Chris Ho – “Borrowed books”-There’s something gently rewarding about this track from Chris Ho. The acoustic guitar works in perfect balance with the backing track on this one. The overall energy is genuinely calming. If you’re a book lover (like many music lovers, …
Tag Archives: experimental folk
Album Review: Ethan Gruska’s 2020 album En Garde
Ethan Gruska is an amazing songwriter who has written a number of songs you’ve heard and loved, but maybe didn’t know it. This song is a folk masterclass, incorporating lyrics that are critical of the music industry and modern society. More than anything, …
Album Review: 5J Barrow – From the Dim, Sweet Light (NMF Ep 62 Winners)
If you like big folk sounds, you’ll enjoy the new 5J Barrow album. They’re a fun and experimental folk sound. In other words, this isn’t exactly Woody Guthrie folk music. There are layers of complicated sounds on this album. The opening “Talking My …
Artist Feature: Emerging folk singer Cale Hawkins (NMF Winner Ep 59)
Cale Hawkins’s track “The Ferryman” was one of the most gripping first-listen “wow” reactions I’ve had all year. It really is that kind of powerful influence and I can’t totally explain why. Whether it’s the intricate lyrics or the overall theatrical feeling of …
Album Review: The Orchardist – Dirt on Your Hands
Some artists have this incredible ability to sing every lyric as if it has eternal significance and the Orchardist is one of those bands. If you want some indication of the caliber of humans involved in this endeavor, check out their purpose from …
Yesper – Senses Sensei – Esoteric, smart singer songwriter
From the moment I first found Yesper I knew he was a special talent. It’s that kind of quirky different that made everyone raise their eyebrows at Yellow Submarine after I Wanna Hold Your Hand. It’s not bad or weird different, just different …
We are the West – Regards – Engaging experimental folk duo
Regards is a short three song EP that highlights a unique brand of experimental folk music. I thought about pairing it with a few other folk albums, but honestly it stands on its own. We are the West are a wonderfully comfortable group, …
Ten folk bands for 2014 – at the very last minute!
Quite an amazing amount of great music came through our earphones in 2014 and it’s tough to cover it all. Instead of leaving a bunch totally uncovered, here’s a list of some phenomenal folk music to check out, download, and ultimately support by …
We are the Willows – Picture (Portrait) – Thoughtful, WWII-themed, string-filled folk music
We are the Willows have a captivating sound, with gorgeous layered strings which are a bit more than the typical five piece folk outfit out today but still shy of a truly orchestral sound. Rather, the music feels like an intimate blend of complicated …
