contemporary folk music artists
14 published contemporary folk music artists, led by Bon Iver, Kris Kristofferson and Odetta.
At a glance
14 published contemporary folk music artists; 227 studio albums have verified cover art.
- Published artists1 tier 1 · 3 tier 2 · 10 tier 3
- 14
- Release groups
- 760
- Studio albums
- 240
- Albums with cover artverified Cover Art Archive
- 227
- Timeline events
- 303
- Monthly listenerssum across artists
- 17.6M
- Average career spanfirst to last dated release
- 42.8 years
- Full biographies
- 7
- Biography words
- 22,500
When they started
Debut decade from each artist's earliest dated release. Most debuts fell in the 1960s (4 artists).
| Decade | Artists |
|---|---|
| 1950s | 1 |
| 1960s | 4 |
| 1970s | 2 |
| 1980s | 1 |
| 1990s | 1 |
| 2000s | 4 |
Where they come from
Countries with the most contemporary folk music artists. United States leads with 3.
Often paired with
Genres that share artists with contemporary folk music. The most shared is rock music, with 5 artists in both.
Covers from contemporary folk music
227 studio albums have verified cover art. The 12 shown come from the most famous artists.
SABLE, fABLE
Bon Iver · 2025
i,i
Bon Iver · 2019
22, a Million
Bon Iver · 2016
Bon Iver, Bon Iver
Bon Iver · 2011
For Emma, Forever Ago
Bon Iver · 2007
Kris Kristofferson & Friends: Live at the Record Plant 1973
Kris Kristofferson · 2018
The Cedar Creek Sessions
Kris Kristofferson · 2016
Feeling Mortal
Kris Kristofferson · 2013
Closer to the Bone
Kris Kristofferson · 2009
This Old Road
Kris Kristofferson · 2006
The Austin Sessions
Kris Kristofferson · 1999
A Moment of Forever
Kris Kristofferson · 1995
Leaders
Reinhard Mey has the most release groups (175); Odetta the longest career (68 years); Kris Kristofferson the most awards (16).
Most prolific
| Artist | release groups |
|---|---|
| Reinhard Mey | 175 |
| Óscar Chávez | 116 |
| Kris Kristofferson | 74 |
| Bon Iver | 70 |
| First Aid Kit | 68 |
Longest careers
first to last dated release
| Artist | years |
|---|---|
| Odetta | 68 |
| Reinhard Mey | 61 |
| Kris Kristofferson | 55 |
| Óscar Chávez | 55 |
| Jacques Higelin | 50 |
Most decorated
| Artist | awards |
|---|---|
| Kris Kristofferson | 16 |
| Lillebjørn Nilsen | 9 |
| Reinhard Mey | 5 |
| Bon Iver | 4 |
| First Aid Kit | 4 |
Most famous contemporary folk music artists
Bon Iver
United States · Group · 2006–present
rock music, folk rock, folk music, art pop, folktronica, indie folk, contemporary folk music
17.6M listeners · 37 wikis
Kris Kristofferson
United States · Person · born 1936
rock music, country music, contemporary folk music
65 wikis
Odetta
United States · Person · born 1930
pop music, traditional folk music, country blues, jazz blues, contemporary folk music
37 wikis
Glen Hansard
Ireland · Person · born 1970
rock music, folk rock, traditional folk music, indie rock, indie pop, indie folk, contemporary folk music
37 wikis
Tommy Emmanuel
Australia · Person · born 1955
rock music, country music, blues, contemporary folk music
31 wikis
Jacques Higelin
France · Person · born 1940
pop music, chanson, contemporary folk music
22 wikis
Reinhard Mey
Germany · Person · born 1942
contemporary folk music
20 wikis
First Aid Kit
Sweden · Group · 2007–present
traditional folk music, folk music, contemporary folk music
18 wikis
Hevia
Spain · Person · born 1967
contemporary folk music
18 wikis
Óscar Chávez
Mexico · Person · born 1935
contemporary folk music
16 wikis
Lillebjørn Nilsen
Norway · Person · born 1950
traditional folk music, contemporary folk music, visa
14 wikis
Luar na Lubre
Spain · Group · 1986–present
Celtic music, contemporary folk music
13 wikis
