Folk music has traditionally been the commoner’s music, with the individual having full control over its composition. Whether fusing rock ‘n’ roll with American folk like The Byrds or blending soulful orchestrations into folk like Bon Iver, the ability of innovative artists to meld musical influences into American folk music is tremendous. Read more...

Photo: Just as The Byrds revolutionized folk music by blending it with rock ‘n’ roll, Bon Iver has shaken up the genre by introducing intricate orchestrations to give it a melancholic sound.