Filk Music

Definitions of Filk Music:
Based on the compilation of Debbie Ridpath Ohi’s “What Is Filk” as well as the “What Is Filk” by Interfilk, each single page demonstrates that there isn’t a consensus definition of the term, even though one could actually divided the different definitions that were proposed by their primary focus on the style and content of filk music as well as other cultural aspects of the activity filking.

One of the main definitions of the term is based on filk as being a genre stating that filk is considered to be folk music normally with a fantasy or science fiction theme. However, this definition isn’t exact. The filkers were known to actually write the filk songs that relate to a wide variety of topics which includes but isn’t limited to the topics that are tangentially related like cats and computers.

Another common definition of filk is anthropological. Filk is actually what is being performed or sung by a network of people that originally gathered together to sing along at science conventions that related to fantasy and fiction. However, there is another definition that visualizes filking as being a community that consists of those that are interested in the filk music genre and that form part of a social network that was self identified by filking.

As it will be described later within this article, the filk origins that relate to filk in relationship to science fiction conventions as well as its current organization which emphasizes the aspect of filking within the social network. No matter what definition that you choose, filk is actually a form of music that was created from within fantasy fandom and science fiction, which is often going to be performed late during the night at the science fiction conventions, within England, Canada, Germany, as well as the United States of America.

Subjects and Styles:
When keeping in contact with the culture folk roots where filk lays, the musical topics and styles of filk music are eclectic. Even though there is filk’s plurality music that is firmly rooted in the folk music of acoustic instruments, there are artists and pieces that draw their inspiration from acappella, rock vocal groups as well as other styles. The itinerant and hobbyist nature of the filk events really gives off some advantages to the small groups and soloists that are acoustic vocal.

In the filk songs, the range of topics stems from the cultural roots it has in fandom. There are many songs that honor the specific works of science fiction, speculative fiction, and fantasy. There are songs that honor the specific works of fantasy, science, computers, and technology, and values.