Folk Files

A podcast that uncovers the mysteries of folk music throughout the ages

05/28/2026

😀 Why am I so happy*? 😀 Because I've had three separate people email me over the past few weeks to share personal folk music projects, bring almost-lost traditional songs to my attention, and share theories about old ballads. Please keep it coming! I am so delighted that people know that I want to hear ALL ABOUT THE NERDY FOLK STUFF. So if you want someone to gush over your latest folk music discovery, email [email protected].

*Also I'm about to embark on a weekend full of sea shanties but shhhhhh, don't tell anybody. 😀🏴‍☠️

05/25/2026

In this month's Patreon blog post, I talk about Stan Rogers's song "The Idiot," in which the narrator leaves his home in the Maritimes and moves to Alberta to work in an oil refinery. It's what many young men in the Maritimes started doing when it became harder to find work in eastern Canada. As you can see from the map, it's a significant move, and the man in "The Idiot" spends a lot of the song missing his home. People have made guesses about Stan's politics based on "The Idiot," and in the blog post, I analyze those hypotheses using lyrics from other songs that Stan composed. If you are not a paying member, you can purchase each blog for a donation in the Patreon shop.

05/20/2026

There is a brand new Folk Files newsletter, and you can sign up for it at the bottom of the Folk Files website (link in comments). If you'd like an easy way to be notified when there's a new episode, this is a good option. I will only email you once a month (mayyyyyybe twice a month, if I have an exciting announcement... like in a couple weeks 👀).

05/18/2026

What artist would you ski through a blizzard for? ⛷️ 🎶

Folk Files is available on most podcast platforms (except Spotify and YouTube) or you can listen directly on the Folk Files website!

05/17/2026

The newest episode of Folk Files, all about the life and work of Stan Rogers, is now available! You can listen on most podcast platforms or directly on the Folk Files website (link in the comments!). For those of you who are already familiar with Stan Rogers: Do you know what song is being referenced in this quote?

05/14/2026

First of all: I'm sorry that this is the most terrifying announcement image I've made so far. I decided to just roll with it. The next episode of Folk Files is all about the legendary Canadian song-writer and baritone Stan Rogers! Listen on Sunday as I dissect Rogers' songs and try to determine what exactly made them folk classics.

05/03/2026

In this month's Patreon blog post, I discuss folk tales and literary works that appear to be inspired by or related to "Twa Sisters." Pictured here is a scene from “Councillor Krespel” from Les Contes d’Hoffmann by Jacques Offenbach, in which a young girl's soul seems to be connected to a violin. I also discuss the Brothers Grimm story "The Singing Bone" and a folk tale about two princesses from India.

As a reminder, if you do not get the blog post through a Patreon membership, all blog posts are available in my Patreon store for a one-time donation!

🖼️: “Antonia et le Conseiller Krespel,” Gustave Doré, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

05/01/2026

This is the story of why the U.S. doesn’t officially celebrate a holiday that was originally created to honor American workers. Check the last slide for some musical ways to celebrate May Day! If you’re specifically hoping to sing protest songs, finding your local Singing Resistance is a great place to start!

Also, keep in mind that a general strike has been announced for today, if you can participate!

04/28/2026

In the latest episode of Folk Files, I mentioned In The Roud - A Folk Song Podcast hosted by Matt Quinn. Each episode of the "In the Roud" podcast covers a different song from the Roud Index. The first half of an episode covers the history of the song with a historian or folk music expert. The second half discusses the performance of the song with a musician who has interpreted it. Matt's currently up to Roud 59! Episode 8 covers "Twa Sisters" for those who want to dig even deeper into that family of ballads!

04/24/2026

The latest episode is now out! 🎙️ Listen to it for free on your podcast platform of choice! (Or a directly link can be found in the comments!)

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