THE NEW FOLK

By CHRIS BLAGG

WHEN PEOPLE HEAR THE TERM FOLK MUSIC, THEY TYPICALLY CONJURE images of acoustic guitar players in hushed coffeehouses, or maybe of beloved 1960’s icons like Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. Over the years, however, folk has evolved with the times, welcoming an abundance of diversity—in sound, style, instrumentation and people—under its umbrella, and celebrating a return to its original roots.

Enter Valerie June. She stands at the vanguard of a movement in folk and roots music that is helping to infuse some much-needed African-American representation into the folk genre. Along with other luminaries like Rhiannon Giddens, Adia Victoria, Allison Russell and others, June’s self-proclaimed “organic moonshine roots music” is broadening the images and sounds of contemporary folk music.

June, who makes her Rockport debut on November 13, is touring behind her new record, the acclaimed Under Cover, where the singer interprets classics from John Lennon, Gillian Welch, Mazzy Star, Nick Cave and Nick Drake among others. No one working today sounds like her. The Memphis-based singer-songwriter blends psychedelic Appalachian folk with dream pop, earthy gospel and something she calls “astral soul.” It’s that distinct mélange of music, all swirled together in one intoxicating brew that lies at the heart of her appeal. Valerie doesn’t just cross boundaries. She performs as if they never existed in the first place. And folk music is all the better for it.

A few weeks later (December 1), we get more alternative folk with the arrival of a double bill of Keller Williams and Steve Poltz. The two make their Rockport debut as part of their cheekily titled Shut the Folk Up and Listen tour. Both are veterans of the music scene. Keller has made a name for himself in the jamband circuit as a one-man showstopper whose intricate and inventive guitar work is matched only by his outsized personality and deft use of looping pedals. Poltz first made waves as the frontman for the indie rock band The Rugburns before going solo with his own more whimsical, folksy style. While dating the pop superstar Jewel in the 90s, he wrote what would become her breakout hit “You Were Meant for Me.” He has since released fourteen solo records, including this year’s acclaimed Stardust & Satellites Despite both using acoustic guitars as their instrument of choice, they are far from those classic 60’s folkies in the coffeehouse. Luckily for us, folk now has a big tent.

NOVEMBER 13

Valerie June