| Indie folk | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Alternative folk |
| Stylistic origins | |
| Cultural origins | 1990s |
| Regional scenes | |
| Senja (genre) | |
| Other topics | |
Indie folk (also calledalternative folk) is analternative genre of music that arose in the 1990s among musicians fromindie rock scenes influenced byfolk music.
The staff ofPaste Magazine said in 2020: "No music genre is particularly easy to define, but “indie folk” is about as nebulous as they come."[2] Indie folk hybridizes theacoustic guitar melodies oftraditional folk music with contemporary instrumentation. The lyrical style commonly includes raw emotional experiences, social commentary and an introspective lens.[3] The genre blends the ethos and experimental nature of indie music with the storytelling of folk music. Instruments frequently used in the genre include guitars, banjos, mandolins, and ukuleles.[4]
John Lennon andBob Dylan have been cited as influences for indie folk, withPhoebe Bridgers stating, "I love John Lennon,” she continues “Easily best Beatle. He’s been such an icon for so many people who are my heroes, likeElliott Smith andDaniel Johnston".[5] Additionally,The Velvet Underground influenced the genre with their raw and experimental music, which had a profound impact on all alternative and indie genres.[6] Other Influences includeElvis Costello,Leonard Cohen,Neil Young,[7]Simon and Garfunkel,The Byrds,Nico, andJoni Mitchell.
The genre has its earliest origins in 1990s folk artists who displayed alternative rock influences in their music, such asAni DiFranco andDan Bern, and acoustic artists such as Elliott Smith andWill Oldham.[1][8] In the following decade, labels such asSaddle Creek,Barsuk, Ramseur, andSub Pop helped to provide support to indie folk,[8] with artists such asFleet Foxes breaking into thepop charts with albums such asHelplessness Blues.[9][10][11][12][13]
In theUnited Kingdom, artists such asBen Howard[14][15][16][17] andMumford & Sons[18][19][20] emerged, with the latter band promoting the music style through their Gentlemen of the Road touring festivals.[21][22][23] The success of acts like Mumford & Sons led some music journalists likePopjustice'sPeter Robinson labelling this new British music scene as The New Boring or Beige Pop.[24][25][26][20] A decade later, the terms "stomp and holler," "stomp clap hey," and "hoedown pop" were coined to refer retrospectively, sometimes with endearment, to such bands.[27] However, most of the time, "stomp clap hey" and similar terms are used in a derogatory way, with the release ofKyle Gordon's "We Will Never Die" (recorded under the pseudonym of Kody Redwing and the Broken Hearts) popularizing hatred of 2010s indie folk.
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In the late 2010s and in the 2020s, artists such asTaylor Swift,Phoebe Bridgers, andJulien Baker revived interest in the genre with Swift'sFolklore andEvermore, as well as Bridgers'Punisher and Baker'sSprained Ankle,Turn Out the Lights, andLittle Oblivions. Bridgers cites Elliott Smith as a foundational influence on her sound.[28]
