Folk Files

Olivia Harding
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  • Music History
  • Updated Monthly

Welcome to Folk Files, a podcast hosted by Olivia Harding that seeks to uncover the mysteries of folk music throughout the ages and dive deep into the tangled history of murder ballads, sea shanties, rebel songs, and other music that has withstood the test of time!

  1. Episode #3.6 - There Was Two Brothers

    5d ago

    Episode #3.6 - There Was Two Brothers

    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

    29 min
  2. Episode #3.5 - Rise Again

    May 17

    Episode #3.5 - Rise Again

    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/

    22 min
  3. Episode #3.4 - There Were Two Sisters

    Apr 24

    Episode #3.4 - There Were Two Sisters

    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/

    27 min
  4. Episode #3.3 - The Music of Temple Bar

    Mar 16

    Episode #3.3 - The Music of Temple Bar

    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:

    41 min
  5. Episode #3.2 - He Never Returned

    Feb 19

    Episode #3.2 - He Never Returned

    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/

    27 min
  6. Episode #3.1 - Piping in the Haggis

    Jan 20

    Episode #3.1 - Piping in the Haggis

    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/

    27 min
  7. Episode #2.12 - Lully, Lulla

    2025-12-18

    Episode #2.12 - Lully, Lulla

    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 SOURCE: https://youtu.be/JTHQqJDV4os?si=820upsG60MJJyC5M   ARTIST: Jeanette Blakeley WORK: "Lullaby" from Menotti's The Consul SOURCE: https://youtu.be/nImWN8o1f-E?si=Coj_UsTcod6m1Bbr   ARTIST: Barry and Beth Hall WORK: Coventry Carol SOURCE: https://youtu.be/JCFg4S3kSV4?si=CleozvHduvVsAAxB   ARTIST: Chicago WORK: Wishing You Were Here SOURCE: https://youtu.be/Zv0OwvsP0ek?si=cVc25wbawFlT7pkw   ARTIST: The Zombies WORK: Time of the Season SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8ecsAI3FhY   ARTIST: Alison Moyet WORK: The Coventry Carol SOURCE: https://youtu.be/kcrYqDqCN_Y?si=DoKE80e3peRMtvSo   ARTIST: The Choir of Magdalen College Oxford WORK: Song of the Nuns of Chester SOURCE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0UtKzXb9Js   ARTIST: The Cambridge Singers WORK: Coventry Carol (composed by Kenneth Leighton) SOURCE: https://youtu.be/uAA0lZ1YG90?si=VQYE2a0KSeFhZGks   ARTIST: Sufjan Stevens WORK: Coventry Carol SOURCE: https://youtu.be/o6492UYw_hs?si=U0k6ZlmkfoIcULct

    25 min
  8. Bonus Episode: The Ballad World of Anna Gordon

    2025-12-05 ·  Bonus

    Bonus Episode: The Ballad World of Anna Gordon

    In this bonus episode of Folk Files, I interview Ruth Perry, the author of The Ballad World of Anna Gordon, Mrs. Brown of Falkland. Anna Gordon is one of the most famous source singers in the history of folk music from the British Isles, and Ruth Perry's book dives into her life as a woman and ballad singer in 18th century Scotland. The book is available at https://global.oup.com/academic/ It's pricy, and understandably so, since it contains a wealth of new information and scholarship, but you can use the discount code AAFLYG6 to save 30%. You can listen to the accompanying ballads for free at https://global.oup.com/booksites/content/9780198939092/ In this episode, I use clips from the following songs: Lady Elspat, King Henry, Lamkin, and Thomas Rymer & Queen of Elfland You can purchase a CD with all twelve of the ballads at birnamcdshop.com or on Amazon (See more information here: https://www.birnamcd.com/birnam-pr/anna-gordon/ ) This interview has been edited for time. Special Thanks to Ruth Perry and Aaron J. Morton

    46 min
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About

Welcome to Folk Files, a podcast hosted by Olivia Harding that seeks to uncover the mysteries of folk music throughout the ages and dive deep into the tangled history of murder ballads, sea shanties, rebel songs, and other music that has withstood the test of time!

Information

  • Creator
    Olivia Harding
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Olivia Harding
  • Show Website
    Folk Files

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