Ambient folk

The musical genre Ambient folk, a fusion between the atmospheric sounds of Ambient music and the storytelling elements of folk music, has gained considerable recognition over the past couple of decades. The term "Ambient folk" was first introduced in the 1990s, yet its history can be traced back to the 1960s. Initially, the roots of Ambient folk can be found in the psychedelic and experimental folk movement that emerged in the 1960s. Musicians such as Donovan, Nick Drake, and Tim Buckley, experimented with non-standard tunings, unconventional chords, and poetic lyrics, creating a unique sound that captured the essence of the counterculture movement of the era. In the 1970s, the emergence of Ambient music marked a significant shift in the musical landscape. Musicians such as Brian Eno and Tangerine Dream, embraced new technology and explored the potential of electronic soundscapes to create dreamy, introspective, and immersive soundscapes. The influence of Ambient music on other genres, particularly on rock and experimental music, paved the way for the emergence of the genre as a new form of expression. With the advent of the 1990s, a range of musicians from different backgrounds started to experiment with blending Ambient and folk music. British singer-songwriter Vashti Bunyan released her album "Just Another Diamond Day" in 1970, featuring pastoral-inspired folk songs combined with ethereal string arrangements, and was one of the earliest examples of ambient folk. Another notable example of Ambient folk is the collaboration between Harold Budd and the Cocteau Twins' Robin Guthrie on the 1986 album "The Moon and The Melodies." The album showcased Guthrie's atmospheric guitar work and Budd's minimalistic piano playing, creating lush and dream-like soundscapes that put the listener into a meditative state. In the 1990s, the emergence of post-rock helped push Ambient folk into new directions. Bands such as Sigur Rós and Godspeed You! Black Emperor, incorporated elements of Ambient and folk music into their experimental compositions, creating works that were often cinematic in scope and emphasized repetitive motifs, sound textures, and the blending of acoustic and electronic instrumentation. The 2000s saw a plethora of artists who continued to explore the genre, such as Iron and Wine, Bon Iver, and Fleet Foxes, whose indie-folk sound was infused with Ambient elements. One of the most significant contributors to the genre in recent years has been Julianna Barwick, whose loop-based vocal performances explore the emotive potential of Ambient music.

Joanna Newsom: An accomplished harpist and vocalist, Joanna Newsom's music blends folk, classical, and ambient influences into an entirely unique sound. Her songs are often characterized by lush, intricate arrangements and fantastical, poetic lyrics. Iron & Wine: Iron & Wine (real name Samuel Beam) is a singer-songwriter who has released a number of highly praised albums since the early 2000s. His music is characterized by its atmospheric, dreamlike quality, with lush acoustic instrumentation and gently strummed guitars. Sufjan Stevens: Sufjan Stevens is a singer and multi-instrumentalist known for his evocative, emotionally rich folk and experimental music. His work often features intricate arrangements that blend acoustic instruments with electronic textures, creating a complex and immersive sonic landscape. Fleet Foxes: This Seattle-based band has received widespread acclaim for their lush, harmony-rich indie folk sound. The band's music is characterized by its lush, layered instrumentation and haunting, introspective lyrics. Sigur Rós: Icelandic band Sigur Rós has established themselves as one of the most highly-regarded ambient and post-rock groups of the past two decades. Their music often features soaring, ethereal vocals, cinematic strings, and otherworldly soundscapes. Bon Iver: Bon Iver (real name Justin Vernon) is a singer-songwriter and producer known for his haunting, experimental indie folk music. His work often features intricate, layered instrumentation and atmospheric, ambient textures. Nick Drake: Nick Drake's music has become legendary among fans of folk and acoustic music, despite his relatively short career. His intimate, poetic songwriting and delicate fingerpicking guitar style have had a lasting impact on the genre. Vashti Bunyan: Vashti Bunyan is a British singer-songwriter who released only one album in the late 1960s, but has since become a cult favorite among folk fans. Her music is characterized by its tender, hauntingly beautiful vocals and sparse, acoustic instrumentation. The Microphones/Mount Eerie: The Microphones and its successor project Mount Eerie (both led by Phil Elverum) have released numerous albums that marry atmospheric ambient sounds and folk instrumentation with deeply personal, introspective lyrics. Grouper: Grouper (real name Liz Harris) is an experimental musician known for her hauntingly beautiful, often-ambient music that blends folk, drone, and ambient genres. Her music is characterized by its sparse instrumentation and ethereally beautiful vocals.

1. "Music for Airports" by Brian Eno 2. "The Pearl" by Harold Budd and Brian Eno 3. "Disintegration Loops" by William Basinski 4. "Spirit of Eden" by Talk Talk 5. "Selected Ambient Works 85-92" by Aphex Twin 6. "Moon and the Melodies" by Harold Budd, Elizabeth Fraser, Robin Guthrie, and Simon Raymonde 7. "Music Has the Right to Children" by Boards of Canada 8. "Hiljadu Godina" by Vashti Bunyan 9. "Lament" by Grouper 10. "The Tired Sounds of Stars of the Lid" by Stars of the Lid 11. "Takk..." by Sigur Rós 12. "Melody of Certain Damaged Lemons" by Blonde Redhead 13. "Feather and Bees" by Donovan Quinn 14. "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" by Neutral Milk Hotel 15. "Adrift" by A Winged Victory for the Sullen 16. "Phaedra" by Tangerine Dream 17. "The Milk-Eyed Mender" by Joanna Newsom 18. "Avalon" by Roxy Music 19. "Mysterious Skin" by Robin Guthrie and Harold Budd 20. "The North Star Grassman and the Ravens" by Sandy Denny 21. "Quiet City" by Aaron Martin & Dag Rosenqvist 22. "Drag City" by Bonnie "Prince" Billy 23. "Give Her the Gift" by Linda Perhacs 24. "The Hour of Bewilderbeast" by Badly Drawn Boy 25. "Grace Cathedral Park" by Red House Painters

In his book "Electric Eden: Unearthing Britain's Visionary Music," author Rob Young reflects on the emergence of the ambient folk genre in the UK music scene. He says, "In the 21st century, 'folk' has become a floating signifier specialising in the recycling of genre archetypes, working interchangeably with Americana, punk, and electronica in the construction of hybrid sounds." In her article for Pitchfork, writer Lindsay Zoladz describes ambient folk as a genre that "conjures images of rolling hills and pastoral nostalgia, while also evoking the disorientation of modern life and a sense of the uncanny." She adds, "It's a genre that tends to feel elemental and infinite, but also grounded in personal stories and lived experiences." Folk musician Marissa Nadler, who is often associated with ambient folk, describes the genre as "a kind of dreamlike, otherworldly music that puts the listener in a kind of trance." In an interview with The Quietus, she adds, "It's a genre that's not defined by a particular sound or instrumentation, but more by a mood or atmosphere." Ambient musician Brian Eno is often credited with spawning the genre of ambient music, which in turn has influenced the development of ambient folk. In his book "A Year With Swollen Appendices," Eno explains the concept behind ambient music, saying, "Ambient Music must be able to accommodate many levels of listening attention without enforcing one in particular; it must be as ignorable as it is interesting." In his review of the album "Aromanticism" by Moses Sumney - an artist who is often associated with ambient folk - writer Patrick Lyons observes, "Sumney's music is a fusion of classic singer-songwriter soul with the hushed, atmospheric textures of ambient music. It's a blend that can feel surprisingly seamless, as if ruminative introspection and immersive soundscapes have always been two sides of the same coin." Writer David Keenan has also written extensively on ambient folk in his book "England's Hidden Reverse: A Secret History of the Esoteric Underground." He describes the genre as "a fetishization of the rural, of a countryside that exists only in memory and myth, authored by city dwellers who crave the authenticity of a culture they feel is lost." He adds, "It's a music that offers an escape from the harsh realities of modern living, while also acknowledging them in a way that feels cathartic."

The social and cultural context of ambient folk can be traced back to the indie folk movement of the early 2000s. Artists such as Iron & Wine and Sufjan Stevens gained popularity with their lo-fi, acoustic-based music, which drew heavily from traditional folk music. This led to a revival of interest in traditional folk music, both in the United States and abroad. At the same time, there was a growing interest in ambient music, particularly among younger music fans. Ambient music, which is characterized by its use of electronic and acoustic instruments to create a sense of space and atmosphere, had been around since the 1970s but had largely been overlooked by mainstream audiences. Against this backdrop, a number of artists began to experiment with combining traditional folk music with ambient music. One of the earliest examples of this was the album "The Milk of Human Kindness" by Caribou frontman Dan Snaith under his Manitoba moniker. The album, released in 2003, featured heavily manipulated samples of traditional folk instruments such as dulcimers and banjos, resulting in an otherworldly sound. Other notable early practitioners of ambient folk include Grouper, Marissa Nadler, and Mount Eerie. These artists used drones, reverb, and other effects to create a dreamy, atmospheric sound that was both haunting and comforting. Ambient folk was also influenced by the burgeoning neo-folk scene in Europe. Acts such as Current 93 and Death in June drew heavily from traditional folk music, but added a darker, more experimental edge. This influence can be heard in the music of artists such as Richard Skelton and Benoît Pioulard, who combined elements of neo-folk with ambient music to create a unique sound. One of the most influential figures in the development of ambient folk is Liz Harris, who records under the name Grouper. Harris's music, which incorporates field recordings, tape loops, and heavily treated vocals, is often described as "ghostly" or "haunted." Her 2008 album "Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill" is considered a landmark in the genre, and has inspired countless imitators. Another important figure in the ambient folk scene is the record label Kranky. Founded in Chicago in 1993, Kranky has been home to some of the most important ambient and experimental musicians of the past few decades, including Tim Hecker and Stars of the Lid. The label has released several influential ambient folk albums, including "Dragging a Dead Deer Up a Hill" and "The Man Who Died in His Boat" by Grouper, as well as albums by Benoît Pioulard and Richard Skelton. In recent years, ambient folk has continued to evolve and mutate. One of the most exciting new voices in the genre is Kacey Johansing, whose music combines the dreamy, atmospheric sound of ambient folk with elements of indie pop and jazz. Meanwhile, Seattle-based label Self Center Records has been putting out a steady stream of beautiful, idiosyncratic ambient folk releases by artists such as Emily A. Sprague and Bill Baird.