The Best Folk Music Artists of 2010

Looking for some new folk music to check out? Here are our picks for the best folk music artists of 2010!

The Avett Brothers

The Avett Brothers are an American folk rock band from Concord, North Carolina. The group is made up of two brothers, Scott Avett and Seth Avett, who both sing and play guitar, banjo, piano, and drums. The Avett Brothers began making music together in 2000 and released their first album in 2002. They have since released eight studio albums, four live albums, and one extended play. Their most recent album, True Sadness, was released in 2016.

The Avett Brothers are known for their energetic live performances and their emotionally honest songwriting. Their music has been featured in several films and television shows, including This Is 40 (2012), Friday Night Lights (2006-2011), and One Tree Hill (2003-2012). The group has also won two Grammy Awards, one for Best Americana Album for The Carpenter (2012) and one for Best Folk Album for True Sadness (2017).

Fleet Foxes

Fleet Foxes are an American indie folk band formed in Seattle, Washington. Originally, the band was conceived as a solo project by singer-songwriter and guitarist Robin Pecknold while he was attending Columbia University. The band’s first EP, Fleet Foxes (2008), was released months after Pecknold relocated to Seattle; the release of the EP brought about the addition of three new members, giving rise to the self-titled full-length album Fleet Foxes (2008). Helplessness Blues (2011), the band’s second album, debuted at number four on Billboard 200 and received widespread critical acclaim. Crack-Up (2017) is the band’s third studio album.

Bon Iver

Bon Iver is an American indie folk band founded in 2006 by singer-songwriter Justin Vernon. The band’s debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago, was released in 2007 and garnered critical acclaim. The album was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best New Artist and won the award for Best Alternative Music Album. Bon Iver’s second album, Bon Iver, Bon Iver, was released in 2011 and won the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album. The band’s third album, 22, A Million, was released in 2016 and received widespread critical acclaim.

Mumford & Sons

Mumford & Sons are a British folk rock band. The band consists of Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett, Winston Marshall and Ted Dwane. Mumford & Sons have released three studio albums: Sigh No More, Babel and Wilder Mind. The band has also released three live albums: Live at Shepherd’s Bush Empire, The Road to Red Rocks and Live from South Africa: Dust and Thunder.

Mumford & Sons’ first album, Sigh No More, was released in October 2010. The album peaked at number two on the UK Albums Chart and number four on the US Billboard 200. Sigh No More has been certified multi-platinum in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The album won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards.

Babel was released in September 2012. The album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and number two on the US Billboard 200. Babel has been certified multi-platinum in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The album won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards.

Wilder Mind was released in May 2015. The album debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart and number three on the US Billboard 200. Wilder Mind has been certified platinum in Australia and the United Kingdom.

The Civil Wars

The Civil Wars are an American musical duo consisting of singer-songwriters Joy Williams and John Paul White. Formed in 2008, they released their self-titled debut album in 2011. Despite having only been together for a few years, The Civil Wars have already acquired a devoted following and won numerous awards, including two Grammy Awards for Best Country Duo/Group Performance.

The Civil Wars’ music has been described as “haunting” and ” mesmerizing”, with a sound that is both “intimate and expansive”. Their lyrics often deal with love and loss, heartache and hope, and are delivered with emotion and sincerity. If you’re a fan of folk music, or simply looking for something new to listen to, The Civil Wars are definitely worth checking out.

The Lumineers

Formed in 2005 in Denver, Colorado, The Lumineers are an American folk rock band made up of singer and guitarist Wesley Schultz, bassist and cellist Ben Wahamaki, and drummer Jeremiah Fraites. Their self-titled debut album was released in April 2012 and peaked at number 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. The Lumineers have been nominated for two Grammy Awards and their song “Ho Hey” was certified triple platinum in the United States.

The Head and the Heart

The Head and the Heart is an American indie folk band from Seattle, Washington. Formed in 2009, the group consists of Josiah Johnson (vocals, guitar, percussion), Jonathan Russell (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Charity Rose Thielen (violin, viola, vocals), Chris Zasche (bass), and Tyler Williams (drums).

The band’s self-titled debut album was released in 2011 on Sub Pop. The album peaked at number five on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Alternative Albums chart. The band’s second album Let’s Be Still was released on October 15, 2013. It debuted at number ten on the Billboard 200.

Punch Brothers

Punch Brothers are an Americana quintet who formed in 2006. Their music is a blend of bluegrass, jazz, and pop, and their sound has been likened to a “newgrass supergroup”. The band’s first album, Punch, was released in 2008 to critical acclaim, and their second album, Antifogmatic, was released in 2010.

The members of Punch Brothers are all highly accomplished musicians. Chris Thile (mandolin), Gabe Witcher (fiddle), Noam Pikelny (banjo), Mike Marshall (guitar), and Paul Kowert (bass) all play multiple instruments and have multiple musical influences. This allows the band to create a unique sound that is both familiar and fresh.

Punch Brothers have been nominated for two Grammy Awards and have won two International Bluegrass Music Awards. They have toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe, and their music has been featured on television shows such as Friday Night Lights and The Late Show with David Letterman.

The Tallest Man on Earth

Kristian Matsson, who performs and records under the name of The Tallest Man on Earth, is a Swedish singer-songwriter. Born on April 30th, 1983, in Dalarna, Sweden, Matsson began his career playing open mics and busking throughout Sweden and Europe. In 2006, he released his first EP, entitled Shallow Grave. The EP caught the attention of Merge Records, who signed Matsson and released his debut album, The Wild Hunt, in 2010. The album was met with critical acclaim, and helped to propel Matsson to international stardom. In the years since, he has released three more albums—Dark Bird Is Home (2015), There’s No Leaving Now (2012), and Once I Was an Eagle (2013)—to widespread acclaim.

First Aid Kit

First Aid Kit is a Swedish folk duo consisting of sisters Johanna and Klara Söderberg. Their 2010 album, The Lion’s Roar, was hailed as one of the best folk albums of the year by critics. The album peaked at number three on the Swedish charts and earned the duo a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist. First Aid Kit’s music has been featured in several films and television shows, including The Hunger Games and Grey’s Anatomy.