Top Folk Music Artists Today

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Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Contents

The folk music scene has never been more vibrant, with a wealth of talented artists emerging in recent years. In this blog post, we round up some of the top folk music artists making waves today. From traditional balladeers to contemporary singer-songwriters, there’s something for everyone in this list.

The Revival of Folk Music

It seems that in today’s age of digital music and auto-tuned pop, folk music is making a comeback. More and more artists are returning to their acoustic roots and writing songs with meaning. This is a refreshing change from the cookie-cutter pop songs that dominate the airwaves. Let’s take a look at some of the top folk music artists today.

The Rise of Americana

Folk music has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, with artists like Mumford & Sons and The Lumineers finding mainstream success. Americana, a sub-genre of folk that combines traditional folk with country, rock, and blues elements, has also become increasingly popular, with acts like The Avett Brothers and The Civil Wars finding both critical and commercial acclaim.

Here are some of the top Americana artists making music today:

The Avett Brothers – This North Carolina band combines folk, bluegrass, country, and rock to create their unique sound. The Avett Brothers have released eight studio albums, the most recent of which is 2012’s “The Carpenter.”

The Civil Wars – Comprised of John Paul White and Joy Williams, The Civil Wars are a Grammy-winning duo from Alabama. Their 2011 album “Barton Hollow” was a critical and commercial success, earning them two Grammy Awards.

The Lumineers – Hailing from Colorado, The Lumineers mix folk with indie rock to create their signature sound. The Lumineers’ self-titled debut album was released in 2012 to critical acclaim, earning them two Grammy nominations.

The New Folk Movement

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, a new folk music movement began in the United States. This revival was led by a new generation of folk musicians who were inspired by the folk music of the past, but who also incorporated elements of other genres like rock, pop, and country.

Some of the most popular folk musicians today include:

-The Avett Brothers: A North Carolina-based band that combines elements of folk, rock, and bluegrass.
-Freelance Whales: A Brooklyn-based band that makes use of unusual instruments like the glockenspiel and banjo.
-Mumford & Sons: A British band that has achieved massive success in the U.S. with their brand of “folk-rock”.
-Of Monsters and Men: An Icelandic band whose song “Little Talks” was a huge hit in 2012.

The Top Folk Music Artists Today

In a world of ever-changing music genres, it can be hard to find your niche. But within the past few years, folk music has made a comeback in a big way. These are the top folk music artists today.

The Avett Brothers

The Avett Brothers are an American folk rock band formed in 2000 in Concord, North Carolina. The band is made up of two brothers, Scott Avett and Seth Avett, who play guitar and banjo respectively. They are joined by Bob Crawford on double bass and Joe Kwon on cello. Mike Marsh also plays drums for the band on occasion. The Avett Brothers have released eight studio albums, four live albums, one extended play, eighteen singles and eleven music videos. Their ninth studio album is set to be released in 2020.

The Avett Brothers have been praised for their throwback sound to early twentieth century Americana and their simple yet effective songwriting. In an interview with National Public Radio, Scott Avett said of their songwriting process: “I feel like we just try to write songs that feel good that we like playing live”. The band’s sound has been compared to that of The Beatles, Neil Young and Hank Williams Sr.

Mumford & Sons

Mumford & Sons is a British folk rock band. The group consists of Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett, Winston Marshall and Ted Dwane. Mumford & Sons has released three studio albums: Sigh No More, Babel and Wilder Mind. The band has also produced a number of EPs and live albums.

Mumford & Sons’ music is characterised by their use of acoustic instruments, such as banjo, Dobro, mandolin and acoustic guitar. Their sound has been described as “bluegrass-influenced folk-rock”. The group’s lyrics are about topics such as love, loss, faith and mortality.

The band has won several awards, including the Grammy Award for Album of the Year (Babel) and the Brit Award for Best British Group. They have also been nominated for several other awards, including three Grammy Awards and two Brit Awards.

The Lumineers

The Lumineers are an American folk rock band based in Denver, Colorado. The founding members are Wesley Schultz on guitar and lead vocals, and Jeremiah Fraites on drums and percussion. The Lumineers formed in 2005, and they released their eponymous debut album in April 2012. The album peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 chart and was certificated platinum in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. In 2013, two singles from the album, “Ho Hey” and “Stubborn Love”, peaked at number three and number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart respectively. In June 2016, the Lumineers released their second studio album Cleopatra. It reached the top spot of Billboard’s Folk Albums chart as well as peaked at number two on both the Billboard 200 chart and the UK Albums Chart

The Future of Folk Music

Folk music has been around for centuries, but it has undergone a resurgence in popularity in recent years. More and more people are turning to folk music for its simple beauty and authentic sound. But what does the future hold for folk music?

The Continued Popularity of Americana

Though it may seem that folk music is a thing of the past, in recent years there has been a resurgence in the popularity of Americana and roots music. Artists like The Lumineers, The Avett Brothers, Mumford & Sons, and The Head and the Heart have brought folk music back to the mainstream with their chart-topping hits.

What is it about this type of music that has made it so popular in recent years? One theory is that in a time when the world feels increasingly divisive, people are yearning for music that feels authentic and grounded. Folk music often tells stories of real people and their experiences, which can resonate deeply with listeners.

Whatever the reason for its renewed popularity, one thing is certain: folk music is here to stay. If you’re looking to get into the genre, or just want to expand your musical horizons, check out some of the top folk artists making waves today.

The Growth of the New Folk Movement

The new folk movement has been growing steadily in popularity over the past few years. A new generation of artists is taking the folk tradition and giving it a fresh perspective. These artists are blending traditional folk elements with modern styles to create a sound that is uniquely their own.

Some of the most popular new folk artists include The Lumineers, Of Monsters and Men, Mumford and Sons, and The Avett Brothers. These bands have found success by staying true to the folk tradition while also bringing something new to the table. They have succeeded in winning over both hardcore folk fans and casual listeners alike.

The future of folk music looks bright. With so many talented new artists emerging, it seems likely that the genre will continue to grow in popularity. Only time will tell what the next great folk artist will be, but one thing is for sure – the future of folk music is in good hands.

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