FILK: what is it?

Subject: FILK: what is it?
From: mousethief
Date: 20 Apr 01 - 02:45 PM

From The FILK FAQ

WHAT THE HECK IS FILK MUSIC?

What is this stuff called filk? My own favorite definition is simply "the folk music of the science fiction/fantasy fan community.", but if you ask four filkers you will get seven definitions. :-> Here's what Nick Smith had to say about it awhile back:

WHAT THE HECK IS FILK MUSIC?

by Nick Smith (of LA Filkharmonics)

Well, it's sort of like folk music. It is a mixture of song parodies and original music, humorous and serious, about subjects like science fiction, fantasy, computers, cats, politics, the space program, books, movies, TV shows, love, war, death. . .

Filk music started off forty or fifty years ago, at science fiction conventions, where people got together late at night to have good old-fashioned folk music song circles. Well, late night circles being what they are, some folks got a little silly and started singing song parodies about their favorite SF books and authors. Fans started writing song parodies about themselves or each other. Some started composing serious songs about favorite topics. Some authors started composing original songs for their books. If the author didn't list a tune, fans made up one. Sometimes two. Sometimes several.

Eventually, Filk songs were written for just about every major science fiction or fantasy work. Some of them were actually good enough that people wanted to learn them, or just listen to them more than just at conventions. At that point, song books and recordings started being made.

Over the last decade, Filk Music has reached the point where there are entire Filk Music gatherings, conventions, recording companies, and publications. Filk Music includes song parodies, original songs, and slightly musical poetry. It's a fun way to indulge in a little musical creativity, especially if you are a science fiction or fantasy fan as well as musically inclined. If you are only a fan, but not musical, you can still listen. Filk circles aren't pushy about requiring you to play or sing. If you are only musical, but not a fan, no one will hold it against you. Remember, we're in this thing for fun!

--------------------------

Alex

Subject: RE: FILK: what is it?
From: MMario
Date: 20 Apr 01 - 02:48 PM

it is understandable that they can't agree on a definition of Filk - since filk is derived from Folk and ...

Subject: RE: FILK: what is it?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 20 Apr 01 - 02:52 PM

?

Subject: RE: FILK: what is it?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 Apr 01 - 02:56 PM

I guess we don't need to ask what fulk music would be then.

Felk music would be about conservation?

Falk... recovery?

~S~

Subject: RE: FILK: what is it?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 20 Apr 01 - 04:56 PM

I'm probably too dense for this discussion but can someone explain where the "ilk" in Filk comes from, other than someone original typo?

Subject: RE: FILK: what is it?
From: mousethief
Date: 20 Apr 01 - 05:00 PM

It was a typo for Folk. Nothing more.

Alex

Subject: RE: FILK: what is it?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 20 Apr 01 - 05:44 PM

I suspect it's origins are deeper than that...

But filk music, is the tool of the devil... 98% of it is crap... occasionally there's one that witty, and has a broad appeal, but most are either just lowbrow stupid puns (the absolute lowest form of humour if you call that humour at all) or are so thick with 'in' references that, if yer not up to your eyes in the subject matter, you'll never get it...

So you're right! It IS folk music after all!!!

LOL!!!!

Subject: RE: FILK: what is it?
From: mousethief
Date: 20 Apr 01 - 05:46 PM

The origins of the music are one thing. The origins of the term are quite another.

So you're right! It IS folk music after all!!!

Another convert. This has been a good day!

Alex

Subject: RE: FILK: what is it?
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Apr 01 - 05:58 PM

There was a thread on (more or less) this topic a month or so ago - some interesting postings if I remember.

Subject: RE: FILK: what is it?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 20 Apr 01 - 06:03 PM

MT... re-read my post... I wasn't being flattering to either filk OR folk music!!

LOL!!!

Subject: RE: FILK: what is it?
From: mousethief
Date: 20 Apr 01 - 06:04 PM

I know, Clinton. I got it. Really. Honest.

Subject: RE: FILK: what is it?
From: gnu
Date: 20 Apr 01 - 06:22 PM

Falk ? Wouldn't that be songs about detectives or trench coats or whodunits ?

Subject: RE: FILK: what is it?
From: mousethief
Date: 20 Apr 01 - 06:26 PM

I wonder if maybe Falk isn't what you find if you go to the Falk Lands? It must be all around, just lying on the ground there. No wonder the British were loath to give them up.

Alex

Subject: RE: FILK: what is it?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 20 Apr 01 - 07:44 PM

Flok I imagine would be odes to sheep and such like.

Subject: RE: FILK: what is it?
From: T in Oklahoma (Okiemockbird)
Date: 20 Apr 01 - 08:54 PM

"Filk" is a synonym for the contrafactum practiced by those who cultivate certain genres of fantastic literature.

Subject: RE: FILK: what is it?
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 20 Apr 01 - 10:11 PM

ClintonHammond said:

But filk music, is the tool of the devil... 98% of it is crap...

But 98% of EVERYTHING is crap!!!! This is known as the Oesterreich 98% rule.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: FILK: what is it?
From: GUEST,#1
Date: 20 Apr 01 - 10:15 PM

Just Fylk spelled wrong. But there's sure out lot of it out there. Wear hipboots to plough through it, and don't forget the gasmask.

Subject: RE: FILK: what is it?
From: Amergin
Date: 20 Apr 01 - 10:43 PM

for a good example of some one singing a filk song watch the most informative doumenatry ever made.....Trekkies.....in it there is a drag queen singing a song about Khan....