traditional folk
what it is
Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers. It has been contrasted with commercial and classical styles. One meaning often given is that of old songs, with no known composers; another is music that has been transmitted and evolved by a process of oral transmission or performed by custom over a long period of time.
✦ start here: albums
✦ who's making it, level by level
level 3 · one step out
cult favorites and indie darlings
level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
level 5 · all the way
deep experimental
✦ make traditional folk a playlist
turn these 18 artists into something you can press play on.
✦ nearby genres
questions
What is traditional folk?
Traditional folk music has been defined in several ways: as music transmitted by mouth, as music of the lower classes, and as music with unknown composers. It has been contrasted with commercial and classical styles. One meaning often given is that of old songs, with no known composers; another is music that has been transmitted and evolved by a process of oral transmission or performed by custom over a long period of time.
What are good traditional folk albums to start with?
Try Oh Vanille / Ova Nil by Diane Cluck, Folk Songs - Story Songs - Part 2 by Robert White, Rising Sun Melodies by Ola Belle Reed, and Dust Bowl Ballads by Woody Guthrie.
Who are some women making traditional folk?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/traditional-folk/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making traditional folk, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-21