We live in great times. While many of the older generation often looking back to to the sixties, the seventies and even the eighties from good music, they simply miss out the great variety of talented bands and artist that we have today. One of the genres that enjoyed an increasing success over the years is the indie folk genre, which itself functions as an umbrella for many related sub-genres, with each one of them going to a different direction. Here are some of the best acts around that you should catch live :
Bon Iver
Bon Iver (a mispronunciation of ‘bon hiver’, good morning in French) is the moniker of Wisconsin-based musician Justin Vernon. Following a painful separation from his longtime girlfriend and suffering from an illness, Vernon decided to retreat to an old cabin in the woods and practically recorded his heartfelt emotions on tape. The result was the album For Emma, Forever Ago, who became a best-selling album when it was released in 2007. Since then, Vernon has released two more albums and is performing with a 10-piece band.
Gogol Bordello
Maybe their name won’t ring any bells, but this unusual group, led by the extravagant Eugene Hutch had appeared in several known movies, like “Everything Is Illuminated” from 2005, and Madonna’s “Filth and Wisdom’. Their music style is a happy Gypsy punk kind, which always sets the right mood for some dancing and drinking. Their live performances are known to be filled with band members goofing around, dancers, fun colorful nonsense, and of course, some pretty solid music.
Beirut
Beirut is the stage name of Santa Fe’s born Zach Condon. Inspired by his travels around the globe, Condon practically created a genre of indie-world folk himself, magnificently mixing American music, French chansons, Balkan folk songs and Mexican mariachi music. Beirut soon an instant success in America and Europe, predicting the 2000’s ‘balkan craze’ of movies such as Everything Is Illuminated and Borat.
Father John Misty
Although it’s not a secret, not many people know that Father John Misty real name is Josh Tillman. If that name rings a bell, it is because he played as Fleet Foxes’ drummer for many years, before going solo, Tillman’s sounds is completely different, considered a blend of 70’s rock and southern-drenched Americana. Since his decision to pursue his own career full-time, Father John Misty have won many accolades around the world. Currently, he is selling out shows both locally and internationally so you better catch him soon!
Fleet Foxes
While Seattle is famous for its legendary Grunge scene during the 90’s, It also brought us one of the unique bands in music today. Led by Frontman and songwriter Robin Pecknold, The foxes charmingly infuse 70’s American folk-rock with British folk and baroque inspirations. Known for its complex arrangements and reverbed-soaked sound, the band released two albums to critical acclaim before going into a six-year hiatus. In 2017, the band surprisingly announced a comeback with a new album in their sleeve and an accompanied world tour.
