Folk music was never just about banjos and ballads — it’s about truth. And today’s folk artists are carrying that torch with brilliance, honesty, and raw emotional power. From viral storytellers to genre-benders, these 10 modern folk voices are making the old new again — and reminding us that the most powerful songs often come from the quietest places.
Brandi Carlile
A powerhouse of harmony and heartache, Brandi’s voice carries generations of pain and hope. Folk, rock, country — she makes it all feel intimate.
Gregory Alan Isakov
If stardust had a soundtrack, it would sound like Isakov. His songs float between the terrestrial and the celestial — like a diary you forgot you wrote.
Hozier
Yes, that Hozier. Behind the hits is a deeply literary folk songwriter pulling from blues, gospel, and myth. Lush, layered, and lyrically loaded.
Iron & Wine
Whispered vocals, rich acoustic textures, and poetry for the soul — Sam Beam’s work is a masterclass in quiet resonance.
John Dawson
With “Mend In My Ways,” and so many others, Dawson offers a reckoning. Every line is etched with regret, humility, and love rediscovered. He doesn’t sing at you — he sings with you, side by side, because he gets it.
Kelsey Waldon
Grounded in Kentucky dirt, Kelsey’s music is steeped in truth. Her voice carries Appalachian grit and modern reflection in equal measure.
Leyla McCalla
A cellist, folklorist, and former Carolina Chocolate Drop, McCalla reclaims folk with Haitian roots and historical resonance. Every song is a lesson and a gift.
Sufjan Stevens
He turned banjo ballads into sacred text. Whether chronicling states or grief, Sufjan’s work redefines intimacy in folk-pop.
The Milk Carton Kids
Two guitars, two voices, infinite beauty. Their stripped-down sound and tight harmonies harken back to Simon & Garfunkel with a twist of wry humor.
Waxahatchee
Katie Crutchfield’s raw lyricism and Americana-soaked melodies cut through the noise. A modern folk icon with punk heart and Southern soul.