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tiny desk contest 2022
black folk that built us
As a folk musician, it is impossible to disregard the influence that Black & African Americans have had on this genre. From the slave song tradition to the ballads of the rural southeast, black musicians have been integral to the development, growth, and evolution of American folk music.
I’ve been making a large effort to familiarise myself with & listen to these founding artists of folk. In my efforts, I’ve put together a playlist of some of the greats. This list is by no means exhaustive, and hardly grazes the surface of the vast catalogue of black blues & folk musicians, but I have had the most incredible experience reading about and listening to these songs.
The playlist is chronological; a walk through history. My hope is that it continues to grow as I continue to listen. If you have any additions in mind, please send them my way (especially more modern artists!).
I’m eager to continue to celebrate & learn about the rich culture of the black citizens of this country - especially in this arena. We love folk music. We love it’s roots. We love the people who planted them.
P.S. The artist pictured is Elizabeth Cotten. She’s incredible in many ways, but most immediately because she plays her guitar left handed. Her travis picking is thus driven by her pinky as opposed to her thumb (!!!). Truly amazing.
tiny desk contest 2019
the living room sessions
SLAM (Salem Local Area Music) is a production of Capital Community Television Music and features the best of local music & artists passing through the Willamette Valley. For "SLAM: The Living Room Edition" Scotland born & Oregon grown folk singer/songwriter Rebecca McDade welcomed CCTV Music into her home for a rare full band performance of songs from her latest album "To Call Home".
rebecca mcdade on kgw
Rebecca stopped into the KGW Studios to chat about her recently released album on Portland Today.
blood moon music festival
Rebecca mcdade joins the lineup
BLOOD MOON MUSIC FEST
Is an artist-first, artist-curated, and artist-run music festival. The brain-child of NW-Indie Group, Sleep Millennium, the festival strives to create a meaningful and memorable experience for music lovers, their friends, and families by showcasing independent artists and their original music.
The BMMF Team is a passionate group of indie artists, independent businesses, and DIY-ers. We live for amazing musical experiences and creating a platform to provide meaning in the lives of music lovers. It's a dream come true to have the opportunity to create our own music festival and we look forward to meeting you at Kathken Vineyards for Blood Moon Music Fest, July 14th, 2018
"Into gold" - salem weekly news
“I’ve seen Rebecca McDade play many times and have always been impressed by her distinct guitar picking style, voice, lyrics, and poise she brings to her style of indie-folk... What McDade has already done is truly impressive”
"Needle in the Straw" at the Rye Room
“In part, it was the sense of “home and heart” that drew McDade to the genre. Perhaps because home wasn’t always constant, but there was always plenty of heart to go around. Mcdade adds, “[Folk music is the] music of the people. A really beautiful folk song’s biggest hope is to be able to connect people in the softest and strongest ways. A folk song is everyone’s.””
"whys & dioramas" at the Rye Room
to call home review from #womencrushmusic
“Whether folk includes banjos, five vocalists, or just a twelve-string guitar, several things hold the genre together: storytelling, vulnerability, and a look into daily life. This trifecta of qualities is exactly what makes “To Call Home” by Rebecca McDade a standout collection. ”
To Call Home is Out Now
Rebecca McDade's debut album is available everywhere where music is distributed.
