10 Underground Folk Songs for Summer Days

In the past, I never listened to much folk music. However, when I started digging around on Spotify, I found a variety of underground folk artists who took inspiration from pop, indie, Southern Gothic and more, which opened my eyes to the genre's near-limitless possibilities. These tracks range from bright and poppy to raw and minimalist, but they all have an undeniably folksy vibe that makes you feel like taking a nap in a hammock.

1. For Days by Cynthia Nelson Band

Cynthia Nelson Band is the brainchild of Cynthia Nelson, who has been active in the music industry since 1992. "For Days," which comes from the 2023 album of the same name, highlights Nelson's piercing, doll-like voice. The vocals hover over the instrumentals like insects buzzing over a cornfield on a hot summer day--and when the piano cuts in, you feel like you're watching the first drops of rain hit the ground.

2. Phone Song by Les mange-tout

Nathalie Baxs and Germana Bargoni lead the French/Italian group, Les mange-tout, with Samuele Palazzi providing additional instrumentals. In 2010, the group released their self-titled debut, which includes the delightfully twangy "Phone Song." The dual vocalists play off each other throughout the track, creating a fun, vibrant sound that complements the glittery strings.

3. Ash Wednesday by The Variable Stars

After dropping All Signs Point To Life in 2006, Ash Wednesday re-released the record in 2022 as a limited-edition glittery cassette. These shimmering aesthetics are perfect for "Ash Wednesday," which sounds like droplets on a crystal lake. The cheerful arrangements would make a perfect summer camp soundtrack, and with song titles like "Fishhook" and "Path Through The Woods," that might not be far from the band's intentions.

4. Name and Form by Near Northeast

With members who have performed and studied music in Bosnia, India and various states, Near Northeast might be the most educated group on this list. "Name and Form," which comes from 2021's Gatherings, highlights the band's eclectic sound and Kelly's jewel-toned voice. The band released music out of Washington, D.C. before holding their farewell show in 2022.

5. Dead Man by Caitlin Kraus

Soft notes introduce you to "Dead Man," a track from Caitlin Kraus' 2020 record, What Rises. The album features a picture of three-year-old Kraus on the cover, inviting you to compare the artist's haunting vocals to her childhood roots. As she tells a story of loss and mourning, it's easy to see how Kraus has found success as a therapist and music counselor when she's not writing or performing.

6. Bowery Farewell by Chloe Drallos

"Bowery Farewell" appears on Chloe Drallos' 2024 EP, Three Seasons, which uses lo-fi production to create the sense that Drallos is performing alone in a barn or attic. Drallos also works as a filmmaker, directing music videos and short films that showcase her ghostly Americana aesthetic. At times, she seems like a spirit who emerged from a forest or roadside motel, and her conglomerate is just as mysterious.

7. Sent Mail by Sarah Hallman

Released in 2009, Likely is just one installment in Sarah Hallman's extensive career, which includes printmaking, graphic design, crafting and photography. "Sent Mail," the third track on the album, is a somber, nostalgic tune that could've played in a 90s coffee shop. In addition to writing the songs, Hallman also co-produced the album and played the piano and electric guitar, making her a modern Renaissance woman.

8. Festival Of Grot by Nethers

Nethers recorded their 2006 album, In Fields We Will Lie, after taking a road trip to meet up with the album's engineer, Marshall Costan, in central Virginia. While Nethers didn't find commercial success, they received critical acclaim for recording "dreamy folk pop" with an undercurrent of "velvety uneasiness." "Festival Of Grot" exemplifies this sound, offering a simple yet ominous vibe that evokes images of fieldworkers harvesting grain and talking to ghosts in the attic.

9. Melting (Into Corners) by Hoax Funeral

Hoax Funeral began in 2005 when frontwoman Anjy Hall moved to the UK and met instrumentalist Chris Gregory. The band added Cherish Burk and Al Jordan to the lineup before recording the songs that appeared on 2007's Pour Away The Ocean. Despite early praise, Hoax Funeral virtually disappeared after the album's release, making "Melting (Into Corners)" sound like a twinkling song from an almost-forgotten childhood dream.

10. Fisherman's Blues by Great Aunt Ida

After performing in a variety of bands, including The Beans, Violet Archers and Radiogram, Ida Nilsen released her first album as Great Aunt Ida in 2005. "Fisherman's Blues" highlights Nilsen's quiet, gentle vocals and delicate piano artistry that brims with repressed emotion. Since then, Great Aunt Ida has released four more records and delighted audiences with live performances in Vancouver and beyond.

What did you think about these tracks? Which one was your favorite? Sound off in the comments.