I made this playlist on Spotify around a very specific kind of folk song: mostly 60s/70s acoustic material, singer-songwriter records, and a few obscure or half-forgotten recordings that feel like they belong in the same small room.

The thread is not just “sad folk.” It’s more private than that. Songs with a late-night stillness to them, where the arrangement leaves a lot of air around the voice. Guitar, restraint, loneliness, memory, and that feeling of someone trying to say one true thing without dressing it up too much.

There’s Leonard Cohen, Nick Drake, Sandy Denny, Jackson C. Frank, Townes Van Zandt, Bert Jansch, Vashti Bunyan, Tim Buckley, John Martyn, Blaze Foley, Gene Clark, Sibylle Baier, and others in that orbit.

It isn’t meant as a definitive folk canon. It’s a personal collection of quiet, lyrical, mostly acoustic songs that feel fragile without being sentimental.

I’d love to hear recommendations that fit this same atmosphere, especially older folk, singer-songwriter records, private press, loner folk, or overlooked acoustic songs.

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Альбом «Міжсьветы» - гэта гук, які нарадзіўся дзесьці паміж палескімі балотамі, старадаўнімі матывамі і тым, што звычайна прыходзіць толькі ў снах. Гэта падарожжа праз туман, агонь, памяць і цішыню.

Асаблівае месца ў альбоме займае сумесная праца Цішыні Успамінаў і Belle Morte «Шлях» - для тых, хто хоча пачуць беларускую музыку за межамі чаканага.

Гэта момант, дзе альбом «Міжсьветы» канчаткова перастае быць проста фолк-эмбіентам.

Трэк пачынаецца як туманная фолк-балада, але паступова ператвараецца ў цяжкую, амаль тэатральную містэрыю ў чатырох актах. Тут славянскія матывы сустракаюцца з дум-металам, чысты жаночы вакал - з гроўлам, а лірычная прыгажосць - з адчуваннем, зямля сыходзіць з-пад ног.

Originally not written for guitar. I like the way in which the mood shifts between hope and despair.

Two questions: it's on the longer side, so does it earn its length (full version would have additional instrumentation to vary the sound)? And does the shifting meaning of the title land with each verse?

Also, I'm thinking of writing an EP or album of songs about '90s wrestling if y'all have any ideas for characters or storylines that would fit the project. Thanks!

The Hurrian Hymn is supposedly the oldest surviving song with notation, around 3,400 years old.

I find it hard to know how to listen to it. On one hand, it is incredible that anything like this survived at all. On the other hand, every version we hear now is partly a reconstruction, so it is not quite the same as listening to an “old song” in the usual sense. But I guess this is true for all folk songs.

Some recordings sound like early music. Some sound more like ambient or experimental music. Some feel more like archaeology than performance.

Have you heard versions you like?
Do you treat it as music, history, or both?
And do you know any modern songs or pieces that use it or are inspired by it?

I wrote a piece about it and collected some versions here, if anyone wants more:
https://songsfromthedead.substack.com/p/ep-21-hurrian-hymn-what-does-a-3400

Walk On the Mild Side explores the gentle side of contemporary music, where indie folk, ambient pop, soft electronica, folktronica and modern jazz meet. This carefully curated playlist blends intimate songwriting, warm acoustic textures, subtle grooves and atmospheric soundscapes.

Featuring artists such as Tunng, Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver, Four Tet, Arooj Aftab, Leifur James and Nala Sinephro, the playlist moves between contemplative folk, dreamy electronic textures, spiritual jazz influences and alternative pop sensibilities.

Designed for relaxed listening, quiet evenings, meditation, creative work or peaceful walks, Walk On the Mild Side offers a calm and introspective musical landscape where melodies unfold slowly and atmospheres breathe.

H-Music

Changes are easy, D to E. The chorus is a little tricky because there is an extra bar on the D chord that bleeds into the next measure. Another traditional song too. Thanks for the opportunity to share the music I love with you all!

Split Screen Harmonies & Instruments

Filmed in a small apartment in The Czech Republic