im looking for people who share the same musical interest as me, but i dont know under what genre bands like the shins or iron and wine fit. can someone please help me.

I've never listened to the shins, but Iron and Wine are usually described as folk.

why isnt there a folk forum. there should be a folk forum. simon and garfunel are folk right?

There is a folk section. It's called World/Folk. And the Shins and Iron and Wine have been discussed in the Alternative section too. Love 'em both.

Iron and Wine is definetely new folk. The Shins falls into the alternative rock, indie rock genre.

both are great,
iron & wine = folk
shins = alternative/indie?