Folk Files

Latest Episodes:

Episode #3.9 - Fol-de-rol and Fiddle-dee-dee Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

Non-lexical vocables are syllables without any semantic meaning, sometimes called “nonsense syllables.” In this episode of Folk Files, we’ll explore lilting, yodeling, konnakol, throat singing, and other vocable traditions from around the world. During our global musical journey, we’ll discover that these syllables carry meaning, even though they don’t have definitions.

For a list of all musical excerpts used in this episode, click here: https://folkfilespodcast.com/episodes/season-3/episode-3-9/

Host: Olivia Harding

Support Folk Files by joining the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast

Assistant Producer: Aaron J. Morton

Folk Files is a member of the Bluegrass Situation. Learn more about BGS here: https://thebluegrasssituation.com/

Interested in sponsoring Folk Files? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

Episode #3.8 - Beat the Drum Slowly Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

The Anglo-Irish ballad "The Unfortunate Lad," the cowboy classic "Streets of Laredo," and the blues song "St. James of Infirmary" are often considered different versions of the same song. But it's possible that this categorization was influenced by careless and dubious scholarship. In addition to examining the relationship between these different songs, this episode of Folk Files looks at how these ballads (#2 in the Roud Folk Song Index) functioned as PSAs that educated listeners about public health concerns. (Content note: this episode discusses STIs).

For a list of all musical excerpts used in this episode, click here: https://folkfilespodcast.com/episodes/season-3/episode-3-8/

Host: Olivia Harding

Support Folk Files by joining the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast

Assistant Producer: Aaron J. Morton

Folk Files is a member of the Bluegrass Situation. Learn more about BGS here: https://thebluegrasssituation.com/

Interested in sponsoring Folk Files? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

Episode #3.7 - I Got the Blues Jul 17, 2026

Show notes

According to many textbooks, the blues is a genre that was born in the rural Mississippi Delta, with roots in the “sorrow songs” of enslaved people. It’s easy, however, to poke holes in this origin story and instead start to see the blues as a joyful, rebellious musical expression that formed in an urban environment. In this episode of Folk Files, we’ll take a look at different theories about the origin of the blues, separate fact from fiction, and uncover the reason why the Mississippi Delta narrative was promoted so strongly. (Note: episode has occasional explicit language and sexual references).

For a list of all musical excerpts used in this episode, click here: https://folkfilespodcast.com/episodes/season-3/episode-3-7/

Host: Olivia Harding

Chris Thomas King’s The Blues: The Authentic Narrative of My Music and Culture: https://www.chicagoreviewpress.com/the-blues-products-9780897336482.php

Visit the Delta Blues Museum: https://www.deltabluesmuseum.org/

Support Folk Files by joining the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast

Assistant Producer: Aaron J. Morton

Folk Files is a member of the Bluegrass Situation. Learn more about BGS here: https://thebluegrasssituation.com/

Interested in sponsoring Folk Files? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

Episode #3.6 - There Was Two Brothers Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

Whereas the “Two Sisters” murder ballad is a complete, coherent story, “Two Brothers” is messy. What’s the motive? Who are these brothers? Who kills who? In this episode of Folk Files, we search for the answers to these questions… and discover a dark hypothesis for why the story is so vague. (Content warning: this episode discusses themes that may not be appropriate for children).

Folk Files is now a member of the Bluegrass Situation. Learn more about BGS here: https://thebluegrasssituation.com/

For a list of all musical excerpts used in this episode, click here: https://folkfilespodcast.com/season-3/episode-3-6/

Host: Olivia Harding

Explore the Derek Piotr Fieldwork Archive: https://fieldwork-archive.com/

Support Folk Files by joining the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast

Assistant Producer: Aaron J. Morton

Interested in sponsoring Folk Files? Contact BGS: https://bit.ly/sponsorBGSpods

Episode #3.5 - Rise Again May 17, 2026

Show notes

Stan Rogers was one of Canada's greatest singer-songwriters, despite his music having never had major distribution or significant radio playtime. In this episode, I discuss the (tragically short) life of the impressive baritone and dissect his songs in order to answer this question: What makes his songs such instant folk classics?

Host and Producer: Olivia Harding

Assistant Producer: Aaron J. Morton

Learn more about TransTrad: https://www.transtradfest.org/

Watch the One Warm Line: The Legacy of Stan Rogers: https://youtu.be/-h9A2RAfv9M?si=EJMzxJbvwi_upiEj

Support Folk Files by joining the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FolkFilesPodcast

For a full list of musical excerpts, head to the Folk Files website: https://folkfilespodcast.com/season-3/episode-3-5/

Episode #3.4 - There Were Two Sisters Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

A harrowing murder ballad in which an older sister shoves her younger sister in the water (and sometimes a musician makes an instrument from the drowned girl's corpse) can be found all over Great Britain, North America, and Scandinavia. But where did it originally come from? And how has the story changed as it's traveled across seas? Find out in this episode of Folk Files, all about "Twa Sisters."

CORRECTION: The artist named as "Kate Corwen" should actually be "Kate Fletcher" (Kate Fletcher performs in a duo with Corwen Broch)

Host: Olivia Harding

Learn more about the Spokane Fall Folk Festival: https://www.spokanefolkfestival.org/

For more on this ballad, check out the In the Roud podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pj8x5X1kCc0

Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/FolkFilesPodcast

Special thanks to Aaron J. Morton

For a full list of musical excerpts associated with this episode, head to the episode page on the new Folk Files website: https://folkfilespodcast.com/uncategorized/episode-3-4/

Episode #3.3 - The Music of Temple Bar Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

In this St. Patrick's Day episode, I ask the question: Is it actually Irish? We will explore over thirty songs that are performed in Irish contexts and see if they actually come from Irish sources. Along the way, we'll discuss the Rising of 1798, the history of Dublin, the Great Famine, and the Irish diaspora.

Host: Olivia Harding

Learn more about the Albuquerque Folk Festival: https://www.abqfolkfest.org/

Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/FolkFilesPodcast

Special thanks to Aaron J. Morton

For a full list of musical excerpts associated with this episode, head to the episode page on the new Folk Files website:

Episode #3.2 - He Never Returned Feb 19, 2026

Show notes

Is "The MTA Song" a conservative song or a communist song (or neither)? And why did record companies try to hide the origins of the tune of one of the most prolific early 20th century country songs? Find out in this episode of Folk Files, which discusses "The MTA," "The Wreck of the Old '97," and "The Ship That Never Returned."

Host: Olivia Harding

Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast

Check out the new website: https://folkfilespodcast.com/

Special thanks to Aaron J. Morton

Reach out to Folk Files at folkfilespodcast@gmail.com

For a full list of musical excerpts associated with this episode, head to the episode page on the Folk Files website: https://folkfilespodcast.com/season-3/episode-3-2/

Episode #3.1 - Piping in the Haggis Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to the third season of Folk Files! We are starting off the year with a Robert Burns-themed episode to celebrate Burns Night on January 25th. Learn about the traditions associated with the Burns Night Supper and discover how Robert Burns was indispensable when it came to preserving Scottish folk music.

Host: Olivia Harding

Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast

Check out the new website: https://folkfilespodcast.com/

Listen to The Rhythm Atlas: https://rhythmatlas.com/listen/

Special thanks to Aaron J. Morton

Reach out to Folk Files at folkfilespodcast@gmail.com

For a full list of musical excerpts associated with this episode, head to the episode page on the Folk Files website: https://folkfilespodcast.com/season-3/episode-3-1/

Episode #2.12 - Lully, Lulla Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

Happy Holidays! Coventry Carol is a lullaby to a "little tiny child"...but surprisingly, that child is not Jesus. Learn more about this Christmas carol that was almost lost to time, including the history of modern Western Theatre and the origins of the picardy third, in this final episode of the second season of Folk Files.

Host: Olivia Harding

Support Folk Files: https://www.patreon.com/c/FolkFilesPodcast

Special thanks to Aaron J. Morton

Musical excerpts:

ARTIST: The Sixteen

WORK: The Coventry Carol

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/_jIYyPOoEc8?si=mgPi4WH4G9LUnMT7

ARTIST: Sting (from A Winter's Night Live from Durham Cathedral)

WORK: Coventry Carol

SOURCE: https://youtu.be/hahwYqQd_gA?si=wJR4Qz-ZmUW9IaD2

ARTIST: Nora Fischer and Marnix Dorrestein

WORK: Oblivion Soave from Monteverdi's L'Incoronazione di Poppea