Canadian folk music

Saskatchewan-native Joni Mitchell, one of the most influential folk and popular music singer songwriters of the 20th century.^[1]

Canadian folk music has a long history, dating from the 16th and 17th century, mostly derived from the music of early settlers; much earlier for the music of indigenous people. Folk music thus differentiates between traditional and contemporary. Many of Canada's most influential folk artists emerged in the contemporary folk music era, notably Stan Rogers, Ferron, Wade Hemsworth, Murray McLauchlan, Gordon Lightfoot, Valdy, Buffy Sainte-Marie and Kate and Anna McGarrigle. In the 1970s, chansonniers grew steadily less popular with the encroachment of popular rock bands and other artists, and many of the folk clubs, such as the Montreal Folk Workshop, that had served to foster the mid-20th century revival closed down. Some new performers did emerge, however, including Jacques Michel, Claude Dubois, and Robert Charlebois. Modern folk music is very much present in Canada, being home to successful folk artists such as Great Lake Swimmers, City and Colour, Basia Bulat, Joel Plaskett, and Old Man Luedecke. And folk clubs are still active across Canada, and there is also an emerging scene of "underground folk music", represented by artists like Andy Shauf, Matthew Joel, Tyler Gilbert, and Two Bicycles.

References