Folk Music in Los Angeles: A Scene to Discover
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Looking for something different in your music listening? Check out the growing folk music scene in Los Angeles! With a vibrant community of talented musicians, there’s always something new to discover.
Introduction to the LA Folk Scene
Los Angeles is known for many things – the movie industry, beaches, and perfect weather, to name a few. But did you know that LA also has a thriving folk music scene?
Folk music often conjures up images of woodsy Old Time bands or mountain dulcimer players in rural Appalachian settings, but in recent years the genre has undergone a revival in urban areas across the country. In Los Angeles, this revival has led to the formation of a vibrant and growing folk scene, with performances and events taking place all over the city.
Whether you’re a folk music aficionado or just looking to discover something new, LA’s folk scene is definitely worth checking out. Read on to learn more about some of the best places to experience folk music in Los Angeles.
The Different Venues You Can Find Folk Music In
Angelenos have a lot of options for enjoying live music, and with the recent resurgence in popularity of folk music, there are more places than ever to catch a great show. Whether you’re looking for an intimate coffeehouse setting or a rowdy barroom sing-along, there’s a venue for you. Here are just a few of the places where you can find folk music in Los Angeles.
The Troubadour
The Troubadour is one of the most iconic and well-known music venues in Los Angeles. It has been a staple of the LA music scene since 1957, when it first opened its doors. Over the years, it has played host to a wide variety of musical acts, from folk and country legends to up-and-coming indie bands. The Troubadour has a rich history and is considered by many to be a mecca for live music in Los Angeles.
If you’re looking to discover some new folk music in Los Angeles, The Troubadour is definitely a great place to start. You never know who you might see playing on any given night, but you can be sure that it will always be an enjoyable experience.
Largo
Largo is a music club located in Los Angeles, CA. Largo has been a part of the Los Angeles music scene for over 15 years. The club has been host to many folk musicians such as: John Prine, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Gillian Welch, and many more. Largo also has a restaurant attached to the club that serves American food with a focus on seasonal and local ingredients.
The Mint
The Mint is one of the most popular venues in Los Angeles for folk music. Located on Pico Boulevard, the Mint has been hosting folk musicians since its opening in 1937. The venue has a capacity of approximately 200 people and is known for its intimate setting. Folk musicians who have played at the Mint include Bob Dylan, Patsy Cline, and Woody Guthrie.
McCabe’s Guitar Shop
Located in Santa Monica, McCabe’s Guitar Shop is one of the most iconic and renowned folk music venues in Los Angeles. Since being founded in 1958, McCabe’s has been a hub for the LA folk scene, hosting countless legendary folk musicians over the years. In recent years, McCabe’s has also become known for its excellent guitar prices and wide selection of string instruments. If you’re a fan of folk music, McCabe’s is definitely a venue you need to check out!
The Different Styles of Folk Music You Can Hear
Folk music in Los Angeles is a varied and rich scene, with everything from traditional ballads to modern acoustic singer-songwriters. There’s something for everyone in the LA folk scene, and it’s definitely worth discovering. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the different styles of folk music you can hear in Los Angeles.
Americana
Americana is a genre of music formed by the confluence of folk, blues, country and rock & roll traditions in the United States. It generally (but not exclusively) refers to music performed in an acoustic style, often with instrumentation that includes guitar, harmonica, fiddle, and mandolin. Lyrically, Americana songs are often stories about the everyday lives of working people, including tales of love and loss, work and play, triumphs and defeats.
The term “Americana” was first used in the early 1970s by singer-songwriter John Prine to describe his own brand of country-influenced music. In the 1980s, Billboard magazine began using the term to describe a new wave of country-influenced musicians such as Lyle Lovett, Nanci Griffith and Emmylou Harris. In the 1990s, “Americana” became more widely used to describe a broader range of roots-based musical styles including everything from folk and bluegrass to alternative country and rockabilly.
Today, Americana is one of the most popular genres of roots music, with artists ranging from legends like Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson to contemporary performers like Jason Isbell and Brandi Carlile. If you’re looking for something different from the mainstream pop sounds of today, give Americana a try – you just might be surprised at how much you enjoy it!
Singer-Songwriter
Singer-songwriters are … artists who write, compose, and perform their own musical material, including lyrics and melodies. The genre began to emerge in the mid-20th century and reached its height of popularity in the 1970s. Singer-songwriters often have a folky, acoustic style and focus on personal or story-telling lyrics. Some well-known singer-songwriters include Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Paul Simon, and Carole King.
Celtic
Celtic music is one of the many genres of folk music that you can hear in Los Angeles. Celtic music encompasses a wide range of styles, from traditional Irish and Scottish music to more contemporary sounds. You can find Celtic music in a variety of venues, including pubs, concert halls, and even in some recreational parks.
The Celtic style has its roots in the music of the British Isles, particularly Ireland and Scotland. Celtic music is often characterized by its use of traditional instruments, such as the fiddle, accordion, and penny whistle. You may also hear elements of rock or pop in some contemporary Celtic tunes.
If you’re looking to experience Celtic music in Los Angeles, there are a few places you can go. One option is to check out one of the many pubs that offer live music. Many of these pubs feature Irish or Scottish bands that play traditional Celtic tunes. Another option is to attend a concert or festival dedicated to Celtic music. These events are usually held annually and feature a variety of artists from different parts of the Celtic world.
So if you’re looking for something a little different than the usual folk fare, be sure to give Celtic music a listen!
Old-Time
Old-time music is a genre of North American folk music. It developed along with various North American folk dances, such as square dancing, clogging, and flatfoot dancing. It is played on acoustic instruments, generally centering on a fiddle or plucked string instruments.
The melody of old-time music is often embellished with accidentals (notes that are not part of the scale), and the rhythm is usually geared towards driving the dancers. The hallmark of old-time music is its use of drone bass, in which one or more notes are played continuously throughout the piece. This provides a foundation against which the melody and rhythm can be played.
The Different Festivals You Can Attend
Los Angeles is known for a lot of things and one of them is its music scene. The city has a rich history when it comes to folk music. If you’re a fan of this genre, you’ll be glad to know that there are a number of festivals you can attend. In this article, we’ll be discussing some of the most popular folk music festivals in Los Angeles.
Topanga Banjo•Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival
The Topanga Banjo•Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival is one of the oldest and largest traditional music festivals in the United States. It is held every Memorial Day Weekend in Topanga Canyon, just outside Los Angeles. The festival features two stages with continuous live music, over 100 workshops and jam sessions, a fiddle and banjo competition, food and craft vendors, a kids’ area, and camping.
The Oldtime Social
The Oldtime Social is a annual music festival that happens every January in Los Angeles. The event is organized by the Los Angeles Oldtime Music Society, and features three days of Continuous music on two stages, dancing, food, and workshops.
Over the course of the weekend, you can expect to hear a wide variety of music styles including old-time, bluegrass, jug band, country & Western,Western Swing, Celtic and more. In addition to the live music, there will also be square dancing, Contra dancing, and Morris dancing.
If you’re interested in attending the Oldtime Social, you can find more information on the Los Angeles Oldtime Music Society website.
The Los Angeles Folk Festival
The Los Angeles Folk Festival is one of the most popular folk music festivals in the United States. The festival features a wide variety of folk musicians from all over the world, and it attracts a large number of music lovers every year. If you’re looking for a place to enjoy some great folk music, this is definitely the place to be.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Los Angeles folk music scene is a thriving and vibrant community of musicians and music lovers that is well worth checking out. Whether you’re a seasoned folkie or a curious novice, you’re sure to find something to love in LA’s many folk venues. So get out there and start exploring!
