Indie folk is another genre of indie music that emerged on the independent music scene in the 2000s. Indie folk is a combination of traditional folk music and modern indie influences. Indie folk is often characterized by acoustic guitar melodies, harmonized vocals, lo-fi sounds, and lyrical themes that reflect personal experiences and emotions.
Among the most influential and successful indie folk artists:
- Bon Iver: an American band led by Justin Vernon, which debuted in 2007 with the album For Emma, Forever Ago. It is known for its indie-folk sound, falsetto vocals and lyrics, and the use of various instruments such as banjo, saxophone, piano, etc;
- Iron & Wine: American singer and songwriter, real name Sam Beam, who made his debut in 2002 with his album The Creek Drank the Cradle. He is known for his indie-folk sound, whispered vocals and lyrics, and the use of various instruments such as slide guitar, cello, mandolin, etc;
- Sufjan Stevens: American singer and songwriter who made his debut in 2000 with the album A Sun Came. He is known for his indie-folk sound, his multi-instrumental skills and lyrics, and his ambitious projects such as his 50 States Project and his concept albums about his family and religion;
- The Lumineers are an American band formed in 2005 and became one of the most successful indie folk bands of the 2010s. They are known for their indie-folk sound, passionate vocals and lyrics by Wesley Schultz, as well as their hits such as “Ho Hey”, “Ophelia” and “Stubborn Love”;
- Of Monsters And Men: an Icelandic band that formed in 2010 and became one of the most popular indie folk bands of the 2010s. They are known for their indie-folk sound, male-female vocal harmonies, and hits such as “Little Talks,” “Mountain Sound,” and “Dirty Paws”;
- Hozier: Irish singer and songwriter who made his debut in 2013 with his EP Take Me to Church. He is known for his indie-folk sound, soulful vocals and lyrics, as well as his blend of blues, gospel and rock;
- Xavier Rudd: Australian singer and songwriter who made his debut in 2002 with his album To Let. He is known for his indie folk sound, multi-instrumental skills and lyrics, as well as for combining elements of different cultures such as Aboriginal, Hawaiian and African music;
- The Shins: an American band formed in 1996 that became one of the most famous indie folk bands of the 2000s. They are known for their indie-folk sound, James Mercer’s distinctive vocals and lyrics, and their catchy and melodic songs such as “New Slang”, “Caring Is Creepy” and “Simple Song”;
- Sons Of The East: an Australian band formed in 2011 that became one of the most popular indie folk bands of the 2010s. They are known for their indie-folk sound, harmonized vocals and lyrics, as well as optimistic and energetic songs such as “Into The Sun”, “Hold On” and “Come Away”.