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Pitt | Culture > Entertainment

Seven Modern Folk And Country Musicians You Need To Listen To

Meadow Winters Student Contributor, University of Pittsburgh
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Pitt chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

Too often, country and folk music get a bad rap. Country music has become synonymous with conservative, “Hell Yeah, America” culture. Folk music is “not what it used to be.” I don’t believe in any of this, though. I believe if you look beyond the Morgan Wallens and the Mumford & Sons of the scene, there is an influx of talented songwriters and musicians infiltrating the country and folk genres. I’ve listed some of my favorites below:

Orville Peck

Peck originally gained popularity when his song “Dead of Night” was featured in season two of Euphoria. Since then, he’s released two albums, collaborated with Willie Nelson and Elton John, and starred in a Broadway production of Cabaret as the Emcee. While country music tends to be synonymous with conservative culture, Peck represents the LGBTQ+ community in that space. Lyrically, much of his music deals with his experiences as a gay man, especially within the country world. His baritone voice is wonderfully distinct, and his music is heavily inspired by outlaw country and classic artists like Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton. 

Joe DeVito

DeVito has a passion for storytelling, evident in his intimately recorded, stripped-down catalogue. He blends the folk and Americana genres, and has cited influences ranging from A Boogie Wit da Hoodie to Woody Guthrie. He is embarking on a North American tour later this month. Although he has begun to gain attention from the music industry and audiences, he is still massively underrated, so check him out before everyone else does. 

River Whyless

This band describes their music as sitting “somewhere between folk, indie and something harder to define.” Led by lead singer Halli Anderson, River Whyless’ music features lush harmonies and an indie-rock-esque energy. They cite their main musical inspiration as Vampire Weekend, and their main lyric inspiration as author Thomas Wolfe. Their biggest song, “Motel 6,” gained attention on social media following its release, and the entire album, Kindness, A Rebel, is worth the listen. 

Yaelorke

Yaelorke is a Filipino-Icelandic singer-songwriter whose music is part of a large, unfolding narrative, containing songs like “Harpy Hare” and “And the Hound.” She has created a community around this project, which her fans refer to as “wonderfolk.” Recently, she released an EP titled Origins, which is available on streaming platforms. 

MJ Lenderman

Now, we may be playing fast and loose with the definition of ‘country’ or ‘folk’ here, as Lenderman brings an alternative twang to the genres. His 2024 album, Manning Fireworks, sent him to new heights of popularity and critical acclaim, featuring his biggest song, “Wristwatch.” If you like Neil Young, Pavement, The Band, or similar artists, definitely give MJ Lenderman a listen.

Waxahatchee

A frequent collaborator of Lenderman, Waxahatchee is singer-songwriter Katie Crutchfield’s solo project. As a veteran of the Alabama punk scene, Crutchfield carries a punk-influenced lyrical honesty into her music. Her music is resonant of the classic Americana sound, inspired by artists like Emmylou Harris and The Velvet Underground. Last year, she received a Grammy nomination for Best Americana Album — check out the record, Tiger’s Blood.

Jesse Welles

Saving my personal favorite for last, Jesse Welles started gaining attention by sharing his politically topical songs on Instagram and TikTok. His witty and emotionally poignant writing style, combined with the relevance of his lyrics at the time of their release, has led to Welles becoming a widely recognized figure in the folk world. He is frequently compared to Bob Dylan, and has shared the stage with early folk/rock icons like Joan Baez and John Fogerty. He is active on most social platforms as @WellesMusic, and on TikTok as @JesseWelles, and uploads original music fairly often. If you are interested in the face of modern protest music, check out his music on any streaming or social media platform. 

Whether you love, hate, or feel indifferent towards country and folk music, give one of these artists a try!

Meadow Winters

Pitt '27

Meadow is a second-year student at the University of Pittsburgh. This is her first year contributing to Her Campus and she is excited to write about current events, entertainment, and more. Meadow is currently studying marketing and hopes to eventually work in music/entertainment marketing. She is also a part of WPTS, Pitt's student-led radio station. Outside of school, Meadow enjoys listening to music and going to concerts, going for walks, and trying new coffee shops.