American Roots Music (Folk Rock)

America has a vast and interesting history when it comes to music. One feature common among many of its native genres is that they were born from lower class, poor, and sometimes delinquent populations that were very present in earlier years. One such musical genre that came out of these times is rock, more specifically folk rock. This genre speaks to me because I like folk and rock, but I also like it when two parties come together to make something new, i.e. folk-rock. To me, it's the perfect mix between intricate lyrics and the wonderful imperfections of drive and distortion. It's everything that I find interesting about music. 

To understand the sub genre of folk rock, one must first understand folk and rock. Folk most commonly refers to acoustic music with well-crafted lyrics. They're songs perfect for singing around a campfire, but also arguably one of the most artistic styles of music. Musically, it incorporates complex melodies, whether in guitar/piano parts or vocals. The songs tend to speak about common emotions, everyday life, and politics where words may fail. Rock music, on the other hand, usually incorporates heavier musical textures and themes in lyrics not too far from what you'd find in a generic pop song. On the surface, it seems much more underwhelming than folk music, but in reality it can convey heavier emotions more efficiently through the means of catchy riffs and easier-to-sing-along-to words which make it easier for other people to sing (or play) along to. 

Below is an example of a classic folk song, with just an acoustic guitar and voice, singing about how the Earth is everybody's land.

Folk rock is often attributed to artists like Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger who, in the 1960s, grew very popular for founding a syncretic mix of both acoustic and electric instruments with hippie-esque lyrics straight from the heart. Artists like Dylan were heavily inspired by early blues/rock artists like Chuck Berry who was known for his legendary electric guitar solos. This is what influenced them to add a touch of the grungier tone associated with folk rock today.

Here, we can see Bob Dylan performing one of his classics, "Like A Rolling Stone":

You can see how classic folk cliches are present within the song like the term, "rolling stone," arguably made famous by Muddy Waters (who also inspired the Rolling Stones' name). But Bob Dylan is playing an electric guitar while also playing with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. It's no wonder Bob Dylan was a master at the craft as he was surrounded by all different types of musicians who inspired him to make unique music. 

Another key aspect of folk rock is its voice of political advocacy. Here we can see more of the folk side of the genre in that folk music tends to delve into deeper topics through the means of emotional words and call-to-action phrases. Mid-1900s America was filled with politics like the Vietnam War and monumental Civil Rights movements. The duo Simon and Garfunkel were very political, which we know. Their song, "Sound of Silence" was actually written about the Vietnam War.

This is my favorite version of the song which so happens to be a prime example of folk rock. The song itself was made in a way to protest the war. It's about people being ignorant to the war and politics of the time, which created a sense of silence in the country which apparently got on these guys' nerves, so they decided to sing about it like a bunch of hippies. It seemed to work as the song is very popular to this day.

Now that we've seen how folk rock came to life, we can't help but discuss one of the biggest folk rock bands of all time. While I think it's hard to classify any band at all under one genre, I can say for sure the Beatles definitely show symptoms of folk rock.

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"Nowhere Man" speaks of a oblivious man living a directionless life. The song ironically fits in with Simon and Garfunkel's "Sound of Silence" in a way because it talks of someone who doesn't care about the world around them, but also saying how that can be all of us sometimes. It's a classic folk music topic. And of course rock comes in to play with a steady drum beat and electric guitar rhythms. "Here Comes the Sun" and Lennon's "Imagine" are other great examples of this style of music.

Something significant about the Beatles is that they expounded upon the genre with advancements like multitracking and stereo recording with the help of their all-star producer and honorary fifth Beatle, George Martin. Martin helped write additional instrument parts from strings to horns. This in turn lead to extra sub genres like chamber folk (folk music with small string ensembles).

George Martin conducting a string ensemble for a recording

It's cool to see how such a common genre today has such vast history and syncretism that gets overlooked a lot. But understanding the origin helps to understand how the music works. I love folk rock because it doesn't get too boring like how listening to a strict folk music playlist does after 4 or 5 songs and keeps audiences hooked with cool electric guitar features and deep lyrics.

Bibliography:

“Folk Rock Music Guide: What Does Folk Rock Sound like? - 2023.” MasterClass, www.masterclass.com/articles/folk-rock-music-guide. Accessed 29 Oct. 2023.

“Folk Rock.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., 26 Oct. 2023, www.britannica.com/art/folk-rock.

Joanne. “The Birth of Legends: How The Beatles Changed Music History.” Studio72, 21 Apr. 2022, www.studio72.sg/blog/the-birth-of-legends-how-the-beatles-changed-music-history/#:~:text=The%20Beatles%20pioneered%20the%20use,innovation%20in%20the%20music%20industry.

“The Sixties . Timeline . Text Version.” PBS, Public Broadcasting Service, www.pbs.org/opb/thesixties/timeline/timeline_text.html. Accessed 29 Oct. 2023.

Music and Gender

 Music and its history has a lot to say about culture, but also gender as well. There have been many noticeable stereotypes with music and gender like how flutes tend to be a feminine instrument whereas a drum set tends to be associated with men. But gender stereotypes have always been pushed, especially now where women are playing instruments and music that the world never would have thought of back in the day. One of my favorite rock bands that you may or may not have heard of, The Smashing Pumpkins, is currently made up of members Billy Corgan (lead singer/guitarist), James Iha (guitarist), Jimmy Chamberlin (drummer), and Jedf Schroeder (keys). But up until 1999, their mainstay bass player was a female, D'arcy Wretzky. Here is a video where you can see her and the guys performing one of their biggest hits, Bullet with Butterfly Wings:

D'arcy broke a big stereotype that hard rock was mainly a man's sport, and even played an instrument which not many women are known for playing, even today - the electric bass. Luckily, she among other females encouraged other girls to ensue what they wanted despite what others may associate it with.

Furthermore, guys have also been breaking stereotypes as well. This dude named Donovan was on America's Got Talent a few years ago and sang some crazy high notes that are normally harder for normal guys like me to sing. Obviously he had a lot of practice in order to be a professional soprano opera singer. Even though he didn't win the season, he is undeniably very talented.

Lastly, I want to point out a part of the world where females are very present in music: Iceland. Icelandic songs are very intriguing in their complex vocal melodies and instrumentation. Björk is one of the most famous and recognizable faces from the area. She wrote a song called Jóga in her third album and this live performance of that song is crazy to watch:

While she's most often labeled a pop singer, I think the term "art pop" fits her more because to me she always tends to portray music in a more artistic way, whether it be the vast instrumentation and writing or the performance of her songs live. It's all very well made.

Lastly, another Icelandic band, Of Monsters and Men, had their huge hit a while ago with "Little Talks." One of their lead singers is named Nanna and she's also a really good singer. I just love the way her voice sounds especially when she and the other lead singer, Ragnar sing together.

I'd definitely recommend listening to some of their more recent songs and albums as well as they contain more amazing tunes. Nanna also has a solo project under her own name with awesome harmonies and sounds similar to Björk.