What is Anti-folk?

Anti-folk music is a reasonably new development in music history, and it is not very well known. In fact, there aren't very many people that can be contributed with the music genre itself. Anti-folk can be dated back as early as the mid 1980's. While it is considered a subgenre of punk rock, it also relates itself to American folk music. The punk rock movement began in the late 1970's. Punk rock music was a rebellion of the incoming wave of polished and shiny rock and roll. Punk rockers played louder, their music more raw. They wanted to stand up against, what they considered, the downfall of true rock and roll.

Anti-folk music is similar to that of punk rock in that it is rebelling against what is popular. It mocks the way mainstream takes music so seriously and feels the need to perfect it in comparison to the way anti-folk artists prefer to keep the music raw and unedited. They also mock themselves at any chance they get. Anti-folk music sounds so raw that it almost sounds like poorly crafted music - and that contributes to its lack of popularity.

New York was where it all started. New York City, to be exact. Some of the larger names in anti-folk music include Adam Green and Kimya Dawson of The Moldy Peaches, as well as Ben Kweller and Regina Spektor. The anti-folk movement is spreading, however. Cultures of it can be found in the UK - London and Brighton, mainly - and Melbourne, Australia.

London's anti-folk scene began before the others, but Brighton soon followed their lead. Anti-folk started becoming popular in London when musician Filthy Pedro and David Croneberg's wife began promoting anti-folk shows, introducing more and more people to the anti-folk community. The Brighton anti-folk movement was lead by Larry Pickleman and Mertle. Other artists involved in the UK's anti-folk community include JJ Crash, Spinmaster Plantpot, and Paul Hawkins.

Australia's anti-folk scene mostly stems up from Melbourne. Artists in this scene include The Lucksmiths, Darren Hanlon, Jodi Phillis, and The Mabels. The Lucksmiths have gotten the most international recognition, while the other artists are mostly just known in Melbourne. Many of the anti-folk artists in Australia are on the record label Candle Records - founded in Melbourne.

While anti-folk music generally isn't accepted by general music lovers, some anti-folk artists earn more popularity than most. Beck is one example, having earned a wide range of fame in 1993 with his single, "Loser." His recent music can't, exactly, be considered anti-folk, but he was at least inspired by fellow anti-folk musicians. Anti-folk will probably never become popular enough to be considered mainstream - but hey, that's kind of the point.