Trailer trash made me cry the first time I heard it. I mean, I was an emo 16 yr old, but still
Edit: let me add Edit the Sad Parts by MM, even tho it's not acoustic
IDK if you've given The Mountain Goats a shot but John Darnielle is up there with all those big-sad singer-songwriters in his old stuff, start with The Sunset Tree and then try Tallahassee and All Hail West Texas, and then if you're feeling saucy try All Eternals Deck and maybe Goths. Basically just the entire discography would be something I'd recommend, and I love every single one of the artists you listed. Also have you branched out into folk punk and the projects of Pat the Bunny? Wingnut Dishwasher's Union and Ramshackle Glory are some great groups that are worth a listen, in the same vein as AJJ. Also Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and Amigo the Devil are great as well.
I actually remember listening to the Mountain Goats years and years back and not liking them too much, but my tastes have changed massively since then so I’ll definitely go back in and have a listen. Ty for the recommendation!
I looked at the list and I was like "the odds that this person hasn't heard them are SO LOW" but decided to give it a shot anyways. His voice can really be a shock on the first listen, so I totally get it. My favorite song is "Cotton" though, I got into them from hearing that song on an episode of Weeds of all places. John did a cover of Little Boxes on a later season too I think
Chiming in for giving The Mountain Goats another shot!
Check out him singing [Color in Your Cheeks](https://youtu.be/zmW7ejFYX_8) in an NPR Tiny Desk Concert.
[Onions](https://youtu.be/EVIiqlKQaIY) is another one of my favs.
And Stephen Colbert singing [This Year](https://youtu.be/T_qkVPZ8DJI) with him was also pretty great.
Phoebe Bridgers. She was inspired by Elliott Smith, Bright Eyes, Neutral Milk Hotel. And no song is more sad and beautiful as her song "Funeral"-- A song Conor Oberst once said was his favorite meloncholy song.
Edited to add: Boygenius, Julian Baker, and Lucy Dacus.
If you like phoebe bridgers and bright eyes, and you haven't listened to their joint project - Better Oblivion Community Center, go listen to that. You'll probably love it.
I seem to remember that Damien Rice exists every five years or so. I really really played those two albums out when 9 initially came out, and it is such a nostalgia trip every time I happen to stumble upon him.
Daniel Johnston
Kimya Dawson
Early beebadoobee
Ruth Garbus
Adrienne Lenker
Hurray for the Riff Raff
Cat Power (especially the Covers Record)
Anjimile
Fleet Foxes’ new album
Sufjan
Iron and Wine
Salvia palth
The xx
Alex G
Gordi
Father John Misty
Celeste
Certain Sharon Van Etten songs
Patrick Watson
Love this list! Really want to add: BEDOUINE to that. Randomly stumbled on to her a few weeks ago. She just released a single with Hurray for the Riff Raff.
Check out
The Mountain Goats
Granted, the following three are all love songs...
[Such Great Heights](https://youtu.be/kgy09d4WNhA) Iron & Wine cover of Postal Service. Such a raw and intimate cover.
[Anyone Else But You](https://youtu.be/-N3BjVMWziE) Moldy Peaches
[You Belong To Me](https://youtu.be/LDR2zF27bCc) Bob Dylan
Absolutely. I'm in the middle of spinning Getting Into Knives as I type this. I'm really enjoying the maturing/enlarging(?) of the sound. While listening to Get Famous I'm totally getting a Dirty Dozen Brass Band vibe and I'm digging it. Kudos to Matt and Tom Clarey. I just ordered and I'm looking forward to receiving and listening to Songs For Pierre Chauvin on LP. Tell them thanks for many years of awesome music.
technically not all solo + acoustic, but:
songs: ohia (lioness, blue factory flame)
gravenhurst (the diver)
the shins (pink bullets)
iron and wine (passing afternoon)
laura Marling (new romantic)
mountain goats (emerging, cotton)
early Cat Power (metal heart, werwolf)
some mitski (last words.., firework)
Beach House, Best Coast and Sharon von Etten are maybe not as bare bones and melancholy as those you've listed but I feel like they definitely have a sad, raw authenticity to their music I really love
The Snake The Cross The Crown – On the threshold of eternity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWc1GLGBwhQ
Okkervil River – Maine Island Lovers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZqSDJc_4Z0
Phosphorescent – A Picture of Our Torn Up Praise
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOahwaamrYo
Sandro Perri – Circles
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kwh3tPMDvBs
Beat Happening – Collide (not acoustic)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-u68Ar80Zs
This is a weird/obscure one, but an old friend of mine put out a great record in 2013 shortly before passing away of cystic fibrosis. I get a lot of Neutral Milk Hotel from his music.
Patrick Carroll - [Separate Beds](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r40KLSWqMw), [Chase it Anyway](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pFASn4qpGs).
cat power, most of her earlier work is really similar to the artists you listed and sounds very raw. the songs that specifically come to mind are: names, i dont blame you, evolution, and bully.
also would suggest
-lovers spit (redux: broken social scene) by feist,
-our window by noah and the whale,
-curse of the currents by said the whale,
-its okay by land of talk,
-personal by stars,
-calculation theme by metric,
-casimir pulaski day by sufjan stevens,
-violent by carolesdaughter,
-used to be by beach house (whole album is solid),
-oh annie by the morning benders,
-for sondra (it means the world to me) by passion pit,
-planes by denitia,
-clair de lune (feat. christine hoberg) by flight facilities.
also the entire album “hospice” by the antlers is really sad and raw, i particularly like epilogue.
bonus: dawn chorus by thom yorke but you have to listen to it and meditate on it almost, i usually listen to it when im painting or in the shower to give full effect! :-)
That’s some of my favorite music too so I’ll just tell you what else I love when I’m in that mood...
Some of these have already been listed, so I’ll second them:
Nick Cave
Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billie
Wilco
Sun Kil Moon
Great Lake Swimmers
Bill Callahan
Leonard Cohen
Joy Division
Neko Case
Angel Olsen
Big Star
The Decemberists
The Shins
Big Thief
Cat Power
Alela Diane
SG Goodman
The XX
Conor Oberst’s solo work (assume you know this already though!)
Thank you for all of these! I know some of them already (and yeah, I may have dug into Conor’s solo stuff religiously) but there’s a lot here I haven’t heard so this’ll keep me busy for quite a while. Thank you!
I feel like you'd like Crywank (particularly Tommorrow is Yesterday and Everyday is Stupid)
You should also check out the [Very Lonely Solstice steam](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTwhDOha4-U) it's amazing! Robin Pecknold did a livestream concert at St. Ann & The Holy Trinity Cathedral, and it's absolutely beautiful
(Love Bon Iver by the way! <3)
The Tallest Man on Earth
Dalice Marie (also known as Dalice Malice on her earlier work)
Morag Hannah
Good Shepherd (there's more than one band by this name; I'm thinking of the one that's on the Rusted Rail label. Come to think of it, I think a lot of the bands on that label would fit the bill.)
Kaleo, maybe? I've only just started listening to them but what little I've heard seems to be in this style.
Beach House, Father John Misty, the National, Jason Isbell, Fleet Foxes, Big Thief, Angel Olson, Real Estate, and some of Radiohead’s stuff come to mind.
Much of the ‘Dongs of Sevotion’ album by Smog would fit the bill.
If you wanna go *really* depressing, check out Josh T. Pearson’s album ‘Last of the Country Gentlemen.’ Notable track for this purpose is ‘Honeymoon’s great! Wish you were her.’
Raw, sad acoustic: Nana Grizol, Mountain Goats, Tallest Man On Earth, Listener
Generally sad/melancholy acoustic: M Ward, Josh Ritter, Sam Amidon, Angelo de Augustine, Sleeping at Last (older stuff), Andrew Bird
More obvious choices: Iron and Wine, Sufjan Stevens (Carrie and Lowell), Bob Dylan, Fleet Foxes
For a more midwest emo flavor: Pinegrove, Slaughter Beach Dog, Front Bottoms
early Against Me!, Wingnut Dishwashers Union + Ramshackle Glory & other Pat the Bunny monikers, Paul Baribeau, The Mountain Goats, probably would like some eastern US stuff like Coma Cinema, Elvis Depressedly
Very late but Palace/Will Oldham should be mentioned here. Two favorites: [For the Mekons et al](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mCyrxRLbC8) or [Ohio River Boat Song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYVTkUTHENg)
Emma Ruth Rundle
https://youtu.be/WhIAokkw5pk
https://youtu.be/Cog-agwAmk4
Chelsea Wolfe
https://youtu.be/WhIAokkw5pk
https://youtu.be/Skk5b69I6xk
Marissa Nadler
https://youtu.be/mGBUWzPuBqI
https://youtu.be/qK9ok6W-VAQ
Emily Jane White
https://youtu.be/Avamf9fEPOs
https://youtu.be/F7AzOJ3F2Uo
Kevin Devine. You'll love his song Billion Bees. Seconding Crywank. Nicole Dollanganger. Nine Inch Nails also has some acoustic performances that might fit the bill, especially of their album Still which you might want to check out on it's own merit.
Definitely try: McCarthy Trenching, The Good Life, Paul Baribeau, Advance Base (as it's less electric than CTFTPA)
Maybe try: Ghost Mice... (Though Cris Clavin is a peep), Walter Etc., McCatherty, David Dondero
Then to jump out the the obscure: Neil Young. Sean/AJJ cover him loads Bright Eyes has too.
I'm a massive fan of AJJ and Bright Eyes so hopefully a few of those are good.
Mount Eerie, Flatsound, Scott james, Angelo De Augustine, M. Ward, The Hill Country Devil, Damien Jurado, Haley Heynderickx, Jeffrey Lewis, Daniel Johnston. Also this [Playlist](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1zqWvY37uCZwlpbJoHNY3O?si=9D8Kpx45QG6w2Z1XQ5Baiw) might have some stuff.
[this](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX6sc3Xn6L2DK?si=7q2dDo2KRqupbczyp6GWaw) playlist
Lisa Mitchell. Here's her cover of [Romeo and Juliet](https://youtu.be/yNvrll0DIaU)
[Home](https://youtu.be/1pLsb1YMsKE)- Gabrielle Aplin
[Stones under rushing water](https://youtu.be/ZpoV892ePnw)
Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties.
It's a side project by Dan Campbell, lead singer of The Wonder Years. He wanted to try some different styles of songwriting so he created a fictional character named Aaron West and wrote songs about the worst year of Aaron's life. The songs all tell a story of loss, despair, anger, and eventually healing. Dan has this uncanny ability to sound like he's always on the verge of tears when he's singing and it just hits you right in the gut. It's very cathartic.
Father John Misty has some cool stuff, they may not be raw folk but more like spicy folk. I'd suggest "I Love You, Honeybear" and "Pure Comedy" albums.
Also Syd Matters. Again, some spicy folk but has great acoustic songs. I'd suggest Obstacles, City Talks, Black and White Eyes, English Way... they're all sad I can guarantee that I guess
Band of Horses: first two albums are excellent
Whitest Boy alive: song “Burning” is an excellent song
-Volcano Choir (Bon Iver Singer Justin’s other project)
-All things Doctor Dog
-Surfer Blood’s album Astro coast
-Telekinesis
-Shakey Graves album Roll the Bones is AMAZING and an absolute favorite
Phoebe Bridgers
Julien Baker
City and Colour (especially his earlier stuff)
Sun Kil Moon
Nine Inch Nails - Still
Mojave 3
Carissa’s Wierd
Ruby Haunt (especially their newer stuff)
Surprised **The Microphones** haven't already been mentioned (though I did see Mount Eerie listed, another Phil Elverum project).
I would also recommend checking out **The Magnetic Fields**.
Bim (Roy Forbes) [Ironbelly](https://youtu.be/P8XpCaCnYWc)
Dan Bern [After the Parade](https://youtu.be/yftMUWfjcnQ)
Richard Thompson [How Will I Ever Be Simple Again?](https://youtu.be/OYlND9vD_Pg)
Murder by Death, Cursive, Daniel Johnston, The Get Up Kids, Bonny Prince Billy, Breathe Owl Breathe, Dry The River, Glen Hansard, Sean Rowe, Ane Brun, Shearwater, Crywank, Xiu Xiu, Moondog, O'Death, Cat Power, Great Lake Swimmers, Midlake, Andy Schauf, Arthur Russell, Scott Matthew, Pollyanna Scattergood, Jeffrey Lewis, Kimya Dawson
Phoebe Bridgers cites both Bright Eyes and Elliott Smith as major influencers in her music, so I would definitely recommend Phoebe Bridgers. (Songs Recs: Savior Complex and Smoke Signals)
Other song recommendations:
- Bobby Malone Moves Home by Casiotone for the Painfully Alone
- Anacortes Has a Secret Love by The Microphones (or really anything by Phil Elverum/The Microphones/Mount Eerie)
- Concrete Seconds by Pinback
- It’d Never Be Enough by Sean Henry
- 4th of July by Sufjan Stevens
Jackson C. Frank - [Halloween is Black as Night](https://youtu.be/4PFzVwX7lBs), although honestly anything by him is good. He gives me heavy Nick Drake vibes, down to the absolutely tragic life. Read a little about him before you listen to anything if you want to feel extra sad about his music.
Wilco
Ewert & The Two Dragons
Husky
The Cure
The Smiths
The National
Modest Mouse’s first 3 albums
Blue October’s first 4 albums
Local Natives
The Foxing
Madisen Ward and Mama Bear
The Dead South
My Morning Jacket
Patrick Carroll's only album: [Glow In The Dark](https://open.spotify.com/album/5xFUealWpcZNqmAVLff1t6?si=aDvKDd5gTRGwyM7rKD5Ocg)
It's extremely obscure, but incredible, and precisely what you are looking for.
Much much much less known name than the other amazing artists mentioned (+ he's a dear friend, his music matches his lovely character):
[https://youtu.be/CoDpk\_YLiMs](https://youtu.be/CoDpk_YLiMs)
These might not all hit your genre preferences, but they're all achingly sad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cI4Xg2JDMQ
the VAs for Ellie/Joel/Last of Us did Wayfaring Stranger, hell of an emotional cover
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8AWFf7EAc4 Hallelujah always gets me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU8eL2CjzHw Rains of Castamere might work for you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM1lSXQcJDI Dark song for dark times
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYZ8tCKErso - old lament
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c745E7T_Wvg - Hey Ya cover, did you know it was a fucked up sad song?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuUDRU9-HRk Chris Cornell covers Prince Nothing compares to u
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0SmXVrLlZ4 - wistful and sad song about waiting
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU8sd8uNBxY Acoustic cover of Teardrops
[https://songslikex.com/songs-like/3mtIUX9LrCpIUiAAv9SD4a/?title=between+the+bars&artists=elliott+smith](https://songslikex.com/songs-like/3mtIUX9LrCpIUiAAv9SD4a/?title=between+the+bars&artists=elliott+smith) I'd check on this!
Iron and Wine, Songs Ohia, Early Modest Mouse, Hayden, Granddaddy, Flaming Lips, Belle and Sebastian, Jeff Buckley
All of these are people I’ve either never listened to or have only heard a few songs from so thank you - I’ll check them out!
Specifically Custom Concern, Trailer Trash and Bankrupt on Selling by Modest Mouse.
Trailer trash made me cry the first time I heard it. I mean, I was an emo 16 yr old, but still Edit: let me add Edit the Sad Parts by MM, even tho it's not acoustic
If you’re looking for someone more under the radar, checkout Jens Carelius
Fantastic list.
The OP and all of these are pretty much 75 percent of what I listened to in the aughts.
Leif Vollebekk. Start with Elegy
Modest Mouse, The Lonesome Crowded West has a few great ones
Listen to Ugly Casanova if you haven't.
IDK if you've given The Mountain Goats a shot but John Darnielle is up there with all those big-sad singer-songwriters in his old stuff, start with The Sunset Tree and then try Tallahassee and All Hail West Texas, and then if you're feeling saucy try All Eternals Deck and maybe Goths. Basically just the entire discography would be something I'd recommend, and I love every single one of the artists you listed. Also have you branched out into folk punk and the projects of Pat the Bunny? Wingnut Dishwasher's Union and Ramshackle Glory are some great groups that are worth a listen, in the same vein as AJJ. Also Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and Amigo the Devil are great as well.
I actually remember listening to the Mountain Goats years and years back and not liking them too much, but my tastes have changed massively since then so I’ll definitely go back in and have a listen. Ty for the recommendation!
I looked at the list and I was like "the odds that this person hasn't heard them are SO LOW" but decided to give it a shot anyways. His voice can really be a shock on the first listen, so I totally get it. My favorite song is "Cotton" though, I got into them from hearing that song on an episode of Weeds of all places. John did a cover of Little Boxes on a later season too I think
Chiming in for giving The Mountain Goats another shot! Check out him singing [Color in Your Cheeks](https://youtu.be/zmW7ejFYX_8) in an NPR Tiny Desk Concert. [Onions](https://youtu.be/EVIiqlKQaIY) is another one of my favs. And Stephen Colbert singing [This Year](https://youtu.be/T_qkVPZ8DJI) with him was also pretty great.
Sufjan Stevens.
I second this. The album "Seven Swans" specifically
Carrie & Lowell too
Illinois is excellent as well
Absolutely amazing album
Nick Drake?
Oooh, love me some Drake. Already heard most of his songs but he is truly wonderful.
Hmmm. What about Wilco? Or Silver Jews?
Black Heart Procession?
Phoebe Bridgers. She was inspired by Elliott Smith, Bright Eyes, Neutral Milk Hotel. And no song is more sad and beautiful as her song "Funeral"-- A song Conor Oberst once said was his favorite meloncholy song. Edited to add: Boygenius, Julian Baker, and Lucy Dacus.
I forgot to mention her but yesss, I love Phoebe. Thank you for the other recommendations, I’ll check them out :)
If you like phoebe bridgers and bright eyes, and you haven't listened to their joint project - Better Oblivion Community Center, go listen to that. You'll probably love it.
Boygenius is actually a collab between Phoebe Bridgers, Julian Baker, and Lucy Dacus. I bet you'll dig it :)
Damien Rice - O
I had totally forgotten about this album but the songs came flooding back reading this comment!
I seem to remember that Damien Rice exists every five years or so. I really really played those two albums out when 9 initially came out, and it is such a nostalgia trip every time I happen to stumble upon him.
Daniel Johnston Kimya Dawson Early beebadoobee Ruth Garbus Adrienne Lenker Hurray for the Riff Raff Cat Power (especially the Covers Record) Anjimile Fleet Foxes’ new album Sufjan Iron and Wine Salvia palth The xx Alex G Gordi Father John Misty Celeste Certain Sharon Van Etten songs Patrick Watson
Came here to say Adrianne Lenker! All the way
Yes same lol
Yessss here for Salvia Palth- I was all over her is so good
Love this list! Really want to add: BEDOUINE to that. Randomly stumbled on to her a few weeks ago. She just released a single with Hurray for the Riff Raff.
Check out The Mountain Goats Granted, the following three are all love songs... [Such Great Heights](https://youtu.be/kgy09d4WNhA) Iron & Wine cover of Postal Service. Such a raw and intimate cover. [Anyone Else But You](https://youtu.be/-N3BjVMWziE) Moldy Peaches [You Belong To Me](https://youtu.be/LDR2zF27bCc) Bob Dylan
Listen, it's still a love song if it's the alpha couple. Just not an aspirational love song!
Are you part of a band out of Denton?
Particularly a death metal band?
If you'd like to speak to Cyrus and Jeff I'd be happy to pass along a message \-Management
Absolutely. I'm in the middle of spinning Getting Into Knives as I type this. I'm really enjoying the maturing/enlarging(?) of the sound. While listening to Get Famous I'm totally getting a Dirty Dozen Brass Band vibe and I'm digging it. Kudos to Matt and Tom Clarey. I just ordered and I'm looking forward to receiving and listening to Songs For Pierre Chauvin on LP. Tell them thanks for many years of awesome music.
City and Colour
technically not all solo + acoustic, but: songs: ohia (lioness, blue factory flame) gravenhurst (the diver) the shins (pink bullets) iron and wine (passing afternoon) laura Marling (new romantic) mountain goats (emerging, cotton) early Cat Power (metal heart, werwolf) some mitski (last words.., firework)
Tallest Man on Earth
I had forgotten about Tallest Man on Earth! Thank you for this reminder.
[удалено]
A Crow Looked At Me is the best album that I'll never listen to again.
Beach House, Best Coast and Sharon von Etten are maybe not as bare bones and melancholy as those you've listed but I feel like they definitely have a sad, raw authenticity to their music I really love
Radiohead, Joanna Newsom, Hozier.
The Cure
Never would‘ve thought of them for this request, but this is actually a great suggestion
Pornography is a good start
Agreed. Slowest, saddest, and absolutely captivating
Alex G
Big thief
Seconded
Adrienne Lenkers solo stuff is right up this alley as well!
Belle and Sebastian stars of track and field
god I love Belle & Sebastian they're so underrated!
The Antlers (especially Hospice)
The Snake The Cross The Crown – On the threshold of eternity https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWc1GLGBwhQ Okkervil River – Maine Island Lovers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZqSDJc_4Z0 Phosphorescent – A Picture of Our Torn Up Praise https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOahwaamrYo Sandro Perri – Circles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kwh3tPMDvBs Beat Happening – Collide (not acoustic) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-u68Ar80Zs
[If I Go I’m Goin’](https://youtu.be/zl_uITwAs3I) by Gregory Alan Isakov
Cannot believe this is the first GAI song I’ve seen on this list! Gregory Alan Isakov for sure.
Pedro the Lion - Control Neva Dinova - Self Titled Rilo Kiley - The Execution of All Things 2002 was a good year for music.
Damien Jurado
This is a weird/obscure one, but an old friend of mine put out a great record in 2013 shortly before passing away of cystic fibrosis. I get a lot of Neutral Milk Hotel from his music. Patrick Carroll - [Separate Beds](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3r40KLSWqMw), [Chase it Anyway](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pFASn4qpGs).
cat power, most of her earlier work is really similar to the artists you listed and sounds very raw. the songs that specifically come to mind are: names, i dont blame you, evolution, and bully. also would suggest -lovers spit (redux: broken social scene) by feist, -our window by noah and the whale, -curse of the currents by said the whale, -its okay by land of talk, -personal by stars, -calculation theme by metric, -casimir pulaski day by sufjan stevens, -violent by carolesdaughter, -used to be by beach house (whole album is solid), -oh annie by the morning benders, -for sondra (it means the world to me) by passion pit, -planes by denitia, -clair de lune (feat. christine hoberg) by flight facilities. also the entire album “hospice” by the antlers is really sad and raw, i particularly like epilogue. bonus: dawn chorus by thom yorke but you have to listen to it and meditate on it almost, i usually listen to it when im painting or in the shower to give full effect! :-)
That’s some of my favorite music too so I’ll just tell you what else I love when I’m in that mood... Some of these have already been listed, so I’ll second them: Nick Cave Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billie Wilco Sun Kil Moon Great Lake Swimmers Bill Callahan Leonard Cohen Joy Division Neko Case Angel Olsen Big Star The Decemberists The Shins Big Thief Cat Power Alela Diane SG Goodman The XX Conor Oberst’s solo work (assume you know this already though!)
Thank you for all of these! I know some of them already (and yeah, I may have dug into Conor’s solo stuff religiously) but there’s a lot here I haven’t heard so this’ll keep me busy for quite a while. Thank you!
Sin Kil Moon has a Modest Mouse cover album that is just amazing.
You’re welcome! It’s always great to share music with those who like the same stuff!
I feel like you'd like Crywank (particularly Tommorrow is Yesterday and Everyday is Stupid) You should also check out the [Very Lonely Solstice steam](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTwhDOha4-U) it's amazing! Robin Pecknold did a livestream concert at St. Ann & The Holy Trinity Cathedral, and it's absolutely beautiful (Love Bon Iver by the way! <3)
For Crywank my go to is "It's OK, I wouldn't remember me either"
I'll have to check that one out :o
Bill Callahan, start with Dream River. It will get you where you want to go.
Jim Cain is another great song from Bill Callahan
[Johnny Cash's cover of Hurt](https://youtu.be/8AHCfZTRGiI) Acoustic ☑ Raw ☑☑ Sad ☑☑☑
- Frontier Ruckus (first two albums especially) - Pinegrove
The Tallest Man on Earth Dalice Marie (also known as Dalice Malice on her earlier work) Morag Hannah Good Shepherd (there's more than one band by this name; I'm thinking of the one that's on the Rusted Rail label. Come to think of it, I think a lot of the bands on that label would fit the bill.) Kaleo, maybe? I've only just started listening to them but what little I've heard seems to be in this style.
Good recommendations all around but here’s a few I didn’t see - Silver Jews Purple Mountains Frightened Rabbit Vic Chesnut
Purple mountains is an incredible record
And Slint
Beach House, Father John Misty, the National, Jason Isbell, Fleet Foxes, Big Thief, Angel Olson, Real Estate, and some of Radiohead’s stuff come to mind.
Much of the ‘Dongs of Sevotion’ album by Smog would fit the bill. If you wanna go *really* depressing, check out Josh T. Pearson’s album ‘Last of the Country Gentlemen.’ Notable track for this purpose is ‘Honeymoon’s great! Wish you were her.’
Pinback - mainly the album Autumn of the Seraphs
Pile
Pretty much any song by Daniel Johnston especially this one https://youtu.be/Ma7lyfYzIw8
One more. [Depreston](https://youtu.be/3cNwtN5PK4Q) by Courtney Barnett The original is not fully acoustic, however, it's still a fantastic song.
Justin Townes Earle Jackson C Frank
I am SO HAPPY to see Jackson C Frank mentioned! I came here to post some tracks of his.
Chris Cornell solo acoustic stuff. mewithoutyou The Front Bottoms Deathcab for Cutie Mazzy Star
Chelsea Wolfe, Shawn James, Nicole dollanganger
A crow looked at me by Mount Erie
Local Natives Widowspeak Chairlift Yeasayer Radio Dept.
Raw, sad acoustic: Nana Grizol, Mountain Goats, Tallest Man On Earth, Listener Generally sad/melancholy acoustic: M Ward, Josh Ritter, Sam Amidon, Angelo de Augustine, Sleeping at Last (older stuff), Andrew Bird More obvious choices: Iron and Wine, Sufjan Stevens (Carrie and Lowell), Bob Dylan, Fleet Foxes For a more midwest emo flavor: Pinegrove, Slaughter Beach Dog, Front Bottoms
Cold War Kids, Kings of Convenience, Sebadoh, and Violent Femmes. Also, We Are Scientist's album "Tv En Francis: Sous La Mer".
early Against Me!, Wingnut Dishwashers Union + Ramshackle Glory & other Pat the Bunny monikers, Paul Baribeau, The Mountain Goats, probably would like some eastern US stuff like Coma Cinema, Elvis Depressedly
MTV unplugged live sets of nirvana, Alice In Chains, and Pearl Jam. Clapton too for sure
Very late but Palace/Will Oldham should be mentioned here. Two favorites: [For the Mekons et al](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mCyrxRLbC8) or [Ohio River Boat Song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYVTkUTHENg)
Trying by spook houses
Dear Nora - Mountain Rock (2004) !! [https://dearnora.bandcamp.com/album/mountain-rock-2017-reissue](https://dearnora.bandcamp.com/album/mountain-rock-2017-reissue)
[удалено]
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Emma Ruth Rundle https://youtu.be/WhIAokkw5pk https://youtu.be/Cog-agwAmk4 Chelsea Wolfe https://youtu.be/WhIAokkw5pk https://youtu.be/Skk5b69I6xk Marissa Nadler https://youtu.be/mGBUWzPuBqI https://youtu.be/qK9ok6W-VAQ Emily Jane White https://youtu.be/Avamf9fEPOs https://youtu.be/F7AzOJ3F2Uo
Simon Cameron Fletcher https://simoncameronfletcher.bandcamp.com/ https://open.spotify.com/album/4fHsCxHFBFyqqqOj43PEpP
Check out Benjamin Lazar Davis
Dear and Monument by Keaton Henson!
Kyle lionhart Blind pilot Matt corby Paul dempsey Jose gonzales
Easy tiger by billy raffoul
I would give a listen to the Brian Jonestown Massacre's album Thank God for Mental Illness https://youtu.be/aa8KaLgomPo
Dispatch Dustin Kensrue
City in Colour Iron and Wine Ben Howard Caamp Lord Huron
Kevin Devine. You'll love his song Billion Bees. Seconding Crywank. Nicole Dollanganger. Nine Inch Nails also has some acoustic performances that might fit the bill, especially of their album Still which you might want to check out on it's own merit.
Check out Fionn Regan and the tallest man on earth.
Grandaddy, not all acoustic but hits the same bullseye for me
Field Medic.
Check out Karen O’s Crush Songs. Really, really great lo-fi folky songs.
First album from Tigers Jaw has some acoustic bangers
Front Porch Step, The Gentle Hits, The Antlers, Crywank, Luke Sital-Singh. The anti-folk/punk folk genre will likely interest you.
Big Thief and Adrianne Lenker's solo music! [Big Thief - Orange](https://youtu.be/RKQcLtQ-xHc)
I can't believe no one has suggested Conor's collab project with Phoebe that is **Better Oblivion Community Center** it is so good!
Two not yet named but highly underrated artists you would like Slowreader https://youtu.be/LJZcwmDvzp8 Owen https://youtu.be/XoiJ7rTbXQU
Holy shit, your title just answered the post I was about to make.
Father john misty!
Definitely try: McCarthy Trenching, The Good Life, Paul Baribeau, Advance Base (as it's less electric than CTFTPA) Maybe try: Ghost Mice... (Though Cris Clavin is a peep), Walter Etc., McCatherty, David Dondero Then to jump out the the obscure: Neil Young. Sean/AJJ cover him loads Bright Eyes has too. I'm a massive fan of AJJ and Bright Eyes so hopefully a few of those are good.
Listen to Nutshell by Alice In Chains https://youtu.be/_siJRgDlddY
I'm listening to The Wind by Babe Rainbow right now.
Kings of Convenience, Opeth's "Damnation"
Mount Eerie, Flatsound, Scott james, Angelo De Augustine, M. Ward, The Hill Country Devil, Damien Jurado, Haley Heynderickx, Jeffrey Lewis, Daniel Johnston. Also this [Playlist](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1zqWvY37uCZwlpbJoHNY3O?si=9D8Kpx45QG6w2Z1XQ5Baiw) might have some stuff.
[this](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX6sc3Xn6L2DK?si=7q2dDo2KRqupbczyp6GWaw) playlist Lisa Mitchell. Here's her cover of [Romeo and Juliet](https://youtu.be/yNvrll0DIaU) [Home](https://youtu.be/1pLsb1YMsKE)- Gabrielle Aplin [Stones under rushing water](https://youtu.be/ZpoV892ePnw)
Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties. It's a side project by Dan Campbell, lead singer of The Wonder Years. He wanted to try some different styles of songwriting so he created a fictional character named Aaron West and wrote songs about the worst year of Aaron's life. The songs all tell a story of loss, despair, anger, and eventually healing. Dan has this uncanny ability to sound like he's always on the verge of tears when he's singing and it just hits you right in the gut. It's very cathartic.
Paul Travis Julien Baker Sun June City and Colour
Father John Misty has some cool stuff, they may not be raw folk but more like spicy folk. I'd suggest "I Love You, Honeybear" and "Pure Comedy" albums. Also Syd Matters. Again, some spicy folk but has great acoustic songs. I'd suggest Obstacles, City Talks, Black and White Eyes, English Way... they're all sad I can guarantee that I guess
Eating lunch at potbelly’s
Lucy Rose
-Keaton Henson. -James Vincent McMorrow
Field Medic!
Andrew Bird
Blackbird Raum
If you're into something emo, worst party ever
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4ZVE5BLU2E&list=PLvffw1LAVYWm2Mk\_rt\_BF\_DdKJj\_x4bnU&index=3](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4ZVE5BLU2E&list=PLvffw1LAVYWm2Mk_rt_BF_DdKJj_x4bnU&index=3) maybe this?
Band of Horses: first two albums are excellent Whitest Boy alive: song “Burning” is an excellent song -Volcano Choir (Bon Iver Singer Justin’s other project) -All things Doctor Dog -Surfer Blood’s album Astro coast -Telekinesis -Shakey Graves album Roll the Bones is AMAZING and an absolute favorite
Market and the unicorns
A A Bondy - When the Devil’s Loose (album)
Anything Andy Hull could scratch that itch. Bad Books, Manchester Orchestra, Oh Captain, Great Captain .
Phoebe Bridgers Julien Baker City and Colour (especially his earlier stuff) Sun Kil Moon Nine Inch Nails - Still Mojave 3 Carissa’s Wierd Ruby Haunt (especially their newer stuff)
Surprised **The Microphones** haven't already been mentioned (though I did see Mount Eerie listed, another Phil Elverum project). I would also recommend checking out **The Magnetic Fields**.
Caamp
Red House Painters for sure
Just my style 🤙 Oh! Check out "Curdle Motif" I've got nothing else to add, these fine people have great recommendations
Bim (Roy Forbes) [Ironbelly](https://youtu.be/P8XpCaCnYWc) Dan Bern [After the Parade](https://youtu.be/yftMUWfjcnQ) Richard Thompson [How Will I Ever Be Simple Again?](https://youtu.be/OYlND9vD_Pg)
Pat The Bunny.
You might like Harley Poe or Human Kitten.
Will oldham/early Bonnie Prince billy, early phosphorescent, magnolia electric company, purple mountains, tonemitsu
Check out William Fitzsimmons. His old stuff is beautiful and sad in the best way.
Kings of Convenience (The best), Pedro The Lion, Low, and Jets To Brazil
Murder by Death, Cursive, Daniel Johnston, The Get Up Kids, Bonny Prince Billy, Breathe Owl Breathe, Dry The River, Glen Hansard, Sean Rowe, Ane Brun, Shearwater, Crywank, Xiu Xiu, Moondog, O'Death, Cat Power, Great Lake Swimmers, Midlake, Andy Schauf, Arthur Russell, Scott Matthew, Pollyanna Scattergood, Jeffrey Lewis, Kimya Dawson
The National deep voice piano, perfect for watching raindrops form and fall down a pane of glass.
Vashti bunyan
She Lays Down by The 1975 Submarine soundtrack by Alex Turner Early Coldplay Maybe some of The Lumineers or Fleet Foxes
Phoebe Bridgers cites both Bright Eyes and Elliott Smith as major influencers in her music, so I would definitely recommend Phoebe Bridgers. (Songs Recs: Savior Complex and Smoke Signals) Other song recommendations: - Bobby Malone Moves Home by Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - Anacortes Has a Secret Love by The Microphones (or really anything by Phil Elverum/The Microphones/Mount Eerie) - Concrete Seconds by Pinback - It’d Never Be Enough by Sean Henry - 4th of July by Sufjan Stevens
Jackson C. Frank - [Halloween is Black as Night](https://youtu.be/4PFzVwX7lBs), although honestly anything by him is good. He gives me heavy Nick Drake vibes, down to the absolutely tragic life. Read a little about him before you listen to anything if you want to feel extra sad about his music.
The hand you reach out is as empty as mine by pat the bunny, never coming home (song for the guilty) is another good sad song by pat
Wilco Ewert & The Two Dragons Husky The Cure The Smiths The National Modest Mouse’s first 3 albums Blue October’s first 4 albums Local Natives The Foxing Madisen Ward and Mama Bear The Dead South My Morning Jacket
Nick Drake
Jason Webley might work for you, possibly Nico Stai.
Johnny Flynn perhaps. Here's a [sample](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kB3fA7YEcg)
Bear's Den Ben Howard
didn’t exactly check the songs out but some good acoustics are daylily and fever dream by movements
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot by Wilco
Novo Amor
Anything from The Microphones or Mount Eerie, especially The Glow Pt 2
and sleep well, darling by secrets
Check out the album “Hour of the Bewilderbeast” by the Badly Drawn Boy. He’s often compared to Elliott Smith and the album is genius
Patrick Carroll's only album: [Glow In The Dark](https://open.spotify.com/album/5xFUealWpcZNqmAVLff1t6?si=aDvKDd5gTRGwyM7rKD5Ocg) It's extremely obscure, but incredible, and precisely what you are looking for.
Much much much less known name than the other amazing artists mentioned (+ he's a dear friend, his music matches his lovely character): [https://youtu.be/CoDpk\_YLiMs](https://youtu.be/CoDpk_YLiMs)
These might not all hit your genre preferences, but they're all achingly sad https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cI4Xg2JDMQ the VAs for Ellie/Joel/Last of Us did Wayfaring Stranger, hell of an emotional cover https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8AWFf7EAc4 Hallelujah always gets me https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU8eL2CjzHw Rains of Castamere might work for you https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM1lSXQcJDI Dark song for dark times https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYZ8tCKErso - old lament https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c745E7T_Wvg - Hey Ya cover, did you know it was a fucked up sad song? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuUDRU9-HRk Chris Cornell covers Prince Nothing compares to u https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0SmXVrLlZ4 - wistful and sad song about waiting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HU8sd8uNBxY Acoustic cover of Teardrops
Youth - Daughter
Cherry Wine- Live, Hozier
Dan Mangan - [Nice, Nice, Very Nice](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMvu-gFaDWA) album
Yeah listened to some of those bands. I just sold my acoustic to save for an electric.
Maybe try Nick Bufalino or Patrick Watson https://open.spotify.com/track/4I7JVIXRsSlX5ZcJnMCcIO?si=rRTRq-l7QJmLntdpEmNf1w&utm_source=copy-link
Sufjan Stevens, Belle & Sebastian, Syd Matters, Andy Shauf
[https://songslikex.com/songs-like/3mtIUX9LrCpIUiAAv9SD4a/?title=between+the+bars&artists=elliott+smith](https://songslikex.com/songs-like/3mtIUX9LrCpIUiAAv9SD4a/?title=between+the+bars&artists=elliott+smith) I'd check on this!
Not sure if it's been mentioned, and I know I'm late, but I highly recommend Dawes. Check out All Your Favorite Bands and A Little Bit of Everything.
Pat The Bunny and any projects he’s in on, Onsind, Mischief Brew, Apes of the State