5 Hipster Folk Music Artists You Need to Know
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Are you a fan of folk music? If you’re looking for something a little different, check out these five hipster folk music artists. From banjo-playing songwriters to alt-folk bands, there’s something for everyone.
The Avett Brothers
The Avett Brothers are an American folk rock band from North Carolina, consisting of two brothers, Scott Avett and Seth Avett, who play guitar and banjo respectively. The brothers are supported by a full band featuring Bob Crawford on upright bass, Joe Kwon on cello, and Mike Marsh on drums. The Avett Brothers are known for their simple, yet catchy melodies and their upbeat, yet often heart-wrenching lyrics.
Their story
The Avett Brothers are an American folk rock band originally from Mount Pleasant, North Carolina. The group is made up of two brothers, Scott Avett and Seth Avett, who play guitar and sing alongside Bob Crawford on bass and Joe Kwon on cello. The four members came together in 2000 and released their debut album, Country Was, in 2002.
The band’s sound has been described as a mix of bluegrass, country, pop, rock n’ roll, punk rock, and indie folk. They have released a total of nine studio albums, four live albums, one compilation album, and one extended play (EP). In May 2012, their major label debut album The Carpenter peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart. Later that year, the group performed on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and appeared on an episode of PBS’s Austin City Limits.
The Avett Brothers have toured extensively throughout their career and have played at a variety of music festivals including Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Outside Lands, Hangout Festivals, Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL), and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
Their sound
The Avett Brothers play hipster folk music. The Avett Brothers are an American folk rock band from Concord, North Carolina. The band is made up of two brothers, Scott Avett and Seth Avett, who play the guitar and sing vocals. The Avett Brothers also include Bob Crawford on the banjo and double bass, and Joe Kwon on the cello.
The Avett Brothers’ music is rooted in bluegrass and other traditional Americana genres, but their sound is also influenced by pop, rock, indie, and punk. The Avett Brothers’ lyrics are often personal and introspective, dealing with themes of love, loss, hope, and redemption.
Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes are an American indie folk band formed in Seattle, Washington in 2006. The band came to prominence in the early 2010s with their self-titled debut album, Fleet Foxes, which peaked at number three on the US Billboard 200. The album was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Folk Album at the 51st Grammy Awards. The band released their second album, Helplessness Blues, in 2011 to critical acclaim and commercial success.
Their story
Formed in Seattle in 2006, Fleet Foxes made a splash with their self-titled debut album, which became one of the most acclaimed indie folk albums of the decade. The band’s sound was rooted in the close harmonies and rustic instrumentation of groups like Crosby, Stills & Nash and Simon & Garfunkel, but they also pursued a more experimental musical direction than their predecessors, incorporating elements ofPsychedelia and avant-garde jazz into their arrangements.
After taking a hiatus in 2012, Fleet Foxes returned in 2017 with Crack-Up, an even more ambitious and experimental record that cemented their status as one of the 21st century’s most innovative folk bands.
Their sound
The Seattle-based band is often described as a mix of Fleet Foxes’ dedication to 60s psychedelia and something unique and fresh that can only be found in the 21st century. The membersare Robin Pecknold (vocals, guitar, piano), Skyler Skjelset (guitar, mandolin, keyboards), Casey Wescott (keyboards, piano, melodica, mandolin, guitar), Christian Wargo (bass, vocals), and Morgan Henderson (multi-instrumentalist).
Bon Iver
For fans of: Iron & Wine, Fleet Foxes, The National
Their story
Bon Iver is an American indie folk band founded in 2007 by singer-songwriter Justin Vernon. The band’s name derives from the French phrase bon hiver, meaning “good winter”, taken from a farewell letter written by Vernon to a former lover. Vernon independently released Bon Iver’s debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago, in July 2007.
The album was produced in a secluded cabin located in northwestern Wisconsin over the course of three months, and features guitar, piano, drums and vocals. For Emma received positive reviews from music critics and won several year-end awards including one for Best New Music by Pitchfork Media, and went on to win the Grammy Award for Best New Artist at the 2011 ceremony.
The album was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2012 Grammy Awards, with “Holocene” being nominated for Record of the Year and “Calgary” being nominated for Song of the Year. Bon Iver’s second studio album, Bon Iver, Bon Iver (2011), was released to further acclaim and earned Vernon two more Grammy Awards: Best Alternative Music Album and Best New Artist.
Their sound
While the band’s sound has certainly evolved over the years, their music has always had a very clear focus on interesting, complex melodies and perfectly executed vocal arrangements. In other words, it’s the kind of music that you can really sink your teeth into.
The band has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is considered “popular music,” and their experimental approach to songwriting has won them a loyal following among fans of all genres.
Whether you’re a fan of Bon Iver or not, there’s no denying that they are one of the most unique and innovative bands making music today.
The Head and the Heart
The Head and the Heart is a hipster folk music band that you need to know about. This band is from Seattle and they have been around since 2009. They have released three albums, the most recent one being Signs of Light.
Their story
The Head and the Heart is an American indie folk band formed in 2009 in Seattle, Washington. The band is composed of Josiah Johnson (vocals, guitar, percussion), Charity Rose Thielen (violin, guitar, vocals), Jonathan Russell (vocals, guitar, percussion), Chris Zasche (bass), Tyler Williams (drums), and Mat Brooke (guitar). The band’s self-titled debut album was released on their own label in 2010. Their second album, Let’s Be Still, was released via Sub Pop on October 15, 2013.
The group met in the summer of 2009 at an open-mic night at Seattle’s Conor Byrne pub. drummer Tyler Williams had recently moved from Montana to attend college in Seattle; keyboardist Kenny Hensley had moved there from Florida to work at a daycare center; violinist/guitarist Charity Rose Thielen and her bassist brother Matt had driven up from Portland, Oregon. All six people – including Jonathan Russell and Josiah Johnson, who had been living together for about a month in an artists’ colony near Seattle – connected over their shared love of folk/roots music.
Their sound
The Head and the Heart’s sound has often been described as a cross between Fleet Foxes and Arcade Fire. The sextet is fronted by two lead vocalists and guitarists, Josiah Johnson and Jonathan Russell. The Head and the Heart released their self-titled debut album in 2011 to much critical acclaim. Paste magazine called it “one of the most gorgeous debut albums in recent memory.”
Mumford and Sons
Mumford and Sons is a hipster folk music band that originated in London, England in 2007. The band consists of Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett, Winston Marshall, and Ted Dwane. The band’s debut album, Sigh No More, was released in 2009 and peaked at number two on the UK album charts. The band has won two Grammy Awards, two Brit Awards, and an American Music Award.
Their story
Mumford and Sons is a British folk rock band from London, formed in 2007. The band consists of Marcus Mumford (lead vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, drums), Winston Marshall (banjo, dobro, electric guitar, backing vocals), Ben Lovett (keyboards, piano, synthesizers, backing vocals), and Ted Dwane (bass guitar, double bass, backing vocals). Mumford and Sons have released three studio albums: Sigh No More (2009), Babel (2012), and Wilder Mind (2015). The band has also issued two live albums: Live at Shepherds Bush Empire (2011) and The Road to Red Rocks (2016).
The group won the Brit Award for Best British Group in 2013. They also won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year and Best Americana Album for Babel at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. In September 2015, the band was nominated for eight MTV Video Music Awards, including Best Rock Video for “Believe”, winning Best Cinematography.
Mumford & Sons formed in December 2007 after singer-songwriter Marcus Mumford met multi-instrumentalists Ben Lovett and Winston Marshall at a pub in London. Mumford had recently broken up with his previous band Automaton Transfusion and immediately clicked with Marshall and Lovett when they started playing together. Within weeks they wrote their first song (“Little Lion Man”), which would eventually become their debut single.
Their sound
Mumford & Sons’ debut album, “Sigh No More,” released in 2009, brought the group deserved attention with its anthemic single “Little Lion Man.” The band’s follow-up record, “Babel,” won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2013. Known for their energetic live performances, Mumford & Sons tour extensively, often playing multiple sold-out nights at some of the world’s most prestigious venues.
The band’s sound is a unique blend of traditional folk instruments (banjo, double bass, acoustic guitar) with a rock ‘n’ roll sensibility. This combination has struck a chord with listeners around the world and has made Mumford & Sons one of the most popular bands of the past decade.
