How Underground FM Radio Saved Rock
This is what happened when college-age music enthusiasts raided empty FM radio studios and played whatever turned them on.
folk
Moses Sumney’s Self-Aware Icarus
With 2017’s Aromanticism, Moses Sumney negotiates the self as body and spirit and attempts to reconcile his emotions and sexuality with his religion.
Adeline Hotel’s ‘Whodunnit’ Beautifully Reflects on Breaking Up
Adeline Hotel’s ever-prolific Dan Knishkowy turns inward on his new album, Whodunnit, divorced but devoid of bitterness or blame.
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings Trace Landscapes of Connection and Resilience
Throughout Woodland, Americana songwriters Gillian Welch and David Rawlings underscore the sinews of relationships that are stretched but never torn.
What If They Had a Folk Festival and Nobody Protested?
What if they had a folk festival and nobody protested? Evanston, Illinois hosted its first folk festival without politics from its stages.
Sima Cunningham Soars and Soothes on the Brilliant ‘High Roller’
The different lyrical, musical, and emotional avenues indie folk’s Sima Cunningham travels throughout High Roller shows an artist overflowing with ideas.
Moira Smiley Calls for Peace and Community on ‘The Rhizome Project’
It would be unfair to put Moira Smiley’s work in a single box, but it seems fitting to note how fully she embodies the core ideals of contemporary folk music.
Caleb Caudle Tells Stories of the South on ‘Sweet Critters’
Caleb Caudle has a soft spot for the natural beauty of the South, its woodlands and memories of the people who live there, and that’s just part of the story.
Mark Ambor’s ‘Rockwood’ Looks at the Bright Side of Life
Singer-songwriter Mark Ambor prefers the sunlight over the moon, literally and metaphorically. Living for today doesn’t have to mean forgetting the past.
Andrew Combs Paints ‘Dream Pictures’ in Blues and Gold
Andrew Combs’ new album serves as the robin in spring, a sign that seasons have changed. It’s not a chronicle of happiness as much as a statement of normalcy.
Ugandan Master Storyteller Ekuka Morris Sirikiti Is Spellbinding
Ekuka Morris Sirikiti’s work reminds us that he and his traditions are very much still here, not artifacts of old media but flesh and blood, spirit and sound.
The Best Artists of the Newport Folk Festival 2024
The esteemed Newport Folk Festival has consistently challenged the notion of folk music. The 2024 edition continued to defy traditions.