On the Surface
Style: Chamber Folk, Progressive Songwriter, Art Rock
Vibes: Brooding, Autumnal, Reflective, Weary, Bittersweet, Longing, Sombre, Melancholy, Mysterious
Themes: Existential, Impermanence, Time, Love, Death, Philosophical
Beth Gibbons – Lives Outgrown Read More »
Style: Free Folk, American Primitivism
Vibes: Sunny, Uplifting, Pastoral, Morning, Rootsy, Spiritual, Warm, Communal
Instrumentation: Banjo, Cello, Fiddle, Harmonium, Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Cigar Box, Sruti Box
Friends of the Road – Sunseekin’ Blues Read More »
Style: Drone, Free Folk
Vibes: Meditative, Forest, Peaceful, Contemplative, Nature, Soothing, Hypnotic, Psychedelic
Instrumentation: Harmonium, Hammered Dulcimer, Electronics, Acoustic Guitar
Style: Ritualistic Drone-Jazz
Vibes: Cathartic, Ecstatic, Visceral, Mystical, Ritualistic, Transcendent
Instrumentation: Saxophone, Synthesizers, Drums, Harmonium, Upright Bass
Eniks Cave – Seven Heavenly Palaces Read More »
Style: Glitch-Folk, Collage Folk, American Primitivism, Ambient Americana
Vibes: Apocalyptic, Pastoral, Hypnotic, Reflective, Sombre, Ominous, Meditative
Themes: Ecology, Weather Events, Climate Breakdown, Political
Daniel Bachman – Almanac Behind Read More »
Style: Appalachian Folk, American Primitivism
Vibes: Spiritual, Rootsy, Rural, Warm, Uplifting, Triumphant, Devotional, Spring
Joseph Allred – Branches and Leaves Read More »
Recorded September 1978 – May 1979 in Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, & Germany
Style: Free-Psych, Krautrock, Prog, Jazz-Rock, Raga Rock, Arabic Folk
Vibes: Adventure, Communal, Triumphant, Exploratory, Warm, Psychedelic, Bluesy, Playful, Energetic, Spiritual
featuring members of Espers, The Eyesores & Jesse Sparhawk
Style: Acid Folk, Progressive Chamber-Folk
Vibes: Mystical, Forest, Flowing, Sombre, Medieval, Witchy, Eerie, Fantasy, Melancholy, Autumnal, Eerie, Mysterious
Fern Knight – Music for Witches and Alchemists Read More »
Style: Spiritual Jazz
Vibes: Autumnal, Ecstatic, Communal, Hypnotic, Groovy, Meditative, Warm, Uplifting, Peaceful, Spiritual, Exploratory, Heartfelt, Light, Love, Meandering, Mysterious
Instrumentation: Tenor Saxophone, Electric Guitar, Upright Bass, Percussion, Drums, Harmonium, Keyboards
Pharoah Sanders – Pharoah (Deluxe Edition) Read More »
Style: Appalachian Folk Music, American Primitivism
Vibes: Rootsy, Spiritual, Warm, Passionate, Meditative, Religious, Storytelling, Sentimental, spiritual, storytelling
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Traditional, Lyrical, Droney, Open Tunings, Solo, Sparse
Instrumentation: Vocals, Harmonium, Acoustic Guitars (6- & 12-String), Autoharp, Piano, Banjo
Joseph Allred – Hoddmímis Holt Read More »
featuring Patrick Shiroishi, Jen Powers, Matthew J. Rolin, Magic Tuber String Band, Mikey Allred, Matt Johnson, Michael Pierce, Anthony Ford, Chris Davis
Style: New Age, Kosmische Folk, Ambient Americana
Vibes: Meditative, Nocturnal, Soothing, Cosmic, Ethereal, Contemplative, Surreal, Pastoral
Joseph Allred – What Strange Flowers Grow in the Shade Read More »
Style: Avant-Folk, Ambient Americana, Free-Folk, American Primitivism
Vibes: Meditative, Personal, Morning, Pastoral, Earthy, History, Hypnotic, Summer, Nature, Soothing
Musical Qualities: Collage, Electro-Acoustic, Glitchy, Suite, Vignettes, Instrumental, Sampling, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Atmospheric
Instrumentation: Banjo, Acoustic Guitar, Mouthbow, Fiddle, Homemade Instruments, Harmonium, Bell
Daniel Bachman – When the Roses Come Again Read More »
Style: Free Folk, Lo-Fi Psych, Mystical Folk
Vibe: Mysterious, Mystical, Communal, Murkey, Nocturnal, Ritualistic, Spacey, Eclectic, Hallucinogenic, Haunting
Musical Qualities: Vignettes, Lo-Fi, Acoustic, Droney, Collage, Studio-as-an-Instrument, Electro-Acoustic
The Tower Recordings – Folk Scene Read More »
Style: Irish Folk, Dark Folk, Avant-Folk, Acoustic Drone
Vibe: Haunting, Sombre, Rootsy, Storytelling, Ominous, Melancholy, Dark, Death, Intense, Ritualistic, Spiritual
Lankum – False Lankum Read More »
Fursaxa & Helena Espvall
Style: Free-Folk, Drone
Vibe: Ritualistic, Eerie, Nocturnal, Haunting, Murky, Mysterious, Witchy, Forest, Psychedelic, Primordial, Occult
Instrumentation: Organ, Cello, Experimental Vocals, Harmonium
Anahita – Arcana en Cantos Read More »
Style: Mystical Folk, Devotional Poetry, New Age
Moods: Poetic, Mystical, Devotional, Spiritual, Meditative, Surreal, Eccentric, Cosmic, Ecstatic, Utopian
Musical Qualities: Mantra, Spoken Word, Acoustic, Sparse, Improvisation
Instrumentation: Voice, Banjo, Sruti Box, Harmonium
Daniel Higgs – Say God Read More »
Style: Free Folk, Mystical Folk
Moods: Cosmic, Meandering, Exploratory, Ritualistic, Spiritual, Spacey, Communal, Haunting, Hypnotic, Meditative, Murky, Mystical, Raw, Eerie
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Lo-Fi, Improvisation, Repetitive, Percussive, Home Recording, Slow, Dissonant, Spoken Word
Planet TR – Let the Cosmos Ring Read More »
Style: Avant-Folk, Acid Folk, Free Folk
Moods: Cryptic, Thorny, Communal, Witchy, Anxious, Haunting, Ominous, Nocturnal, Eerie, Mystical, Psychedelic, Surreal, Shadow, Dark
Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar, Banjo, Cello, Vocal Harmonies, Mbira, Zither, Percussion, Slide Guitar, Drums, Electric Guitar, Organ, Xylophone, Autoharp, Harmonium, Spike Fiddle, Thumb Piano, Lap Steel
Spires that in the Sunset Rise – Four Winds the Walker Read More »
This collective of experimental Seattle musicians perform back-porch seances on old-time jigs & folk tunes, half of which can be found in Alan Lomax’s Folk Songs of North America book. The ritualistic, droning dissonance of cello, banjo, harmonium, & fiddle recall Pelt, Henry Flynt, & Tongue Depressor. Despite an often haunting atmosphere, folksiness and camaraderie pervade the tape in the form of warm lo-fi sing-a-longs and friendly, candid banter between tracks. The original social function of the music lives eternally, a nonlinear communication with fellow travelers from the past, present, & future.
Friends of the Road – Now You Know Something Right Here and I’ll Tell You For a Fact Read More »
Style: Free Folk, Ritual-Psych
Moods: Eerie, Forest, Nocturnal, Ritualistic, Witchy, Disturbing, Haunting, Communal, Pagan, Cryptic, Anxious, Surreal, Dark, Chaotic, Mysterious
Musical Qualities: Dissonant, Acoustic, Improvisation, Lo-Fi
Instrumentation: Cello, Violin, Acoustic Guitar, Autoharp, Melodica, Harmonium, Little Harp, Percussion, Mbira, Piano
Spires that in the Sunset Rise Read More »
Style: Organic Music, Psychedelic Jazz, Ecstatic Minimalism, Gnawa
Moods: Ritualistic, Communal, Contemplative, Meditative, Earthy, Transcendent, Psychedelic, Colorful, Soothing, Spiritual, Peaceful
Featuring Ari Brown, Hamid Drake, Ben Lamar Gay, Mai Sugimoto, Jason Stein, Mikel Patrick Avery, Lisa Albarado, Kara Bershad, Josh Berman, and Nick Mazzarella
Natural Information Society Community Ensemble – Since Time is Gravity Read More »
“Way of the Pilgrim” unfolds as a 4-movement suite of dark acoustic summoning rituals, spiritually connected to a mystical lineage of wyrd-folk practitioners through the ages. That strangely familiar feeling of being lost in the woods, of venturing into the archetypal unknown, pervades the atmosphere right from the opening… [Click for full review]
Recommended if you dig Six Organs of Admittance, Fursaxa, Robbie Basho, Third Ear Band
Seven Rivers of Fire – Way of the Pilgrim Read More »
LP, Constellation (2008) Style: Experimental Songwriter, Punk Blues, Chamber Punk, Noise Rock, Vibe: Visceral, Brooding, Angsty, Cathartic, Ominous, Sleazy, Dark, Dystopian, Apocalyptic, Intense, Deconstructed, Disturbing, Rebellious, Raw Musical Qualities: Noisy, Dynamic, Heavy, Dissonant, Spoken Word, Distorted Vocals
Evangelista – Hello, Voyager Read More »
Style: Free-Folk, Ritual-Drone
Vibe: Nature, Mystical, Ritualistic, Dreamy, Forest, Hallucinogenic, Nocturnal, Hypnotic, Sombre
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Droney, Repetitive, Mantra, Electroacoustic
Instrumentation: Harmonium, Vocals, Guitar, Harp, Cello, Flute
Fursaxa – Mycorrhizae Realm Read More »
Style: Mystical Folk, Global Fusion, Spiritual Jazz
Vibe: Utopian, Communal, Ceremonial, Spiritual, Ritualistic, Mystical, Eclectic, Colorful, Bright, Morning, Sunny, Warm, Uplifting, Mysterious
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Percussive, Improvisation, Live Recording, Chants
Instrumentation: Piano, Group Vocals, Berimbau, Percussion, Tanpura, Donsi Ngoni
Style: Gothic Drone-Folk, Mystical Americana, Ritual-Psych
Vibe: Shadowy Spiritual Journey; Western Ghost Stories; Backporch Mysticism;
Apocalyptic, Cathartic, Haunting, Rustic, Ritualistic, Loner, Dark, Perilous, Murky, Intertwined
Musical Qualities: Droney, Suite, Improvisation, Thematic, Dynamic, Atmospheric
Instrumentation: Electric Guitar, Harmonium, Organ, Vocals, Percussion
Horseback – Piedmont Apocrypha Read More »
Style: Gothic Americana, New Weird America, Country-Drone
Vibe: Haunting, Western, Pastoral, Moody, Rainy, Loner, Dark
Musical Qualities: Droney, Lo-fi, Atmospheric, Improvisation
Instrumentation: Banjo, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Field Recordings, Percussion, Harmonium
Jenks Miller / James Toth – Road to Ruin Read More »
Session musicians include Brian Blade, Eyvind Kang, Sam Amidon, Nico Muhly, Marc Ribot, Rob Burger, etc.
Style: Chamber Folk, British Folk-Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Folk-Pop
Vibe: Autumnal, Bittersweet, Melancholy, Moody, Rootsy, Warm, Mellow
Musical Qualities: Lyrical, Lush, Melodic, Soft
Beth Orton – Sugar Season Read More »
Style: World Fusion, Spiritual Jazz, Avant-Folk
Influences: Raga, Brazilian Folk, Minimalism, Turkish Folk, African Music
Vibe: Utopian, Communal, Spiritual, Warm, Hindu, Hypnotic, Colorful, Meditative, Sunny, Uplifting, Peaceful
Musical Qualities: Repetitive, Percussive, Acoustic, Polyrhythmic
Don Cherry – Organic Music Society Read More »
Style: Psychedelic Drone, Free Folk
Vibe: Ritualistic, Hypnotic, Cathartic, Earthy, Psychedelic, Communal
Musical Qualities: Acoustic, Drone, Improvisation, Live, Dissonant, Instrumental, Dynamic
Instrumentation: Piano, Fiddle, Harmonium, Gong, Bells, Singing Bowl, Percussion, Banjo
Pelt – Reticence / Resistance Read More »
Style: Free Folk, Ecstatic Minimalism
Vibe: Ritualistic, Forest, Nocturnal, Haunting, Hallucinatory, Cautious, Exploratory
Musical Qualities: Loops, Repetitive, Dissonance, Drones, Slow, Electro-Acoustic
Instrumentation: Experimental Vocals, Harmonium, Flute, Spiked Fiddle, Banjo, Acoustic & Electric Guitars
Spires that in the Sunset Rise – Ancient Patience Wills It Again Part II Read More »
Released in 2021 on Lion Productions Recorded 1977, Archival Release Format: LP, includes 12-page 12″ booklet Style: British Folk, Psych Folk, Spiritual Folk, Raga-Influenced Vibe: Hippie, Morning, Communal, Spiritual, Pastoral, Earthy, Eclectic, Nature, Peaceful, Mystical, Meditative Instrumentation: Acoustic Guitar (6 & 12 String), Sitar, Harmonium, Doogi, Synthesizers, Percussion, Fretless Bass, Flageolet, Table, Electric Piano
Earthforce – Earthforce Read More »
Style: Avant-Garde Jazz, Ecstatic Post-Minimalism, Psychedelic Trance Music, Gnawa-Influenced
Vibe: Hypnotic, Meditative, Psychedelic, Ecstatic, Spiritual, Cathartic, Mosaic,
Musical Qualities: Collective Improvisation, Live, Minimalistic, Acoustic, Instrumental, Polyphonic, Polyrhythmic, Repetitive
Instrumentation: Guimbri, Soprano Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Harmonium, Drums
Natural Information Society with Evan Parker – descension (Out of Our Constrictions) Read More »
Style: Psychedelic Trance Music, Avant-Jazz, Creative Music, Post-Minimalism
Influences: Gnawa, Spiritual Jazz, Raga, Kosmische Musik
Vibe: Earthy, Hypnotic, Meditative, Cosmic, Psychedelic, Ritualistic, Spiritual, Tribal
Musical Attributes: Polyrhythmic, Acoustic, Minimalistic, Improvisation, Percussive, Instrumental
Joshua Abrams – Natural Information Read More »
Style: Psychedelic Jazz, Creative Music, Post-Minimalism
Influences: Gnawa, Kosmische Music, Spiritual Jazz, Minimalism
Vibe: Earthy, Hypnotic, Exploratory, Mysterious, Ritualistic, Psychedelic
Musical Attributes: Acoustic, Improvisation, Minimalistic, Percussive, Polyrhythmic
Josh Abrams & Natural Information Society – Representing Read More »
Style: Irish Folk Music, Celtic Folk
Vibe: Rootsy, Passionate, Communal, Depressive, Rebellious, Triumphant
Musical Attributes: Vocal Harmonies, Droney, Acoustic
Lankum – Between the Earth and Sky Read More »
Style: Spiritual Jazz, Free Jazz
Vibe: Ritualistic, Spiritual, Triumphant, Uplifting, Warm, Cathartic, Communal, Cosmic, Energetic, Intense, Passionate
Musical Attributes: Collective Improvisation, Acoustic, Live, Polyphonic, Percussive, Multiple Drummers
Pharoah Sanders – Live at the East Read More »
The Invisible Comes to Us is a haunting, modern take on Appalachian and Irish folk songs. Beautiful close-harmonies, banjos and acoustic guitars are juxtaposed with droning atmospheres of woodwinds, Moog bass, pump organ, and euphonium. Guest musicians include Jim White on drums and Susan Alcorn on slide guitar.
Anna & Elizabeth – The Invisible Comes to Us Read More »
Style: Chamber Rock, Avant-Prog, Rock In Oppositon
Vibe: Anxious, Angular, Mysterious, Ominous, Dark, Dystopian
Musical Attributes: Instrumental, Complex, Dissonant
Instrumentation: Bassoon , Violin, Viola, Cello, Harmonium, Electric Guitar, Electric Bass, Drums
Univers Zéro – Univers Zero Read More »
Somber ambient-folk with layers of delicate, circular fingerpicking and sparse arrangements of droning harmonium, piano, guitar feedback and the occasional chirping crickets. The soft reverb dampens everything like a light drizzle over the American prairie
Western Skies Motel – Settlers Read More »
