Troubled Folk Songs : Playlist

I suppose it’s time to release this playlist into the wild. I’ve been working on it since November, gradually. Initially I named this one “Things I’m Sensitive To.”

I’d been fascinated by this concept of ‘unearthed’ records for a minute, but had little guidance after a while and so went it alone. Over the next few weeks, I discovered the Numero Uno group but also did some heavy research seeking distinctly lo-fi private pressings from the very early 70s, or things that tend to be classified as “loner acid folk?” I guess, meaning that it was people who had been exposed to drug-influenced music and recorded without much support or fanfare. It’s the original “bedroom” pop, often consisting of records recorded in kitchens or church basements. But the “things I’m sensitive to” ethos was what mattered most – this sound draws something out of my heart in a crystalline, painful good way.

Anyway, the other uncanny, or maybe not so uncanny, thing these songwriters had in common is typically eventually facing a horrible demise. I didn’t go looking for songs by troubled folk, I found the songs first, then lo and behold, over and over I’d look the artist up and read of their tragic history. Probable that there’s a link between putting out one single record, then falling into obscurity before dying by your own hand in some convoluted way. Hence, the name change.

In the vein of “things I’m sensitive to,” the songs are more recognizable and then spiral towards obscurity. I’m still constantly adding to this list. And a word of caution, this was my go-to playlist for sympathy (in the most literal sense) but I’ve been avoiding it because in this time and place, I don’t know if I need to be *more* sensitive. I put it on today and now I’m a mess. But it’s such a good one.

Anyway, enjoy.