Filk
Filk is the name for the fandom's folk music division. Filk is most often folk-music in style. Filk music lyrics are often written as ballads from or about fictional works, but parodies about fandom or works are also common. Filk artists almost always write the lyrics, which may be intended to be sung to existing tunes, or may include new music written for the song.
The term "filk" is widely believed to come from a typo in Lee Jacobs' 1950s essay, "The Influence of Science Fiction on Modern American Filk [sic] Music."[1]
Filk music is frequently performed at SF cons, but there are cons dedicated wholly to filk. Filk is also regularly distributed on the Internet in mp3 format, and recordings are sold at cons and online. Filk lyrics and music are sometimes found in relevant works; as, for example, in Mercedes' Lackey's Vanyel books.
Notes
- ↑ See, e.g., K. Wheeler, "Literary terms and definitions" (F) (last visited 2007/2/18); see also Wikipedia Filk music.
References
- Rand Bellavia, Interview with Bob Kanefsky ("Before discovering filk I used to listen mostly to Women's Music (music written and performed by women, about women, for women, but in the words of the Irish Spring commercial, I like it too). The turning point, when I decided I could survive on a steady diet of filk music, was when I heard Cindy's song "Black Lace and Midnight". Why listen to feminist music when I could listen to feminist vampire music?")
- Wikipedia / Filk music