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Folk Files

Olivia Harding
Folk Files
Latest episode

32 episodes

  • Folk Files

    Episode #3.5 - Rise Again

    2026-05-17 | 22 mins.
    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/
  • Folk Files

    Episode #3.4 - There Were Two Sisters

    2026-04-24 | 27 mins.
    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/
  • Folk Files

    Episode #3.3 - The Music of Temple Bar

    2026-03-16 | 40 mins.
    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:
  • Folk Files

    Episode #3.2 - He Never Returned

    2026-02-19 | 27 mins.
    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 [email protected]
    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/
  • Folk Files

    Episode #3.1 - Piping in the Haggis

    2026-01-20 | 26 mins.
    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 [email protected]
    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/
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About Folk Files
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!
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Folk Files: Podcasts in Family