5 Folk Music Groups You Need to Know About

Folk music has been around for centuries, and it’s still going strong today. If you’re looking to get into this genre, here are five folk music groups you need to know about.

The Duhks

If you’re a fan of traditional and contemporary folk music, then you’ll want to check out The Duhks. This canadian group is composed of five members who all contribute to the stunning vocal harmony that characterizes their sound. In addition to their unique take on folk music, The Duhks are also known for their energetic live performances.

The Be Good Tanyas

The Be Good Tanyas are a Canadian folk music group, founded in 1999 in Vancouver, British Columbia. The group consists of Frazey Ford, Samantha Parton, and Trish Klein. All three members play guitar and sing, with Parton also playing banjo and Klein playing fiddle. The Be Good Tanyas’ music has been compared to that of Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings, Hank Williams, Emmylou Harris, June Carter Cash, and The Carter Family. Their first album, “Blue Horse”, was released in 2001.

Great Big Sea

Formed in Newfoundland in 1993, Great Big Sea is one of the most popular and well-known folk groups in Canada. The band is known for their high-energy live shows and their unique blend of traditional Newfoundland music with modern pop and rock influences. Great Big Sea has released 10 studio albums and has won multiple Juno Awards, East Coast Music Awards, and SOCAN Folk/Roots Awards.

Check out some of their most popular songs:
-“Ordinary Day”
-“When I’m Up (I Can’t Get Down)”
-“Mari-Mac”
-“Ransom”
– “Consequence Free”

The Wailin’ Jennys

The Wailin’ Jennys are a Canadian folk music trio. The band is composed of Nicky Mehta, Ruth Moody, and Heather Masse. All three members are singer-songwriters and play multiple instruments. The Jennys have released seven albums, the most recent being 2016’s Firecracker.

The Jennys first came together in 2002 for a one-time performance at a local club in their hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba. They enjoyed the experience so much that they decided to make it a regular thing, and shortly after, they released their first album, 40 Days. The album was recorded live at the club where they first played together and became an instant success, selling over 5,000 copies.

Since then, The Wailin’ Jennys have toured all over the world and have won numerous awards, including Folk Album of the Year at the 2006 Juno Awards (for their second album, Firecracker). In addition to their own albums, The Jennys have also contributed to several compilations and soundtracks, including Garden State and Songcatcher.

If you’re a fan of folk music, or just good music in general, you need to check out The Wailin’ Jennys!

Natalie MacMaster

Natalie MacMaster is a Canadian fiddle player. She has been playing the fiddle since she was nine years old, and has won several prestigious awards for her playing. MacMaster has released thirteen studio albums, and has toured extensively throughout her career.

The Chieftains
The Chieftains are an Irish folk music group. They have been active since the 1960s, and have released over 40 albums. The Chieftains are renowned for their skillful musicianship and intricate arrangements of traditional Irish music.

The Pogues
The Pogues are an Irish-British folk punk band. They formed in the early 1980s, and rose to prominence in the UK underground music scene with their lively blend of traditional Irish music and punk rock. The Pogues are best known for their hit song “Fairytale of New York,” which has become a Christmas classic.

Planxty
Planxty is an Irish folk music group that was active in the 1970s. The group was founded by musicians Christy Moore and Dónal Lunny, and was one of the first bands to bring traditional Irish music to a wider audience. Planxty’s innovative arrangements and use of contemporary instruments influenced many subsequent folk bands.

The Dubliners
The Dubliners are an Irish folk band that was founded in 1962. The Dubliners were one of the most popular bands of their era, and helped to popularize traditional Irish music around the world. The Dubliners have released over 30 albums, and continue to tour regularly despite the death of several founding members.