Sing Out’s Folkfinds task force plumbs the depths of social music media to bring you the best amateur, local, regional and/or generally under appreciated makers of folk music of all stripes, from traditionals to contemporary hybrids. While we certainly hope to generate interest in these wonderful independent musicians, their music, and the scenes they represent, we also hope to encourage Sing Out! readers to make their own discoveries by exploring the broader world of online music making communities.
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Folkfinds: Rob Fong’s “Katy Hill”
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/181834312″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /] For those concerned about traditional music’s appeal to the youth today, this week’s Folkfinds is Rob Fong of Asheville, NC. Rob fell in love with Southern traditional music a few years ago and … Continue reading →
Folkfinds: Martin Kirwan’s “Ward’s Jig”
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/181325056″ params=”color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /] Martin Kirwan is a young Irish gardener, family man and guitarist who’s been delighting his Soundcloud fanbase for the past two years with his exuberance and deft picking influenced by the likes of … Continue reading →
Folkfinds: Phlip Smith’s “Old Betty Larkin”
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/146088004″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /] In the days of Youtube and Spotify, it can be hard to remember that not that long ago the only means of learning a song was via oral tradition or sheet music. It … Continue reading →
Folkfinds: John Daniel Lane’s “Walk Along John to Kansas”
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/231734634″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /] Midwestern fiddler John Daniel Lane takes a panoramic high-definition view of American fiddle music and clearly enjoys experimenting with different styles. There’s a distinct and acknowledged John Hartford influence to his playing and … Continue reading →
Folkfinds: Mat Walklate’s “Cold In Hand”
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/90564026″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /] English harmonica wiz Mat Walklate is another incredibly versatile performer on his instrument. While his focus can vary depending on which of the several bands he’s playing with, he works predominantly in Irish … Continue reading →
Folkfinds: John Walkenbach & Friends’ “Opera Reel”
[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/238083895″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /] We didn’t realize it when we picked this week’s tune, but old-time instrumentalist John Walkenbach has been tangentially featured in Folkfinds previously; he is among the old-time mentors Mexican banjo picker Juan Cordero … Continue reading →