailin’ Jennys have released four albums to date, including Live at the Mauch Chunk Opera House (2009) and Bright Morning Stars (2011).
The Small Glories
The Small Glories is a Canadian folk music duo from Winnipeg, Manitoba, consisting of Cara Luft and JD Edwards. Their music has been described as “rootsy, with hints of country, folk, and blues.”
The Small Glories released their debut album, Wondrous Traveler, in 2016. The album was nominated for a Juno Award for Best Roots & Traditional Album of the Year. The duo’s second album, Assiniboine & the Red, was released in 2018.
The Small Glories has been praised by critics for their “tight harmonies” and “catchy tunes.” In 2018, they were nominated for a Canadian Folk Music Award for Vocal Group of the Year.
