Since the inception of this forum I have been thinking about this term “folktronic”.

Exactly what are its boundaries? How far outside of the norm does something have to be to be considered folktronic.

Danny Barnes’ Barnyard Electronics is certainly different enough….and a darn good album, to boot. I have to admit, it took a couple of listens before I really started enjoying it, which is common among my favorite music…almost as though its initial inaccessibility makes me like it more. I wonder if it’s because it’s new and fresh, or is it because I have what psychologists term a “sunk cost” investment, so therefore I must like it to avoid cognitive disonance?

Either way, I’m still wondering about this “folktronic” thingee. For instance, another banjo player comes to mind (and will probably make many readers here cringe, but I must bring this up to gain clarity) that could perhaps be considered folktronic- Bela Fleck. He certainly pushes the traditional boundaries of the banjo, and often there are electronics involved.

Or is what Bela is doing something else entirely? I cannot think of another genre for his music, but honestly, I really don’t know what he’s been doing as of late. Last time I heard Bela, it seemed he was moving into more of an jamband jazz direction. But then again, I don’t really understand labels and categorization so well.

In another example, I was listening to Mark Linkous(sparklehorse) today, and some of the recordings mixed into the music reminded me of some of the Livers Blood & Mood stuff, or even DB’s Oft-Mended Raiment. Is that folktronic?

Just some late-night ramblings I’ve been pondering. PEACE.OUT.