Finally Time for Folk: The Commercialization of Folk Music
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‘Ho Hey’ there! Do you know what to listen to when you’re feeling particularly granola?
I have the answer…
It’s folk music.
You’re not familiar?
All right, folks, grab your Birkenstocks and head to the mountains because this is going to be a journey!
American folk music took a heap of inspiration from various ethnic groups and people who settled in the East from Ireland, England, and Scotland. In the South, Africans and their descendants would sing and chant as they worked. This was the foundation for folk music to develop into the broad musical category it is now. The genre is deeply rooted in traditional Appalachian music, bluegrass, sea shanties, cowboy songs, and protest songs, amongst other facets of music. Throughout the United States’ history, folk music has come in and out of the mainstream. Especially during the 1960s, mass media and subculture allowed the genre to flourish and gain traction. Artists such as Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell were the faces of this time.
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While the genre has progressed, where is it now, and how is it commercialized?
Today, folk music has grown in popularity and has been featured in various TV/film productions. For example, in The Hunger Games: A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the lead character, Lucy Grey Baird, is known for her musical talents grounded in Appalachian music and bluegrass tones. The film is a wonderful example of the genre experiencing commercialization, as the Hunger Games is a worldwide franchise bringing billions to the box office.
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Continually, the genre has cross-pollinated with pop, indie, and country, to name a few. Some names to be on the lookout for are Noah Kahan, who features a bit more of a pop sound, Hozier, who features more of that gritty soul and blues sound, as well as a more country-centered artist named Zach Bryan. These artists are heavily featured in my playlists, and my go-to's for when I need to feel something. Each of these musical forces reached the top charts and gained a mass following, paving the way for genre crossover like we’ve never seen. Noah Kahan, in particular, has been on a quick rise to stardom, especially with his hit song “Northern Attitude.”
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Personally, I discovered folk music when I was about 14 years old while watching the TV show Reign; I found myself utterly enraptured by the music featured on the show. I’ve always been the person to listen to soundtracks fantasizing about myself being in absurdly cinematic scenarios, so, naturally, I began streaming the show’s theme song entitled “Scotland” by the Lumineers for an unhealthy amount of time. It’s been a feature on my Spotify Wrapped ever since.
In my opinion, The Lumineers are a “gateway drug” into the world of folk music. Not many other artists can highlight such a sense of rawness and provide comfort the way this group does. Their album “Cleopatra” is one of the best pieces of art I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing. By delving into this group's discography, I discovered parts of myself I had never understood. Today, this genre feels like home, even being so far from it during college.
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Nothing makes me want to drive through the mountains and swing off a rope into a lake like this music does. I wholeheartedly believe everyone can benefit from listening to this genre. You may need some tissues afterward, so be warned. The quality folk music brings to the table that makes it so appealing is authenticity. Anyone who listens will know the music they are digesting was made purely for the art, storytelling, and connection it brings to others. It doesn’t feel money-hungry and like it’s reaching for a number-one hit. This genre is getting the attention it deserves; It only feels right to take the time to understand its origins and to highlight some current leading artists. In my opinion, it’s finally time for folk.
Strike Out,
Writer: Dani Hernandez
Editor: Isabel Wilder
Tallahassee