You’re maybe tired of mainstream music, which is mostly produced by major labels. Independent music is always searched for, as songwriters create their own voices and tell about real situations and emotions.
Folk culture has always been very important in America—it’s a staple in our past, present, and future. We’ve got a long history of folk music influencing the way we live, whether it be as simple as listening to an old-timey song while we’re doing chores or as complex as taking inspiration from Bob Dylan’s lyrics in order to create our own music.
Independent folk musicians are definitely making their mark on the scene right now with some great new releases! But what makes them so special? Well… there are a lot of reasons! First of all, they’re independent! That means they don’t have any labels telling them what kind of music they should be playing or how much money they should spend on marketing campaigns.
Youth culture is the target market for this kind of music. In recent years, there has been an emergence of independent folk bands. As awareness grows with listeners looking for different styles of folk music and folk electric bands, this scene will only grow stronger.
You can listen to our full playlist which contains the artists’ music, and know more about their work by scrolling down the page.
1) DYLAN GOFF – untethered (side two)
It is with great pleasure to announce the release of Dylan Goff‘s second EP, untethered (side two).
Dylan Goff is an Austrian singer-songwriter who has crafted a unique sound that mixes elements of folk, pop, and indie music. The result is a fresh take on the classic singer-songwriter genre that will keep you coming back for more.
Featuring five mature, lyrically rich songs about the human condition, this EP explores nuances and challenges. They describe getting older, navigating life in a new way, and struggling with vulnerability and despair.
Dylan’s music is introspective and poetic and often draws influence from indie bands like Frightened Rabbit and The National, while continuing the storytelling tradition of Irish folk acts like Luke Kelly and Christy Moore.
My favourite track from this EP is ”Walking in a Photograph (acoustic)”. It reminds me of early Bob Dylan, that’s why it got my attention so much. It’s a beautiful song and the guitar blends in with the vocals perfectly making it pleasing to listen to!
If you’re looking for something new to listen to and enjoy—but still want something familiar at its core—then check out untethered (side two). It’s available on Spotify now! And visit his website also!
2) JEWELIA – Life Is A Highway
JEWELIA is a singer-songwriter artist from London, UK. Their latest single is called Life Is A Highway, and it’s an easy-listening acoustic folk-pop song that will have you feeling like you’re driving down the highway with the windows down, feeling free as a bird.
With a heartwarming song expressing the beauty of every day, Jewelia begins the new year with a great anthem. The new song ‘Life is a Highway’ breathes fresh air into your ears with its gentle guitar, light percussion and carefree vocals, and it was released on January 20th of this year.
The song is relaxing and uplifting at the same time, making it perfect for sitting back and unwinding after a long day at work or school. If you’re looking for something cute and fun but still soulful enough to listen to all day long (or just whenever), this is definitely one to check out!
Jewelia’s music is easy listening and relaxing but it also has a powerful message that hits close to home for many of us. I definitely recommend checking out Jewelia’s website, and her Spotify as well!
3) AMYA-RAY – Love Is Poison
If you’re looking for a new artist to get into, look no further. Meet Amya-Ray, a singer-songwriter based in the UK who produces dreamy pop music that’s equal parts folk, folktronica, and dream pop.
In the past few years, Amya-Ray has released a slew of rich and alluring tracks, and now she returns with ‘Love Is Poison’.
A singer-songwriter with a unique blend of ambient, soulful vocals, and dreamy pop fusion, Amya-Ray is rooted in the everyday. Her shows are intimate experiences, with songs drawn directly from personal experiences and delivered with unflinching honesty on the hopes, fears, and frustrations of a young woman in the modern world.
Amber Ray’s “Love Is Poison,” is a perfect example of this kind of music. It’s the kind of music that makes you feel like you’re sitting in a cosy cabin somewhere, drinking tea and listening to your favourite records while snow falls outside your window.
AMYA-RAY’s music is so fresh that we can’t help but be inspired by it—we’ll be playing it on our next road trip! If you need some inspiration yourself, check her out on Spotify or visit her website to learn more.
4) MEADOW ARGUS – Dancing Through A Slow Apocalypse
If you’re looking for some new music, check out the EP ‘Dancing Through A Slow Apocalypse’ by Meadow Argus!
There are bangers and anthemic pieces that will have you dancing through your own slow apocalypse. The beats are quirky and edgy—but not too super edgy—and the vocals range from male to female.
A few words from Meadow about the EP he has written: ‘’Dancing Through a Slow Apocalypse’ was written and recorded in 2021 as part of my music studies at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Here in Australia, we were all in various states of Covid disruption and lockdown. The songs on this EP address the very personal issues that we were all forced to face during this time.”
My favourite song from the EP is ”No Company”. It’s a fast-paced song that will surely get you moving along! It’s got some amazing products, and the song blends in with everything else perfectly!
If you’re looking for something different from what you normally hear on the radio today, then check out Meadow Argus’ music! You can visit his website or follow him on Spotify!
5) TERRY BLADE – Ethos
TERRY BLADE is an independent artist who has been making waves lately. His new album, Ethos, is a collection of songs that reflects his love for Americana, Blues, Soul and Folk Rock.
This is what Terry Blade has to say about the song: ”The term “ethos” as used in the album’s title refers to the morals, values and beliefs of an individual or an entire culture. The album seeks to communicate my ethos to the listener through an exploration of my personal experiences. This time around, I chose to experiment with a completely different sound–American roots music. I wanted to show that “black music” includes traditional Americana music.”
It’s got a classic sound, with influences ranging from folk rock to blues to soul rock. It’s also got some really great vocals–the kind that makes you feel like you’re listening to an old friend sing his heart out in your living room.
‘Won’t be around’ is my favourite track from the album. It’s a slow-paced blues/balled-like song. I think it’s something very new, I can’t fit it somewhere specifically. It feels good listening to it. The lyrics are amazing and well-written. Everything blends really well in this song, from the guitar to the voice.
You can find it on Spotify or visit Terry’s website for more info about him and his work!
6) JOSHUA KETCHMARK – No Stopping Us
It’s no secret that the United States is a melting pot of music, with influences coming from all over the world. It’s also no secret that Nashville is one of the most important cities when it comes to Americana and folk rock music.
If you’re looking for a new artist to listen to, I highly recommend Joshua Ketchmark. He’s an American singer-songwriter who lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
But what if you could combine those two things? What if you could take the Americana and folk rock sounds of Nashville and make them even more accessible? That’s what Joshua Ketchmark has done with his latest single!
The single “No Stopping Us” is an anthemic rock song that will make you want to get up and dance. It has a classic sound with soft rock influences, which makes it easy to listen to but also keeps your interest from start to finish.
As the first track from Joshua Ketchmark’s tenth studio album ‘BLOOD,’ ‘No Stopping Us’ is a powerful song with a strong message.
“We were right outside of glory”, the chorus of this song exclaims, and it offers a glimpse into the coming of age.
If you like this song, check out more of Joshua Ketchmark’s work on Spotify or visit his website!
7) ARN-IDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS AND ALIEN FRIENDS – I Dreamt I Met Elvis
ARN-IDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS AND ALIEN FRIENDS is a Swedish singer-songwriter band that has been making waves in the indie pop rock scene. Their latest single, “I Dreamt I Met Elvis,” is a banger of a track that will have you singing along and dancing around your house in no time.
In addition to being an ode to a great singer, this song is a tale of longing – a longing for a sense of meaning or for the love of your life. The fine singer Stefan Peterson of Mother James shares leads with Arne Floryd (and sings the crazy high notes in the chorus). Andreas Quincy Dahlbäck plays the drums.
The band’s sound is best described as country folk with a dash of pop rock thrown in for good measure. The vocals are smooth and soothing–perfect for relaxing after a long day at work or winding down before bedtime. The instrumentals are upbeat but not overpowering, so they don’t distract from the overall vibe of the song.
The vocals are super edgy and classic, with a hint of soft rock. The guitar work is beautiful and melodic, with just the right amount of distortion and power pop to give it a modern twist. The drums are simple but effective–they keep the beat going without distracting from the music itself.
If you’re looking for something new to add to your playlist, check out ARN-IDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS AND ALIEN FRIENDS on Spotify!
8) DAVE BURN – Medium Dave
If you’re looking for something to listen to on your commute or while you’re getting ready for work, look no further than the latest EP from Dave Burn. The UK-based singer-songwriter has been making waves in the indie folk scene.
The EP is an acoustic delight that combines elements of Americana, folk-pop and power pop into a cohesive whole that never feels forced or contrived. The songs feature catchy melodies and harmonies that will be stuck in your head all day long–but not in a bad way!
This EP is called ”Medium Dave”, and it’s all about finding magic in mediocrity as well as the joy that can come from laziness. Burn’s voice is powerful yet soothing at the same time, which makes it easy to get lost in his lyrics whether you’re listening actively or just zoning out while doing everyday tasks around the house.
His songs are also full of cultural references that give them a sense of authenticity. We don’t really get good artists like this who are authentic and stay true to what they like!
My favourite song from the EP is ”Two Steps Behind”. It’s a smooth and slow-paced song, with a great melody and also great lyrics. The song blends everything really well and it doesn’t feel oversaturated after all!
If you’re looking for some acoustic music that will get stuck in your head for days, check out this EP on Spotify and visit Dave Burn’s website to learn more about him!
9) SIMON LINSTEADT – Desolation
The single Desolation by Simon Linsteadt is a folk-influenced song that has been described as a mix of Alt-Folk, Folktronica and Indie Folk. The vocals are warm and expressive, with a lo-fi guitar-sounding finish.
With a lo-fi guitar sound that evokes the best of 60s psych rock, Linsteadt’s vocals are both powerful and soothing—the perfect combination for any songwriter looking to create something truly original and stand out from the crowd.
“Desolation” is a piece that Simon has held onto for a handful of years. Mostly, it’s about his recurring dreams in which he travels through an uncanny and alien landscape.
He finally decided to record the song using a voice-transforming device through which he played the notes on a guitar and sang through a microphone when he felt it was time.
The tone of this song is very nostalgic and reflective, making it perfect for people who like listening to songs about US-based culture or anyone who likes psychedelic music.
If you’re looking for something new to listen to, check out Simon Linsteadt’s website, Spotify and Bandcamp page!
10) LUKE FREES – Most Of The Time
Luke Frees is a singer-songwriter from Chicago, IL. His single “Most Of The Time” is a classic piece of Americana, with acoustic rock and folk influences. The song’s lyrics are nostalgic and relatable, as they tell the story of someone who’s feeling lonely and missing their lover.
His latest single “Most Of The Time” is a perfect example of what he does best: it’s an easy-listening song that will make you feel relaxed while also giving you goosebumps at the same time. It’s definitely worth checking out
”Most Of The Time” captures the worst part of a breakup: when you realize all the memories, all the inside jokes, all the lights-out-in-bed conversations will fade away over time. During the first few months after a breakup, you really don’t want to lose those memories, so you try your hardest not to let them go.
Frees also has a distinct style that sets him apart from his contemporaries. He’s got an edge to his voice that makes it clear that he isn’t just singing about love lost or heartbreak; he’s singing about real life.
If you’re into acoustic rock or folk music, then this single is definitely worth checking out! You can visit his website. You can also follow him on Spotify!
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