Exploring Music Genres: Folk

Folk music is a voice for the people that is built upon storytelling, cultural identity, and tradition. Folk music is a genre known for its musical simplicity and lyrics that tell real stories. The genre has been passed down through generations, making it one of the oldest musical traditions ever. Folk has shaped countless genres and continues to influence media today, reminding us of the power of shared human experiences. 

Folk music doesn’t trace back to one single starting point; instead, the music genre developed independently in many cultures around the world. However, folk music’s major roots trace back to Africa, Europe, and indigenous cultures around the world, each with their own unique rendition of folk music. Folk music originally began millennia ago as an oral tradition, long before music existed as we know it. The earliest forms of folk songs were created by ordinary people and were passed down through generations, often changing with time. Folk music reflects the lives of everyday people and has influenced many musical traditions. Folk songs were sung by labourers such as sailors, factory workers, farmers, etc., to keep rhythm during work and tell stories. In the early 1900s, scholars began to collect and write folk songs in order to preserve them. Later, in the 1930s to 1950s, the genre became heavily tied to protest movements, especially in America and the United Kingdom. In the 1960s, folk music was brought into mainstream media by its artists, who mixed traditional sounds with modern issues. Today, folk has evolved to adapt to digital technology and other modern influences, but it remains a genre of expression. 

Traditionally, in the earliest days of folk music, it was not recorded and instead performed live and passed down. Early recordings of folk music were raw, unpolished, and simple, often done live with minimal equipment. Today, modern folk production aims for a natural and organic sound. To achieve this, light mixing that focuses on clarity rather than heavy effects, barely any electronic processing, and an emphasis on acoustic space are used. Folk music is known for its acoustic and traditional instrument palette. Folk songs typically use either acoustic or classical guitar, banjo, fiddle, flute, accordion, hand percussion, and mandolin. However, depending on the culture, folk music may also feature indigenous instruments or simple rhythmic tools like clapping. Folk vocals are usually clear, natural, and expressive rather than being heavily edited and processed. They are often made to sound intimate. The lyrics often explore themes of social and political issues, work, travelling, rural life, and everyday struggles. 

Throughout its history, folk music has gained a number of successful artists who shaped the genre. Bob Dylan debuted in March of 1962 and became a central figure in folk music. His revolutionary songwriting brought poetry, social commentary, and political activism into mainstream music. One year after his debut, he released the song “Blowin’ in the Wind,” which became an anthem for civil rights movements. Debuting in 1960, Joan Baez became a leading voice in the revival of folk music in the 1960s due to her pure vocals. In 1975, she released the song “Diamonds & Rust,” which blended traditional folk with more modern production techniques. Woody Guthrie debuted in 1935 and was one of the earliest and most influential American folk musicians. He released the song “This Land is Your Land” in 1944. The song highlights inequality and unity and recently saw a minor resurgence on TikTok.  

Folk music remains a vital part of today’s music because it continues to reflect real people, stories, and issues. Although folk is not always at the top of the charts, the genre’s influence can be heard everywhere. Today, its ongoing relevance shows that audiences still value honest lyrics and simple yet expressive sounds.