Folk Music in Seattle: A Guide

A comprehensive guide to folk music in Seattle – from the best venues to the top performers, get the inside scoop on everything folk in the Emerald City!

What is folk music?

Folk music is a genre of music that typically embodies the traditions and values of a culture or community. In the United States, folk music often refers to the music of rural communities and working-class people, although it can also encompass the music of marginalized groups such as immigrants, minorities, and indigenous peoples.

Folk music in Seattle is predominately guitar-based and influenced by traditional Celtic, English, and American folk styles. The city is home to a number of folk clubs and venues, as well as numerous festivals that showcase local and regional talent. If you’re interested in experiencing folk music in Seattle, here are a few ways to do so.

Origins of folk music

The term “folk music” generally refers to traditional music that has been passed down from generation to generation, often within a particular culture or region. It is typically characterized by its use of acoustic instruments and traditional song structures, as well as its focus on storytelling.

Folk music has its origins in the oral tradition, and many folk songs are still passed down orally today. In some cases, folk songs may be written down and preserved in sheet music or songbooks, but they are typically learned by ear.

Folk music is believed to have originated in Europe during the Middle Ages, and it arrived in America with the first European settlers. American folk music has been significantly influenced by the music of other cultures, including the African-American tradition of blues and jazz, as well as the Celtic tradition of Ireland and Scotland.

Over time, folk music has evolved to include a wide variety of different styles from all over the world. In Seattle, you can find folk musicians performing everything from Traditional Irish tunes to French Canadian ballads to Scandinavian polkas.

The folk music scene in Seattle

The folk music scene in Seattle is very vibrant and active, with many local musicians playing at venues around the city. There are also a number of folk music festivals held in Seattle each year, which attract both local and international musicians.

If you’re interested in checking out some of the best that the Seattle folk music scene has to offer, here are some of the top venues and festivals to check out.

Venues:

The Tractor Tavern is one of the most popular places to see live music in Seattle. It’s located in Ballard, and it has a great atmosphere for enjoying folk music. The venue hosts both local and touring musicians, and there’s usually a good mix of styles represented.

The Crocodile Cafe is another excellent place to see live music in Seattle. It’s located in Belltown, and it hosts a wide variety of musical acts from all over the world. The Crocodile Cafe is particularly known for its intimate setting and its eclectic booking policy.

Festivals:
Zootunes is an annual summer music festival that takes place at the Woodland Park Zoo. The festival features a wide range of musical genres, but Folk music is always well-represented. Zootunes is a great opportunity to see some local talent as well as some bigger names from out of town.

The Northwest Folklife Festival is one of the biggest and most popular folk festivals in the country. It takes place every Memorial Day weekend at Seattle Center, and it features a huge variety of folk musicians from all over the world. The festival is free to attend, so it’s a great way to experience a lot of different types of folk music without spending any money.

The best folk music venues in Seattle

There are plenty of great places to enjoy live folk music in Seattle. Here are some of the best venues to check out.

The Crocodile: This iconic Seattle venue has been hosting live music for over 25 years. They offer a variety of genres, but folk music is always well represented.

The Tractor Tavern: This country-themed tavern is located in Ballard and is one of the most popular folk music venues in the city. They offer a wide range of programming, from local up-and-comers to nationally touring acts.

The Triple Door: This venue is located in the heart of downtown Seattle and offers a mix of local and national folk acts. They also have a full restaurant and bar, making it a great place to spend an evening.

Nectar Lounge: This popular Fremont venue offers a mix of live music and DJ nights, with folk music often featured. They have a large outdoor patio that’s perfect for summer evenings.

The best folk music festivals in Seattle

Folk music is a genre of music that typically uses acoustic instruments and focuses on traditional songs. It has its roots in the working class music of the United States and Europe. Folk music has been popular in Seattle for many years, and there are several festivals dedicated to this genre.

The best folk music festivals in Seattle include the following:

-TheSeattle Folk Festival is one of the largest and most well-known folk festivals in the city. It takes place every year on the first weekend in August.
-The Folklife Festival is a free festival that takes place at the Seattle Center every Memorial Day weekend. It features performances by local and regional folk musicians, as well as dancers, storytellers, and craftspeople.
-The Winter Folk Festival is a smaller festival that takes place in January at various venues around Seattle. It features a wide variety of folk musicians from around the world.

The best folk music radio stations in Seattle

Folk music has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, and Seattle is no exception. The Emerald City is home to a number of excellent folk music radio stations that are sure to please even the most discerning listener.

KEXP 90.3 FM is perhaps the most well-known folk music radio station in Seattle. The station is known for its eclectic mix of music, and its folk programming is no exception. KEXP regularly features folk music from both up-and-coming and established artists, making it the perfect place to discover new music.

If you’re looking for a more traditional take on folk music, then WMNF 88.5 FM is the station for you. WMNF focuses on Americana and roots music, and its programming reflects this focus. You’ll hear everything from classic folk songs to contemporary interpretations of traditional tunes on this station.

For a truly unique listening experience, tune in to KBCS 91.3 FM. This station’s programming is dedicated to world folk music, so you’ll be able to hear sounds from all corners of the globe. Whether you’re in the mood for Celtic tunes or Latin American Folk sounds, KBCS has you covered.

The best folk music websites in Seattle

Are you looking for the best folk music websites in Seattle? Whether you want to find out about upcoming events, listen to music online, or purchase CDs, there are plenty of great sites to choose from. Here are some of our favorites:

-Folk Northwest: This website is a great resource for folk music lovers in the Pacific Northwest. You can find information about upcoming events, listen to streaming audio, and purchase CDs.
-Fiddler’s Green: This site features streaming audio of traditional Irish and Scottish music. You can also find information about upcoming concerts and festivals in the Seattle area.
-Celtic Music Web: This is a great resource for Celtic music lovers. You can find information about upcoming Celtic music events in the Seattle area, as well as links to streaming audio and online stores where you can purchase CDs.

The best folk music blogs in Seattle

There are a lot of great folk music blogs out there, but here are our favorites from Seattle:

The Seattle Folk Music Examiner is a great resource for finding out about folk music events in the area. They also have a lot of interviews with local musicians and write-ups of shows.

If you’re looking for more of a general music blog that covers all genres, but still has a lot of good folk content, check out The Stranger’s Music Blog. They often have features on local bands and reviews of shows.

Finally, Earcandy is another great resource for music news and reviews in Seattle. While they don’t cover folk music as specifically as the other two blogs, they’re still worth checking out if you want to stay up-to-date on the Seattle music scene in general.

The best folk music podcasts in Seattle

Folk music has been a part of the fabric of Seattle for as long as the city has been around. There are many great folk music podcasts that showcase the best of what the genre has to offer in Seattle. Here are some of our favorites:

The Seattle Folk Scene Podcast is a great place to start if you’re new to folk music in Seattle. The podcast features interviews with some of the most well-known and respected figures in the Seattle folk music scene.

If you’re looking for a more general introduction to folk music, we recommend The Folk Music Podcast. This podcast features interviews with musicians from all over the world, including many from Seattle.

If you want to get deep into the history and culture of folk music in Seattle, check out The Folklore Society Podcast. This podcast features interviews with some of the most respected historians and folklorists in the city.

Finally, if you’re just looking for some great tunes, we recommend The Seattle Folk Music iTunes station. This station features a mix of traditional and contemporary folk music from all over the world, including many artists from Seattle.

The best folk music albums of all time

When it comes to folk music, there are countless great albums that have been released over the years. But which ones are the absolute best? Here is a list of the 10 best folk music albums of all time, according to critical acclaim and popular opinion.

1. “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan” by Bob Dylan (1963)

2. “The Times They Are A-Changin’” by Bob Dylan (1964)

3. “ Bringing It All Back Home” by Bob Dylan (1965)

4. “Blood on the Tracks” by Bob Dylan (1975)

5. “Oh Mercy” by Bob Dylan (1989)

6. “The Freewheelin’ Sam Cooke” by Sam Cooke (1963)

7. “A Love Supreme” by John Coltrane (1965)
8. “ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” by The Beatles (1967) 9. “Astral Weeks” by Van Morrison (1968) 10. “Music From Big Pink” by The Band (1968)