NicK Drake's techniques were initially grounded in folk - admittedly mainly American folk guitar and jazz. But he was something of a polymath musically - playing half a dozen instruments. By the time he came to make his three great albums, his folk roots were very well hidden in his past. The predominant musical influences were jazz and English classical music of the early 20th century.

I did hear he played Les Cousins in Greek St - but no one would claim what he did was folk music. I believe Joe Boyd sent him on a tour of folk clubs to battle harden him as a performer, but apparently he didn't rise to the challenge

The third very stark album was solo acoustic vocal and guitar, and his lyrics are occasionally psychedelic Some very folky acts like Donovan and The Incredible String Band were into psychedelia. this might confuse people.

i suppose if he weren't committed to doing his own material, he could have done a respectable semi pro folk gig - he certainly had the repertoire and the technique - we know this from amateur recordings made of him. however folk music was not what he was about, and like a lot of muso's he didn't have that streak of pragmatism to give the audience what they wanted.