Genre
Folk
Folk music is rooted in storytelling and acoustic tradition, capturing the voice of everyday people through stripped-back instrumentation and honest lyrics. From the introspective singer-songwriter approach of artists like Emily Woodhull and Alex Rogers to the ensemble dynamics of groups such as Kindred Valley, folk celebrates authenticity and connection. The genre spans intimate bedroom recordings to full-band arrangements, but always prioritizes the song and the story at its heart. On The Rugged Revival, you'll find folk artists ranging from the contemplative to the energetic, all united by a commitment to real instruments and genuine human expression.
Artists
Alex Rogers
South Carolina, USA
Americana · Folk
Bar Jay Bar
Wyoming, USA
Country · Americana
Ben Morrison
California, USA
Bluegrass · Americana
Capt'n Scum
Germany
Country · Folk
Coltt Winter Lepley
Pennsylvania, USA
Folk · Americana
Conrad Moore
Georgia, USA
Folk · Americana
Daniel Young
Utah, USA
Americana · Folk
Eli Howard
Oregon, USA
Americana · Country Rock
Emilia Quinn
United Kingdom
Americana · Folk
Emily Jamerson
Kentucky, USA
Folk · Americana
Emily Woodhull
Virginia, USA
Americana · Country
Jack Browning
United Kingdom
Folk · Blues
Joe Clark
United Kingdom
Americana · Folk
Johanna Wacker & Acelia
Virginia, USA
Folk · Americana
Jonathan Peyton
Georgia, USA
Americana · Folk
Justin Trawick
District of Columbia, USA
Americana · Folk
Kindred Valley
West Virginia, USA
Folk · Americana
King Strang
Oregon, USA
Folk · Roots
Leon Majcen
Florida, USA
Folk · Country
Martha Spencer
Virginia, USA
Americana · Folk
Mike Tod
Tennessee, USA
Folk · Roots
Nathan Bess
West Virginia, USA
Americana · Country
Nicholas Jamerson
Kentucky, USA
Americana · Folk
Olivia Ellen Lloyd
West Virginia, USA
Country · Folk
Philip Bowen
West Virginia, USA
Americana · Roots
Presley Haile
Texas, USA
Folk · Country
Randon Neeley
Kentucky, USA
Folk · Americana
Scott Low
Georgia, USA
Americana · Blues
Smilo & The Ghost
USA
Folk · Americana
Sunny War
California, USA
Folk · Blues
Susannah Clegg
United Kingdom
Country · Americana
Taylor Hernly
Indiana, USA
Americana · Country
Episodes
Ben Morrison
The Brothers Comatose: Ben Morrison on 18 Years of Music, Family & Touring
Ben Morrison of The Brothers Comatose joins the Rugged Revival Podcast for an honest conversation about nearly two decades ...
Mike Tod
Keeping Traditional Folk Music Alive in Nashville | Mike Tod Podcast
Mike Tod joins Camden to discuss traditional folk music, Canadian roots, life in Nashville, forgotten songs, unusual instruments and why preserving musical history still matters today.Originally from Canada and now based in Nashville, Mike explores the stories behind traditional songs, the connections between folk music around the world and how old music continues to influence modern artists. We also discuss his unique "Crankenstein" instrument, musical curiosity, collecting songs from the past and the importance of keeping traditions alive for future generations.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:00:30 Growing Up in Canada00:02:20 Discovering Music & The Crankenstein00:04:10 The Story Behind The Crankenstein00:05:20 Drones, Folk Traditions & Ancient Music00:08:10 Learning Guitar & Performing Original Songs00:09:40 Accessing Traditional Music in the Digital Age00:11:20 Researching Music History00:12:10 Playing The Crankenstein Live00:14:00 Creating Atmospheric Sounds & Live Performance00:16:00 Traditional Songs & Musical Origins00:17:50 The Artists Influencing Mike Today00:19:20 Studying Philosophy & Creative Thinking00:22:00 Horror, Heavy Music & Folk Culture00:24:00 Scottish Heritage & Family History00:27:10 Final ThoughtsSubscribe to The Rugged Revival. Share it with your friends. Support independent music!Listen to the full podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wnHcgA73o1aiiKaz882vH?si=30aabdaa220a4628Follow The Rugged Revival:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theruggedrevival/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theruggedrevivalFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094507520679Website: www.theruggedrevival.comEmail: ruggedrevival@hotmail.com
Bar Jay Bar
Wyoming Country & Western Revival | Bar Jay Bar Podcast
The Rugged Revival — independent Country, Americana & Roots music. Live sessions, artist interviews and real music discovery.Bar Jay Bar joins Camden for a conversation about modern Country & Western music, Americana storytelling, independent touring, songwriting, cowboy culture and building authentic roots music outside the mainstream industry.Based between Wyoming and the American West, Bar Jay Bar blends classic Country & Western influences with modern Americana and folk songwriting, creating music that feels both timeless and deeply personal.If you enjoy artists like Colter Wall, Charles Wesley Godwin, Tyler Childers, Sierra Ferrell and modern western Americana, this episode is for you.Subscribe to The Rugged Revival. Share it with your friends. Support independent music!Follow The Rugged Revival:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theruggedrevival/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theruggedrevivalFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094507520679Website: www.theruggedrevival.comEmail: ruggedrevival@hotmail.com
King Strang
Artist & Guitarist For Dark Folk Band "The Bridge City Sinners" | King Strang
King Strang is the ragpunk, old-timey, and always fun one man band project of Michael Sinner, proudly represented by Portland’s Flail Records. Using influences of traditional folk music as well as 40’s jazz sounds, King Strang blends the old with the new in all of his music. Often playing a resonator guitar, stomp box, and kazoo, King Strang upholds a consistently jazzy barroom sound that remains unique from his work in incredible projects such as the Bridge City Sinners and Clyde and the Milltailers. King Strang’s music is nothing if not music to have a good time to. On his recent record “The Second Coming”, Michael Sinner is joined by Lightnin Luke on the fiddle, bringing even more old time vibes. With lyrics about religious folklore, love and longing, and apathy, King Strang brings a little something for everybody with a love for old time music and incredible jazz vocals.
Emilia Quinn
A UK Voice in Americana, Folk Rock & Blues | Emilia Quinn
Emilia Quinn is a UK-based artist blending Americana, folk rock and blues with a raw, soulful voice and deeply honest songwriting.In this Rugged Revival podcast, Emilia talks about her music, influences and journey, from festival stages to her latest album Dented Halos.This conversation explores storytelling, resilience and the human experience through music.Discover more country, Americana and roots artists on The Rugged Revival.
Capt'n Scum
Capt'n Scum - Frankfurt-based Country, Folk, and Western Musician | Rugged Revival
In this episode, Camden sits down for a conversation with Capt'n Scum, who is a Frankfurt-based country, folk, and western musician.
Sunny War
Sunny War - From Hardship to Folk-Blues Star | Rugged Revival
Sunny War enlivens traditional folk and blues by freshening her musical attack and writing lyrics that reflect 21st century concerns. Her first album, "Worthless", arrived in 2014, and she continued to gain attention as she built up a cult following that crested with the release of 2018's "With the Sun".Born Sydney Lyndella Ward to a single mother in Nashville, the singer/songwriter spent her childhood moving around the United States with her parent, spending significant time in both Nashville and the Detroit suburb of Rochester. During this time, she learned to love a wide variety of music, picking up the guitar at the age of 13. After she spent a rough period combating substance abuse and poverty, she gravitated to blues and folk and relocated to California settling in Venice Beach.Adopting the performing name Sunny War, she'd sometimes moonlight with her punk side band Anus Kings, but it was her folk-blues showcased on a self-released album that began to gain notice from local scenesters - including critics at LA Weekly. After a few years, she released her official debut, "Worthless", which appeared in 2014. A second independent record, "Red White and Blue", arrived in 2016.In 2018 Sunny War released, via Hen House Studios, "With the Sun", After that album, she moved from Venice Beach to downtown Los Angeles, quickly delivering her next LP also on Hen House "Shell of a Girl", the following year. Her critically acclaimed EP "Can I Sit With You" premiered in 2020.
Daniel Young
Daniel Young - Indie Folk Americana | Another Golden Hour | Rugged Revival
The Rugged Revival — independent Country, Americana & Roots music. Live sessions, artist interviews and real music discovery. Daniel Young is the kind of artist who doesn’t just make music—he lives inside it. A singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, sound engineer, and producer from Salt Lake City, Daniel has spent over two decades honing a craft that runs as deep as the mountains he grew up on. That sense of elevation—of something vast, fleeting, and quietly powerful—echoes through every note he creates. His latest project, Another Golden Hour, captures that rare, glowing moment just before the light fades—when everything feels suspended between what is and what’s about to disappear. These songs were born in the open air of a side patio, shaped in a basement studio, and now return to the world carrying that same warmth, weight, and wonder. Recorded over just two days at Orchard Studios with minimal overdubs, the album reunites Daniel with the Rambling Roses—the same group behind 2024’s Leave It Out to Dry. Together, they create something remarkable: a sound that feels immediate yet timeless, raw yet carefully held together. Each track reflects a different thread of Daniel’s world: • “Baby, Baby Blue” pays tribute to the late KSOP (AM 1370), a pillar of country music history • “Holdin’ Up” wrestles with the quiet weight of modern struggles • “Fires Shall Be Ceased” and “Ways to Communicate” channel the enduring spirit of protest and folk tradition • The title track, “Another Golden Hour,” distills it all into something fluid, shimmering, and deeply human This is music about fleeting light, about holding on, about letting go—and about finding hope anyway. Another day. Another golden hour. Listen now and experience it for yourself. #folksong #countrysongs #americanamusic Subscribe to The Rugged Revival. Share it with your friends. Support independent music! Listen to the full podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wnHcgA73o1aiiKaz882vH?si=30aabdaa220a4628 Follow The Rugged Revival: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theruggedrevival/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theruggedrevival Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094507520679 Website: www.theruggedrevival.com Email: ruggedrevival@hotmail.com
Emily Jamerson
Emily Jamerson | Appalachian Singer-Songwriter from Eastern Kentucky | Rugged Revival
Emily Jamerson, a singer-songwriter from Prestonsburg, Kentucky, grew up surrounded by music and family. With a voice shaped by the mountains of eastern Kentucky, Emily's sound is part folk singer, part mountain siren. Her songs point to hope and reveal her love for the mountains she calls home.
Johanna Wacker & Acelia
Johanna Wacker & Acelia - Appalachian & Alternative Folk, from NYC to Richmond VA | Rugged Revival
Johanna Wacker & Acelia join Camden for an honest conversation on the Podcast.From Country, to Appalachian and Folk influences, they share their stories behind their sound and creative process.Tune in!
Philip Bowen
Philip Bowen - From West Virginia Fiddle to Viral Americana Breakout | Rugged Revival
Philip Bowen is one of the most exciting voices in modern Americana. Born and raised in West Virginia, this Appalachian fiddle virtuoso has built a global following through electrifying live performances, viral momentum, and a sound deeply rooted in Appalachian tradition.In this episode of The Rugged Revival Podcast, Philip talks about growing up in Appalachia, picking up the fiddle at just four years old, and how his West Virginia roots continue to shape his identity and music. From winning TikTok’s Greatest Talent competition to reaching the semifinals of America’s Got Talent (Season 18), Philip’s rise has been anything but ordinary.We dive into his debut album Old Kanawha and his sophomore release Appalachia Forever, and what it means to represent Appalachian culture on national stages like NPR’s Mountain Stage, The Bluebird Café, and Americanafest. Philip also shares insights from working as a session player with artists including Noah Kahan, Sam Barber, Jenna Paulette, and Zandi Holup, as well as touring alongside Darius Rucker, Charles Wesley Godwin, 49 Winchester, Ian Munsick, and Wyatt Flores.This is a conversation about West Virginia pride, viral success, traditional fiddle music, Americana storytelling, and the modern resurgence of Appalachian soul.If you care about authentic roots music, Appalachian identity, and the future of Americana, this episode is for you.Subscribe for more conversations with independent country, Americana, and roots artists shaping today’s scene.
Eli Howard
Eli Howard & The Greater Good - High-Energy Folk Rock from Oregon | Rugged Revival
Eli Howard, founder and lead vocalist of Eli Howard & The Greater Good is a folk singer who ended up with an electric guitar. The Greater Good is Nick Lambert, Mason Judson, and Nik Elliot; together, these hippies hail from Molalla, Oregon. Their music offers a unique experience, blending elements of country, rock, and Americana. With infectious hooks, lush harmonies, and introspective storytelling, the songs connect with listeners on an emotional level. Their performances are known for their high energy and engaging stage presence. The band is constantly on the road, touring the United States more than 300 days a year. From the vibrant energy of the dirty South to the grand stages of the biggest country music festivals in the West, their powerful and soul-stirring songs, such as "Wildfire," will captivate you and leave you breathless.
Emily Woodhull
Emily Woodhull – Shenandoah Valley Alternative Country Singer-Songwriter | Rugged Revival
Emily Woodhull left the rush of city life behind for the quiet charm of a small Virginia town, where she found her voice in the stories and emotions of the Shenandoah Valley.With roots in the valley’s timeless beauty and a touch of alternative country, her music weaves vivid imagery with raw emotion. Whether she’s writing by lamplight or collaborating with Nashville’s finest, Emily crafts songs that feel like snapshots of life—authentic, heartfelt, and unforgettable.
Coltt Winter Lepley
Coltt Winter Lepley - Appalachian Artist, Poet, Author, and Former Racecar Driver | Rugged Revival
Coltt Winter Lepley is an Appalachian folksinger/songwriter from Bedford, Pennsylvania. Coltt’s a published poet, author, folklorist, and former racecar driver who has taken his stories on the road as a touring musician. His highly anticipated and long-awaited recording debut is set to release this year, as a self-titled EP, “Coltt Winter Lepley.” The project was produced by Al Torrence at Music Garden Studios north of Pittsburgh, PA. Al Torrence, and other members from The Allegheny High (the band that plays on Charles Wesley Godwin’s albums and live efforts) including Amico Demuzio, Nate Catanzarite, Joe Pinchotti III, as well as Pittsburgh musicians Justin Long and Alan Getto, helped to form the sound around Coltt’s storytelling in his first studio effort.
Justin Trawick
Justin Trawick - DC based band leader, podcaster, and founder of "We Are the 9" | Rugged Revival
Justin Trawick has been performing in the Washington DC area and along the East Coast since 2006, citing musical influences like Bob Schneider, The Tallest Man on Earth, G. Love, Old Crow Medicine Show, and David Gray. In June of 2015, Trawick released his first single, “Goodbye”, under the band name “Justin Trawick and the Common Good”; written about the search for direction and belonging in a world that constantly feels one step ahead of you. Trawick has performed for TedxEast in NYC at the City Winery, TedxPennsylvaniaAvenue in DC at the Newseum, and has opened for over 30 national acts including Suzanne Vega, Wyclef Jean, Brett Dennen, Blues Traveler, Enter The Haggis, Bob Schneider, and Edwin McCain, and shared bills with Dr. Dogg and The Avett Brothers. Justin is the Founder of the nationally touring show “The 9 Songwriter Series” and co-founder of “The Circus Life Podcast.”
Alex Rogers
Alex Rogers - Storytelling, Mental Health, and the Power of Honest Songwriting | Rugged Revival
Alex Rogers is a soulful, introspective, and honest singer/songwriter hailing from South Carolina. His debut single,“Understanding,” released in October 2024, served as the first glimpse into his heartfelt musical world. The track leads into Hand Me Down, his debut EP—an open and vulnerable exploration of the experiences that have shaped him both as an artist and as a person. With themes rooted in mental health and emotional growth, Hand Me Down offers more than just music; it’s an invitation into a shared space of healing, self-reflection, and connection. Through raw storytelling and a sound that’s as emotive as it is sincere, Alex hopes to bring peace of mind and a sense of community to those who listen
Olivia Ellen Lloyd
Olivia Ellen Lloyd - Country, Folk and Indie Rock Artist | Rugged Revival
Olivia Ellen Lloyd crafts straightforward songs where no word is wasted and every emotion is well-earned.Heavily influenced by country, folk, and indie rock, Lloyd’s sound combines the rooted sounds of her traditional Appalachian upbringing with the fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants nature of her current life. She is inspired by the rich sounds of New York City, the peaceful quiet of her small hometown, and everything in between. www.olivialloydmusic.com
Scott Low
Scott Low - Blues Songwriter and Virtuoso From Georgia | Rugged Revival
Scott Low sings songs in the American Folk tradition with a touch of Country and Appalachia performing solo or with his band, The Southern Bouillon.With a wide ranging background stretching from jazz to punk to southern rock, Low pulls from all the things that have shaped him. From Townes and Dylan to Miles and Zappa. Initial comparisons to Jamey Johnson, Ryan Bingham, and Hayes Carll have been written by the more Americana press, but there are touches of Tom Waits, and Nina Simone that linger in the shadows.Over the years Scott has shared the tour stage/road with Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton, Caleb Caudle, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Sammy Kershaw, Shovels & Rope, Chris Knight, and many more.Watch out for his new album "Grateful Blues" which will be out 10th October 2025.
Nicholas Jamerson
Nicholas Jamerson - Faith, Family, and the Frontier | Rugged Revival
The Narrow Way, the new full-length studio record from Kentucky-born singer-songwriter Nicholas Jamerson finds its grace in the space between folk storytelling and backroads country ramble. A heartfelt exploration of life’s struggles, joys, and the search for purpose, the record is rooted in the storytelling traditions of Appalachian roots and Americana music. Produced by the brilliant Rachel Baiman and featuring collaborations with Baiman, Ketch Secor (Old Crow Medicine Show), Tim O’Brien, Shelby Means, and Emily Jamerson, The Narrow Way blends poetic lyrics with authentic melodies to create a deeply personal and universallyresonant listening experience. Weaving together vivid imagery and poignant themes of family, nostalgia, resilience, and redemption, the record is an invitation to reflect on life’s winding paths while celebrating the bumps and beauty of the journey. Jamerson was born into a musical family in eastern Kentucky, where gatherings were full of guitars and songs. “My grandmother always had a camera rolling, which taught me early on that life is worth documenting” he says. “That’s what I try to do through songwriting: turn ordinary moments into something meaningful.” Starting out with piano and choir as a child, Jamerson added guitar, banjo and mandolin to his repertoire along the way. After college, he co-founded the band Sundy Best and has released a dozen records between them and his solo work and band over the last thirteen years. “Music has taken me places I never dreamed, like the Ryman and the Grand Ole Opry” he tells, “but more than anything, it’s a way for me to honor place and people, and to help others feel seen and proud of where they come from.” These days, in addition to his own music, Jamerson is working to mentor the next generation, helping other writers find their voice through projects like the Sleeping in the Woods Songwriter Festival. Thematically, The Narrow Way is a meditation on walking a difficult but purposeful path while holding onto faith and integrity while navigating the messiness of life. Those universal touchstones of the human experience - faith and doubt, the complexity of family ties (love, conflict, reconciliation, and the longing for connection and understanding), and the heartache of nostalgia and loss, are all to be found within The Narrow Way. The rain feeds the flowers, and the deep greys are balanced by the lightness found through the dignity of hard work, the sharing of struggles, and the emotional labor of pushing through hardship. Buoyed by and undercurrent of hope for personal renewal, forgiveness, and a clearer path forward, Jamerson hopes that listeners find the record a cathartic experience. “My hope is that it shakes something loose inside them—something they’ve been holding onto for too long—so they can finally let it go and leave it behind” he says. Written with a painterly economy of language, his songs shimmer in the space between narrative and allegory; a kaleidoscope of meditations set to music, they transcend genre and hit straight to the heart. Expertly arranged and elegantly executed, it is a record built around eminently engaging melody and Jamerson’s soaring voice; clear and bright as the stars on a winter night. The Narrow Way is the final chapter in a trilogy that traces a journey of self-discovery, faith, and perseverance—written from the heart of Appalachia, where the sacred and the simple meet. With a voice rooted in tradition and a pen sharpened by experience, Jamerson invites listeners to walk with him through the shadows towards something honest and eternal. The Narrow Way is a soul-stirring blend of mountain wisdom and familial remembrance, written by someone that carries the weight of memory, the fire of purpose, and the humility of a man still learning.
Susannah Clegg
Susannah Clegg - Exploring the UK Country & Americana Scene
In this episode of Sound Check, TJ is joined by UK independent Country and Americana artist, Susannah Clegg.They delve into the intricacies of being an independent artist in the UK music scene. Susannah shares her journey from part-time musician to full-time artist, discussing the challenges of balancing creativity with the demands of social media and marketing. Susannah highlights the supportive nature of the UK music community while also addressing the need for more opportunities for original artists. The conversation explores her unique storytelling approach to songwriting, her influences, and her upcoming projects, providing listeners with a comprehensive view of her artistic journey and the evolving landscape of UK Country Music.
Martha Spencer
Martha Spencer – Mountain Music from the Blue Ridge
Martha Spencer is a singer-songwriter, mountain musician and dancer from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. She grew up in the musical Spencer family and learned to play several instruments (guitar, fiddle, banjo, bass, dulcimer, mandolin) and flatfoot/clog at a young age. She performs and has recorded with various groups and has been involved with several roots music projects. She has played shows, festivals and led workshops across the US, Australia, UK, Canada, and Europe. Martha’s first solo album 2018 and latest release “Wonderland” in 2022 have been featured in articles in Rolling Stone Country, No Depression, Holler, Wide Open Country, Bluegrass Situation, Americana Highways, PopMatters and more. She also has been included in articles in the NY Times, Austin Chronicle and Billboard and was a part of the Fiddlin’ documentary movie. https://www.marthaspencermusic.com/
Presley Haile
Presley Haile – Folk-Country with Heart from Texas
Presley Haile, a talented singer-songwriter from Hamilton, Texas, found her love for music at 16. Influenced by artists like James Taylor and Patty Griffin, she blends folk, country, and Americana to create her unique sound. Keep an eye out for this rising star as she takes the industry by storm with her captivating music.
Nathan Bess
Nathan Bess – West Virginia Americana Songwriter
Nathan Bess is a singer-songwriter born and raised in the Charleston area of West Virginia. Influenced by Country, Americana, and Folk genres, he began his music career in 2024 with the release of two EPs titled “part 1” and “part 2” which are a small showcase of his sound.
Conrad Moore
Conrad Moore – Folk Stories of the Southern Working Man
Conrad Moore is a North Georgia native singer-songwriter who captures the soul of the working southern man. His songs have roots in folk storytelling which nod to the ups and downs of life, love, and the pursuit of happiness. All washed in hints of booze, half-truths, and motel rooms. His lyrics personify Mother Nature and her dance with Appalachia. The human condition and blue-collar woes are often his muses. Although his songs have no shortage of heartbreak and day to day strife. Conrad produces a relatable angst of a generation growing up within the confines of a flawed American dream. Not without hope, his music shares with us what's left to save about the southland.
Kindred Valley
Kindred Valley – Indie Folk from West Virginia
Indie folk band Kindred Valley started when three friends with a passion for music met at Marshall University in 2020. Initially under the name Back Row Baptists, Blake Lacy, Noah Freeman and Brett McCoy met in Huntington, West Virginia, and began writing and recording music together. The band released its first singles as a trio but found its footing in 2021 with three new members - Husband and Wife Rachael and Jadon Hayes and Kaden Salmons. After releasing their self-titled debut album at the end of 2022 the band took to traveling and playing shows as often as they could manage. More time together meant new ideas and songs shared amongst each other - many of which felt like expansions on the ideas of their self-titled release. As the band continued to refine and develop their live show, each song took on a new sound more closely resembling a more experienced and practiced Kindred Valley. Though it took time to decide how to properly share these songs with the world, the band agreed that the sooner it was able to, the better. Recorded between Noah’s unfinished - and now finished - basement as well as the Hayes’ home studio, the project showcases a dynamically contrasting collection of songs that not only displays the growth of the band up to now, but also points towards potential creative directions of future works as well.
Jonathan Peyton
Jonathan Peyton – Georgia Americana and Folk Storyteller
Jonathan Peyton is a singer/songwriter from Woodstock, Georgia. Jonathan writes emotion-evoking songs that tell a story and captivate audiences by their relatability and honesty. He says that “Writing music has become a way of processing through life and relating to others and their stories.”
Leon Majcen
Leon Majcen – Florida Folk-Country from Bosnian Roots
Leon Majcen is a musician whose story is one of resilience and determination. He grew up on the Gulf Coast of Florida, the son of Bosnian war refugees who had fled the country in search of a better life for their children. From a young age, Leon was drawn to the power of storytelling through music, particularly the work of artists like Townes Van Zandt, John Prine, Bob Dylan and Guy Clark. Leon began playing in local bars while still in high school, honing his craft and building a loyal following. After high school, he decided to pursue his passion for music in New York City, while attending college at New York University and playing shows around town. After a while, Leon came to the realisation that the hustle and bustle of the city wasn't where his heart was at and returned home to take a job at a commercial fishing dock while planning his next move to Nashville. Since arriving in music city, Leon has continued to develop his unique blend of Folk, Country and Americana, drawing on his experiences and love of the outdoors to craft songs that are honest and powerful.
Jack Browning
Jack Browning – London Folk-Blues Inspired by Neil Young
Jack Browning is a 26-year-old artist and musician hailing from London, UK. A sucker for folk, blues, and country music, Jack divides his time between the recording studio, the art studio, and touring the UK and Europe. Raising beers and cheers equally, Jack weaves a line drawing from traditional titans and new-age outlaws alike, from Neil Young and Tom Petty to Willie Watson and Colter Wall. #ukcountrymusic #realcountrymusic #countryartist #musicpodcast
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FAQ
What is the difference between folk and Americana?
Folk emphasizes acoustic storytelling and intimate songwriting traditions, while Americana blends folk with country, blues, and roots influences into a broader Americana sound. Many artists on The Rugged Revival, like Justin Trawick and Presley Haile, work across both genres, but folk artists tend toward a more acoustic, narrative-focused approach.
Who are some of the best folk artists to start with on The Rugged Revival?
Try Emily Woodhull, Susannah Clegg, and Alex Rogers for compelling singer-songwriter folk, or explore group dynamics with Kindred Valley and Smilo & The Ghost. Each brings a distinct take on folk tradition while maintaining the genre's core commitment to honest, acoustic storytelling.
Is folk music still relevant today?
Absolutely—folk's power lies in its ability to speak truth through simple arrangements and strong songwriting, making it as relevant now as ever. Artists like Sunny War, Nathan Bess, and Emily Jamerson prove that folk continues to attract musicians and listeners seeking authenticity in an oversaturated musical landscape.