Folk influences are particularly strong in most parts of the former USSR. Folk traditions were strong under tsarism, remained largely supported under Communism, and have remained an intricate part of national identity into the modern era. Many successful pop and rock bands maintain a distinctive and marketable sound by using elements of folk music. Particularly striking examples can be found in metal, punk, and dance music. Elements used can include cord patterns, vocal stylings, instrumentation, as well as costuming and stage presence. Pop folk is a genre that makes wholesale use of traditional songs and introduces pop, rock, or electronic influence.
Note that none of the bands below are wholly folk. If you are interested in more purely folk music, see the folk music section at our sister site, Folkways.today.
Languages: Search for folk-influenced music performed in Uzbek, Kyrgyz, or Tatar, or in Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, or Belarusian, or in Baltic, Caucasian, or Other languages.
Żywiołak, initially formed in Warsaw in 2005, is a Polish folk rock band steeped in mythos. Its name references the Elemental, a magical being said to harness the power of nature in the form of air, fire, water, or earth. Their lyrics sing of epic battles (in Wojownik, or Warrior) and explore the traditions of […]
