Folk Files

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

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/

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."
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/

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:

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/