When Dar Williams, Richard Shindell, and Lucy Kaplansky formed the ad hoc trio Cry Cry Cry in 1998, it was big news in the folk world.
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In the nearly five decades that he’s been recording, Bruce Springsteen hasn’t resisted being the voice of his generation, whether as a young man hungry with ambition or a mature artist absorbing the zeitgeist of the socio-political moment. Now, in 2020 he addresses aging and mortality most directly in the poetic and powerful Letter to You.
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About a year ago, I came upon an EP by Raye Zaragoza, Live at Rockwood Music Hall. Having a strong to connection to Rockwood, I was interested and instantly impressed. With a passionate voice she sang songs of social justice for an enthusiastic audience.
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In these polarized times where hatred and violence have become more prevalent, the New York-area ensemble, Scott Wolfson and Other Heroes, decided to record a cover of “I Hear Them All” from David Rawlings and Ketch Secor (Old Crow Medicine Show) in an urge to get out the vote.
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Roger Street Friedman is a white guy from Long Island. Like so many of us, he was shaken to his soul by the images of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, et al., and was moved to write "Poison in the Cut" about "the infection that festers beneath the skin."
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The Long Island trio Gathering Time has emerged from the folk world, but when I first heard them nail “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” at a NERFA conference, I could tell they were at home with rock as well.
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Orly Bendavid is a musician and psychotherapist from Brooklyn. When I heard her unreleased song “Hope is a Traitor” on a NERFA panel last fall, it made a deep impression on me…
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The range of Willie’s music has been captured brilliantly on Willie Nile Uncovered, a tribute that is Sunday Supper’s spotlight of the month for August.
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Look Long, the Indigo Girls’ 16th and latest album, is aptly titled. After 35 years together, Emily Saliers and Amy Ray, look at life from a long-term perspective with songs boasting empathy, maturity, and their usual grace.
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With Woody Guthrie's 108th birth anniversary coming on July 14, New Folk is pleased to offer an exclusive video premiere of "Woody and Marjorie" by Sharon Goldman.
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Every month the New Folk Initiative selects 10 tracks from new or recent releases to be highlighted as "Choice Cuts," based on airplay on WFUV's "Sunday Supper." Here is this month's list.
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The Mammals were born around 2002 as a five-member band led by Mike Merenda, Ruth Ungar, and Tao Rodriguez Seeger, mixing string band instruments with a folk-rock sensibility.
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Every month the New Folk Initiative selects 10 tracks from new or recent releases to be highlighted as "Choice Cuts," based on airplay on WFUV's "Sunday Supper." Here is this month's list.
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When David Bromberg asked Larry Campbell to produce his 2013 album, Only Slightly Mad, it was clear they had a special chemistry.
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I've been a fan of NYC singer-songwriter Ina May Wool, ever since I heard "Elephant Learning to Dance" on her debut album, Moon Over 97th St. in 1999.
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For years, many of my favorite female artists had a regular New York-based song swap and support group called Chicks With Dip.
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Every month the New Folk Initiative selects 10 tracks from new or recent releases to be highlighted as "Choice Cuts," based on airplay on WFUV's "Sunday Supper." Here is this month's list.
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One of the folk world’s most compassionate – and politically astute – songwriters, Eliza Gilkyson, has released an album that really fits this moment in time. Titled 2020, it was intended to resonate during this election year.
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In honor of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, here’s a playlist of environmentally-friendly songs from over the decades.
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During this time of high anxiety, we can all use some music to soothe our souls. I created a Spotify playlist, then asked my Facebook friends for their go-to songs in time of need. Compassion for COVID-19 combines our favorites.
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