Folk Files

Afleveringen

1. Episode #3.10 - Cold as the Clay

   16 oktober 2026 · 36 min

   Afspelen
   This episode is an exploration of ghost songs or, more accurately, “revenant ballads.” Ghosts are not particularly common in English ballads, so we’ll look at what circumstances are needed to summon a revenant into a song and discover how these supernatural lyrics interact with ancient superstitions from multiple cultures. These ghosts are mainly on the side of justice and love, but watch out: they can tear you to pieces if you wrong them. Lees meer

   For a list of all musical excerpts used in this episode, click here: https://folkfilespodcast.com/episodes/season-3/episode-3-10/

   Host: Olivia Harding

   On a Quiet Street Where Old Ghosts Meet by Jay Michaels: https://jaymichaels1.bandcamp.com/album/on-a-quiet-street-where-old-ghosts-meet

   Learn about the newly unearthed concert from Jean Ritchie: https://thebluegrasssituation.com/read/unearthed-jean-ritchie-concert-from-1960-shows-a-fun-side-of-the-mother-of-folk/

   Support Folk Files by joining the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast

   Assistant Producer: Aaron J. Morton

   Folk Files is a member of the Bluegrass Situation. Learn more about BGS here: https://thebluegrasssituation.com/

   Interested in sponsoring Folk Files? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

2. Episode #3.9 - Fol-de-rol and Fiddle-dee-dee

   18 september 2026 · 24 min

   Afspelen
   Non-lexical vocables are syllables without any semantic meaning, sometimes called “nonsense syllables.” In this episode of Folk Files, we’ll explore lilting, yodeling, konnakol, throat singing, and other vocable traditions from around the world. During our global musical journey, we’ll discover that these syllables carry meaning, even though they don’t have definitions. Lees meer

   For a list of all musical excerpts used in this episode, click here: https://folkfilespodcast.com/episodes/season-3/episode-3-9/

   Host: Olivia Harding

   Support Folk Files by joining the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast

   Assistant Producer: Aaron J. Morton

   Folk Files is a member of the Bluegrass Situation. Learn more about BGS here: https://thebluegrasssituation.com/

   Interested in sponsoring Folk Files? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

3. Episode #3.8 - Beat the Drum Slowly

   21 augustus 2026 · 31 min

   Afspelen
   The Anglo-Irish ballad "The Unfortunate Lad," the cowboy classic "Streets of Laredo," and the blues song "St. James of Infirmary" are often considered different versions of the same song. But it's possible that this categorization was influenced by careless and dubious scholarship. In addition to examining the relationship between these different songs, this episode of Folk Files looks at how these ballads (#2 in the Roud Folk Song Index) functioned as PSAs that educated listeners about public health concerns. (Content note: this episode discusses STIs). Lees meer

   For a list of all musical excerpts used in this episode, click here: https://folkfilespodcast.com/episodes/season-3/episode-3-8/

   Host: Olivia Harding

   Support Folk Files by joining the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast

   Assistant Producer: Aaron J. Morton

   Folk Files is a member of the Bluegrass Situation. Learn more about BGS here: https://thebluegrasssituation.com/

   Interested in sponsoring Folk Files? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

4. Episode #3.7 - I Got the Blues

   17 juli 2026 · 39 min

   Afspelen
   According to many textbooks, the blues is a genre that was born in the rural Mississippi Delta, with roots in the “sorrow songs” of enslaved people. It’s easy, however, to poke holes in this origin story and instead start to see the blues as a joyful, rebellious musical expression that formed in an urban environment. In this episode of Folk Files, we’ll take a look at different theories about the origin of the blues, separate fact from fiction, and uncover the reason why the Mississippi Delta narrative was promoted so strongly. (Note: episode has occasional explicit language and sexual references). Lees meer

   For a list of all musical excerpts used in this episode, click here: https://folkfilespodcast.com/episodes/season-3/episode-3-7/

   Host: Olivia Harding

   Chris Thomas King’s The Blues: The Authentic Narrative of My Music and Culture: https://www.chicagoreviewpress.com/the-blues-products-9780897336482.php

   Visit the Delta Blues Museum: https://www.deltabluesmuseum.org/

   Support Folk Files by joining the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast

   Assistant Producer: Aaron J. Morton

   Folk Files is a member of the Bluegrass Situation. Learn more about BGS here: https://thebluegrasssituation.com/

   Interested in sponsoring Folk Files? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

5. Episode #3.6 - There Was Two Brothers

   19 juni 2026 · 29 min

   Afspelen
   Whereas the “Two Sisters” murder ballad is a complete, coherent story, “Two Brothers” is messy. What’s the motive? Who are these brothers? Who kills who? In this episode of Folk Files, we search for the answers to these questions… and discover a dark hypothesis for why the story is so vague. (Content warning: this episode discusses themes that may not be appropriate for children). Lees meer

   Folk Files is now a member of the Bluegrass Situation. Learn more about BGS here: https://thebluegrasssituation.com/

   For a list of all musical excerpts used in this episode, click here: https://folkfilespodcast.com/season-3/episode-3-6/

   Host: Olivia Harding

   Explore the Derek Piotr Fieldwork Archive: https://fieldwork-archive.com/

   Support Folk Files by joining the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast

   Assistant Producer: Aaron J. Morton

   Interested in sponsoring Folk Files? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

6. Episode #3.5 - Rise Again

   17 mei 2026 · 22 min

   Afspelen
   Stan Rogers was one of Canada's greatest singer-songwriters, despite his music having never had major distribution or significant radio playtime. In this episode, I discuss the (tragically short) life of the impressive baritone and dissect his songs in order to answer this question: What makes his songs such instant folk classics? Lees meer

   Host and Producer: Olivia Harding

   Assistant Producer: Aaron J. Morton

   Learn more about TransTrad: https://www.transtradfest.org/

   Watch the One Warm Line: The Legacy of Stan Rogers: https://youtu.be/-h9A2RAfv9M?si=EJMzxJbvwi_upiEj

   Support Folk Files by joining the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FolkFilesPodcast

   For a full list of musical excerpts, head to the Folk Files website: https://folkfilespodcast.com/season-3/episode-3-5/

7. Episode #3.4 - There Were Two Sisters

   24 april 2026 · 27 min

   Afspelen
   A harrowing murder ballad in which an older sister shoves her younger sister in the water (and sometimes a musician makes an instrument from the drowned girl's corpse) can be found all over Great Britain, North America, and Scandinavia. But where did it originally come from? And how has the story changed as it's traveled across seas? Find out in this episode of Folk Files, all about "Twa Sisters." Lees meer

   CORRECTION: The artist named as "Kate Corwen" should actually be "Kate Fletcher" (Kate Fletcher performs in a duo with Corwen Broch)

   Host: Olivia Harding

   Learn more about the Spokane Fall Folk Festival: https://www.spokanefolkfestival.org/

   For more on this ballad, check out the In the Roud podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj8x5X1kCc0

   Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/FolkFilesPodcast

   Special thanks to Aaron J. Morton

   For a full list of musical excerpts associated with this episode, head to the episode page on the new Folk Files website: https://folkfilespodcast.com/uncategorized/episode-3-4/

8. Episode #3.3 - The Music of Temple Bar

   16 maart 2026 · 41 min

   Afspelen
   In this St. Patrick's Day episode, I ask the question: Is it actually Irish? We will explore over thirty songs that are performed in Irish contexts and see if they actually come from Irish sources. Along the way, we'll discuss the Rising of 1798, the history of Dublin, the Great Famine, and the Irish diaspora. Lees meer

   Host: Olivia Harding

   Learn more about the Albuquerque Folk Festival: https://www.abqfolkfest.org/

   Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/FolkFilesPodcast

   Special thanks to Aaron J. Morton

   For a full list of musical excerpts associated with this episode, head to the episode page on the new Folk Files website:

9. Episode #3.2 - He Never Returned

   19 februari 2026 · 27 min

   Afspelen
   Is "The MTA Song" a conservative song or a communist song (or neither)? And why did record companies try to hide the origins of the tune of one of the most prolific early 20th century country songs? Find out in this episode of Folk Files, which discusses "The MTA," "The Wreck of the Old '97," and "The Ship That Never Returned." Lees meer

   Host: Olivia Harding

   Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast

   Check out the new website: https://folkfilespodcast.com/

   Special thanks to Aaron J. Morton

   Reach out to Folk Files at folkfilespodcast@gmail.com

   For a full list of musical excerpts associated with this episode, head to the episode page on the Folk Files website: https://folkfilespodcast.com/season-3/episode-3-2/

10. Episode #3.1 - Piping in the Haggis

    20 januari 2026 · 27 min

    Afspelen
    Welcome to the third season of Folk Files! We are starting off the year with a Robert Burns-themed episode to celebrate Burns Night on January 25th. Learn about the traditions associated with the Burns Night Supper and discover how Robert Burns was indispensable when it came to preserving Scottish folk music. Lees meer

    Host: Olivia Harding

    Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast

    Check out the new website: https://folkfilespodcast.com/

    Listen to The Rhythm Atlas: https://rhythmatlas.com/listen/

    Special thanks to Aaron J. Morton

    Reach out to Folk Files at folkfilespodcast@gmail.com

    For a full list of musical excerpts associated with this episode, head to the episode page on the Folk Files website: https://folkfilespodcast.com/season-3/episode-3-1/

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