The Best British Folk Music Labels

Discover the top 5 British folk music labels, according to our team of experts. From iconic imprints to innovative new voices, these are the companies keeping the scene alive.

The Rise of British Folk Music

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in British folk music. This has led to a number of new folk music labels popping up, all vying for a slice of the pie. In this article, we take a look at some of the best British folk music labels, all of which are worth checking out.

The early days of British folk music

British folk music has a long and varied history, dating back to the early days of the British Isles. From the traditional ballads of the Scottish Highlands to the more modern strains of English and Welsh folk, there is a wealth of music to be discovered.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence in interest in British folk music, with many young people rediscovering the rich tradition of their musical heritage. This has led to a new wave of British folk musicians emerging onto the scene, making some truly innovative and exciting music.

If you’re interested in exploring British folk music, then there are a few key labels that you should check out. Here are just some of the best British folk music labels around:

Solomon’s Seal Records: Solomon’s Seal is one of the longest-running British folk labels, having been founded all the way back in 1971. The label has released records by some of the biggest names in British folk music, including Joan Baez, Bert Jansch, and Pentangle.

Topic Records: Topic Records is another hugely influential British folk label, having been responsible for releasing some of the most important folk records of all time. The label was founded in 1939 and has since gone on to release records by everyone from Ewan MacColl to Fairport Convention.

Green Linnet Records: Green Linnet is an American record label with a strong focus on Celtic and British folk music. The label was founded in 1978 and has since released records by some of the most renowned Celtic musicians in the world, including Labhras O Murchu,Altan, and Solas.

Bloodshot Records: Bloodshot Records is an independent American record label with a slight focus on alt-country and Americana. However, they have also released several records by British artists such as Billy Bragg and The Pogues.

Hannibal Records: Hannibal Records is an American record label that was founded in 1977 with the aim of releasing world music. They have since gone on to release several records by British artists such as Robert Plant andfairport Convention

The British folk music revival of the 1960s

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, there was a renewed interest in traditional British folk music. This was partly due to the work of ethnomusicologists such as Cecil Sharp and partly due to the popularity of skiffle and rock and roll bands such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Inspired by these trends, a number of British folk music groups formed, playing a mix of traditional and contemporary songs.

One of the most successful British folk music groups of this period was The Watersons, who released their debut album in 1965. The group was led by siblings Norma Waterson and Lal Waterson, who were joined by their cousin Mike Waterson. Their distinctive vocal harmonies won them a large following, and they went on to record a number of critically acclaimed albums before disbanded in 1968.

Other successful British folk music groups of the 1960s include The Ian Campbell Folk Group, Pentangle, Fairport Convention, and Steeleye Span. These groups helped to popularize British folk music, both in Britain and internationally. In the 1970s and 1980s,pentangle the British folk music scene underwent something of a revival, with many new bands forming including The Pogues, The Levellers,and Bellowhead . Today, there is once again a strong interest in traditional British folk music , with many young people taking up instruments such as the fiddle , accordion ,and mandolin .There are also numerous folk festivals held throughout Britain each year , which provide an opportunity for both established performersand up-and-coming talents to showcase their skills .

The British folk music scene today

The British folk music scene has undergone a renaissance in recent years, with a new crop of artists reviving the genre and bringing it to a wider audience.

Labels like Domino, Warp and 4AD have played a major role in this resurgence, signing some of the most exciting names in the scene and helping to broaden the appeal of folk music.

Here are some of the best British folk music labels to keep an eye on:

Domino
Domino is one of the biggest names in independent music, and they’ve been behind some of the most acclaimed folk albums of recent years. Their roster includes acts like Alasdair Roberts, Marion Hepburn and Pictish Trail, all of whom have pushed the boundaries of what folk music can be.

Warp
Warp is best known for their work with electronic artists, but they’ve also released some great folk albums over the years. Their roster includes seasoned veterans like Sam Lee and Alex Rex, as well as up-and-comers like Emmapollock and This Is The Kit.

4AD
4AD is another hugely influential independent label, home to many iconic bands from across the musical spectrum. They’ve also released some fantastic folk albums in recent years, including records by Joanna Newsom, Nadine Shah and Mountain Man.

The Best British Folk Music Labels

There are many great British folk music labels that are worth checking out. These labels specialize in traditional and contemporary folk music from the British Isles. If you’re a fan of folk music, then you’ll definitely want to check out these labels.

Topic Records

Topic Records is a British independent record label founded in 1939 by World War II conscientious objector Frank Pick. The label’s first release was a 78rpm single, “The World Is Gone to the Moon” by organist Norman Hackforth. The company went on to specialise in folk music, and had early success withunity Releases by A. L. Lloyd and Ewan MacColl.

In recent years Topic has begun to diversify its catalogue, releasing material by artists such as Rachel Unthank and the Winterset, Jim Causley, Emily Portman and David Gray. Topic’s back catalogue includes recordings by some of the most important figures in British folk music history, including Alf Edwards, Cyril Tawney, Anne Briggs, Martin Carthy and The Watersons.

Island Records

Island Records is a major British record label, founded in 1959 by Chris Blackwell. It was acquired by polygram in 1989 and then by Universal Music Group in 1998. Island is primarily known for rock, pop and reggae releases, but has a strong folk music tradition represented by artists such as Nick Drake, Richard Thompson and Loudon Wainwright III.

Hannibal Records

Hannibal Records is a United Kingdom based record label that specializes in releasing folk music from both British and Irish artists. The label was founded in 1971 by Ashley Hutchings, the original bass player for the folk rock band Fairport Convention. Since its inception, Hannibal Records has released over two hundred albums, many of which have received critical acclaim.

ECM Records

ECM Records is a German independent record label founded by producer Manfred Eicher in 1969. The label focuses on modern classical, jazz, and world music, with an occasional foray into the avant-garde. ECM’s artists include Jan Garbarek, Bobo Stenson, Eberhard Weber, Lester Bowie, Charles Lloyd, Ralph Towner, and Terje Rypdal.

The Future of British Folk Music

With the current state of the music industry, it’s hard to say where British folk music will be in the next ten years. However, there are a few British folk music labels that are doing very well and are setting the standard for the future of the genre. Here are the best British folk music labels.

The young British folk music scene

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in British folk music, with a new generation of performers taking up the torch from their predecessors. This new wave of folk musicians is keeping the tradition alive while also bringing their own unique perspective to the genre.

There are a number of outstanding British folk labels that are releasing exciting and innovative music. Here are just a few of the best:

Tompkins Square – Tompkins Square is a US-based label, but they have an excellent roster of British folk artists, including Odetta Hartman, Richard Thompson, and Bert Jansch. They are known for putting out high-quality releases, and their albums are always worth checking out.

Topic Records – Topic Records is one of the most venerableBritish folk labels, having been founded in 1939. They have released some essential folk albums over the years, including A History of the Folk Song by Ewan MacColl and The World Turned Upside Down by Martin Carthy. They continue to be at the forefront of the British folk scene, with recent releases from artists such as Kate Stables (aka Kathryn Williams) and Sam Lee.

Island Records – Island Records may be best known for their work with rock and pop artists like Bob Marley and U2, but they also have a strong tradition of releasing quality folk music. Their roster includes some of the biggest names in British folk, such as Nic Jones and Pentangle. They have also released some excellent compilation albums, such as The Island Folk Box Set and The Best of British Folk Music.

If you’re interested in exploring the current state of British folk music, these labels are definitely worth checking out.

The influence of digital technology

Technology has had a huge impact on the music industry as a whole, and folk music is no exception. The popularity of music streaming services has made it easier than ever for people to access a wide variety of music from all over the world, and this has had a big impact on the way that British folk music is consumed.

More and more people are discovering British folk music through digital channels, and this is having a big impact on the way that the genre is evolving. One of the most notable changes is the rise of so-called ‘neo-folk’ bands who are blending traditional folk sounds with elements of electronica and other genres. This new breed of folk artist is attracting a whole new audience to the genre, and it will be interesting to see how British folk music develops in the future.

The global reach of British folk music

British folk music has been enjoying a resurgence in popularity in recent years, with a new generation of artists taking influence from the traditional sounds of the genre and giving it a modern twist. This has led to a growing international interest in British folk music, and there are now a number of record labels specialising in releasing new and exciting folk music from Britain.

One of the most successful British folk labels is Rough Trade, which is home to a number of well-known artists such as Passenger and Olivia Chaney. The label has been instrumental in promoting British folk music around the world, and their records are distributed in over fifty countries. Another leading light in the British folk scene is Domino Recording Company, whose roster includes the likes of Frankenstein Bolts and Stick in the Wheel.

As British folk music continues to grow in popularity, there is no doubt that more labels will emerge to cater for this ever-growing market. So if you’re a fan of British folk music, make sure to keep an eye out for these exciting new releases!