Whether you’re in the mood for a beautiful guitar melody or a toe-tapping country rhythm, independent folk and country musicians have released some of the best music you can get your ears on.
I know how you feel. I love classic country and folk, but it’s sometimes hard to feed the family on what Hank, Johnny and Willie left us.
Don’t get going all old man on me just yet — I’m not talking about that kind of music “made on the microwave, instantly”. No, I’m talking about new folk and country groups you need to add to your playlist! These guys have a “classic sound.”
Folk and country music is alive and well, and you don’t have to look very far to find it as you have our Sunday Selection ready for you to explore.
In fact, we’ve got a playlist of some of the most promising new folk and country artists right here. We’ve included an eclectic mix of acoustic singer-songwriters, classic sounds with a fresh twist, and everything in between.
From artists like those who are bringing back the classic sound of folk music with their own unique twists on traditional songs, to those breaking ground with their own brand of modern folk—these are the artists you need to hear right now.
You can listen to our full playlist which contains the artists’ music, and know more about their work by scrolling down the page.
1) MOSES MIKHEYEV – Black Sky, White Moon
The independent folk and country music scene is booming, and it’s hard to keep up with who’s doing what. If you’re looking for a new artist to add to your playlists, MOSES MIKHEYEV is a great place to start.
MOSES MIKHEYEV is an indie folk artist based in Los Angeles, and he just released his single “Black Sky, White Moon.” It’s a classic sound with soft rock undertones that are perfect for relaxing or just chilling out after work.
The song has a lot of nostalgia to it as well—it feels like something you would have heard on the radio growing up. And it’s not just nostalgia: it’s also got some pretty incredible lyrics about love and hope!
If you’re looking for something new, modern, and that reminds you of something old-school, check out this song! Listen to his portfolio, visit his BandCamp and follow him on Spotify.
2) PAMELA HOPKINS – Straight Shooter
If you’re looking for a way to escape the heat, you might want to try listening to PAMELA HOPKINS.
The artist, who hails from Little Rock, AR, is an independent folk and country singer-songwriter with a classic sound that will make you feel like you’re in the middle of an old-timey movie.
Hopkins’ single “Straight Shooter” is super catchy and has a vibe that’s reminiscent of Sheryl Crow or Taylor Swift—but with more rock undertones than either of them.
Her voice is as powerful as it is soothing, which makes it perfect for any time you need a pick-me-up or some inspiration. And her lyrics are well-written and full of depth—she knows exactly how to turn a phrase in such a way that it leaves you feeling inspired – by someone who really knows what they’re doing.
If this sounds like something that might interest you, check out her songs, visit her website, and also follow her on Spotify.
3) KAREN HARDING – Drive Away
I’d been hearing about the Australian folk scene for a while now and knew that it was something I needed to explore. And then, one day, I stumbled upon Karen Harding on Spotify and immediately fell in love with her music.
Turns out she’s from Melbourne, Australia, which is where most of the folk acts are based—and there are so many amazing ones! I haven’t been able to stop listening to her tracks.
I think what makes Karen stand out so much is that she’s not just acoustic folk: she has a romantic pop sound and writes catchy lyrics. She uses great harmonies, and orchestral style, and has a unique voice that really shines through on tracks like “Drive Away.”
I highly recommend checking out her website; not only does it have some great info about her career thus far but you can also get to know her better. If you like what you hear, follow the artist on Spotify so you’ll be notified when new music comes out!
4) LUDLOW CREEK – Stoney Lonesome Road
I’m here to tell you that there’s a lot of great music out there, and it’s not all just pop and hip-hop.
You may have heard of the band Ludlow Creek—they’re a delicious blend of Americana, folk and country, a creative group of artists from Dayton, OH. Their single “Stoney Lonesome Road” is a beautiful song that is sure to put you in a relaxed mood.
I love this band because they have such a classic sound. They’re easy to listen to, with their soft band style, but they also have elements of folk and country music that make them unique.
The vocals are great—they’re easy to listen to and don’t grate on your ears after a while as some singers can do.
I would definitely recommend checking out Ludlow Creek if you like Americana or folk music! You can visit their website, watch their music video, and follow them on Spotify.
5) HERMITESS – Ace Of Cups
The Hermitess is a young, independent Canadian artist aka Jennifer Crighton, whose latest album Ace Of Cups is a collection of seven tracks that are equal parts folk, pop, avant-garde, electronic, ambient, house trance vibes and vocal dance. It’s all about experimentation and collaboration with other artists.
The album begins with the song “Spell” which is a collaboration with Morgan Greenwood. The track features vocals that are reminiscent of Björk and instrumentals reminiscent of Sia. The song is upbeat and joyous, perfect for starting your day or getting you through a tough one. It’s a kind of folk with an electronic vibe and is our favourite.
The other tracks are not very folk, nor country, but it’s good to try them out if you enjoy experimental music. You will find an ethereal quality to it while still maintaining an upbeat vibe throughout the songs. For example, the fifth track “Stillist City” feat Selci is a remix and has drum beats reminiscent of house music mixed with vocals that sound like they could be from an indie rock band like Florence + The Machine.
There are some tracks that remind us of Charli XCX. In fact, this entire album would be perfect for fans of those artists mentioned but also those who like Electronic Folk! Check it out, visit the artist’s website and follow on Spotify. You can listen to the entire album below, which is available on the artist’s Bandcamp as well.
6) PER PLOUG – Left To Bleed
Per Ploug is a folk independent artist from Ireland, Dalkey. This single, Left To Bleed, is the perfect way to get into his music. It’s full of down-to-earth lyrics and a classic sound that’s made for easy listening.
The song starts off with some light acoustic strumming and then it quickly transitions into an upbeat folk with romantic country vibes, a tune with some pop rock elements thrown in to make things even more interesting.
The instruments are mixed together perfectly so that you can hear everything clearly, but when it comes to the vocals, it’s impressive, but it’s all about the poetic lyrics.
Per Ploug has a deep voice that carries well over the soft instrumentation. His words are poetic and speak directly to what he’s singing about—his pain over losing someone who was once close to him but now lives in his memory.
You’ll want to check out Per Ploug’s website, listen to his portfolio, and follow him on Spotify so you can listen to more of his music!
7) HERALD K – Wandering Aengus
Herald K is an independent artist from Vienna, Austria. He has a soft sound that is reminiscent of classic folk and country music. The song Wandering Aengus is a cover, and one of my favourites from him. But you will for sure be lost in his collection. “Sinful Sound” is another great one!
Going back to his lastest release, the cover song Wandering Aengus, we can say it has a very nostalgic feeling and it reminds me of high-quality old-school music that we would have listened to in the 70s or 80s. It’s a perfect time journey.
The way Herald K plays his acoustic guitar makes it sound like he’s playing a different instrument like a mandolin or maybe even a banjo—it has that kind of twangy sound to it. It’s clear that Herald K knows how to play his instrument well, and he uses his talent effectively on this single track.
In addition to being talented at playing the guitar, Herald K has an amazing voice—he sings softly but clearly so that you can understand every word he sings without straining your ears or getting lost in the music itself. I’d definitely recommend checking out Herald K’s website as well as following him on Spotify!
8) CHRIS MCGINNIS – Tuesday
Chris McGinnis is a musician who represents the best of Americana. He is an alt-folk and country rock-style singer-songwriter with a soft, sweet voice that makes his songs feel like an old friend. His project’s visual is exactly from the past century, so it matches the sonic aspect of it.
His new single, “Tuesday”, is a perfect example of his style: it’s a sweet song about love and loss that manages to be both nostalgic and full of hope for the future.
The song has an infectious rhythm and blues vibe as well, that’ll get stuck in your head for days, but you won’t mind because it’s really enjoyable to listen to! It should be noted that this artist often sings about love lost or unrequited love in his songs. One could say that this is one of the themes he explores most often throughout his body of work so far!
If you’re looking for something new bleeding folk and country rock to add to your playlist, Chris McGinnis is the perfect artist for you. So if you like his sound, check out his website and learn more about him and where he’ll be playing next. You can also follow him on Spotify!
9) TERRATARA – A Love, Tantalize
Terratara is a folk-pop singer-songwriter from both countries, USA and Canada, in the Slocan region. She has been making music for a long time, but her latest single “A Love, Tantalize” is what really caught my attention.
The song has an acoustic sound, with roots in reggae and folk-pop. It’s super catchy and has a relaxed vibe, perfect for this time of year when we need to relax after the holidays are over. The vocals are soft, which goes well with the classic sounds of the instruments that back them up.
It’s clear that Terratara has been singing for years—her voice sounds incredible! Her lyrics are also poetic and beautiful; they make me want to listen closely so I can understand all of their meaning. It’s very obvious and expresses her love for someone she hasn’t seen in a long time or is far away.
Overall, this song is really good! I highly recommend checking it out by visiting her website and following her on Spotify where you can find more music by her.
10) NOELLE TOLAND – Sun Will Rise
We just thought the best way to describe the music of Nashville-based artist Noelle Toland is “Americana and country” but that’s not quite right. It’s more like country pop with a folk influence, but that doesn’t quite cover it either. Maybe it’s just “amazing music”?
Whatever you call it, Noelle Toland’s Sun Will Rise is a single that will make you want to sing along and dance around your living room feeling the emotion she expresses through her voice and the choir-style backing vocals. It’s quite romantically epic!
Her songs are normally upbeat and lighthearted, but they always have a strong soulful and emotional core—often expressed through powerful female vocals (which makes sense when you learn that Toland herself is a singer-songwriter), but you can also find some songs for a romantic dance, such as I Want To See You Again.
Her latest release, “Sun Will Rise”, is an anthem of hope in spite of adversity; it has an uplifting message about how even when life seems dark, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. Check it out, visit the artist’s website and follow on Spotify.
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