Start subliminal messaging

[pixiekingtom.livejournal.com]

Jonathon Coulton. Bring him to D*C
Jonathon Coulton. Bring him to D*C
Jonathon Coulton. Bring him to D*C
Jonathon Coulton. Bring him to D*C
/end subliminal messaging

Comments

[iruka-yuywell.livejournal.com]

PAX already has him that weekend...sorry...

There's nearly no comedy/Dementia music this year..

[tomreedtoon.livejournal.com]

The convention has alienated Tom Smith and Luke Ski, who did all kinds of work trying to keep a comedy music track together. It seems that the con would rather have metal bands who know all of three chords, to bring in thousands of kids who want a place to rave, than have the filk musicians that just wanted some concerts and places to sell their CD's. And Tom and Luke know Mr. Coulton, many filk musicians and performers. The bad news travels fast.

Re: There's nearly no comedy/Dementia music this year..

[k-smithington.livejournal.com]

Luke Ski was there last year, no?? So were a few other comedy peeps, weren't they?? What makes you say that there wont be anybody like that this year?? Oh, could it be the fact that D*C tv people made a freaking video to joco's Re: Your Brains?! oh yeah, they must hate him then! Look, Sean Astin hasn't cancled yet, so the guest list is clearly not official. ;) ;)

Re: There's nearly no comedy/Dementia music this year..

[3horn.livejournal.com]

They also did "Code Monkey" last year.

Personally, I'm not a fan of filking, and you certainly won't see me shed a tear at the "loss" of Luke Ski. Then again, I don't go to Dragon*Con to sit in an overpacked ballroom to listen to music anyway.

Although Jonathan Coulton would make me reconsider that if he weren't already booked.

WHY nearly no comedy/Dementia music this year..

[tomreedtoon.livejournal.com]

Ms. Smithington, I didn't want to get into the gory details, but here they are.

In 2007, Tom Smith was officially running the Dementia/Comedy Music track. He wasn't listed in the program book as a director, despite the work he did, and they didn't print his bio. The Filk Guest of Honor, Carla Ulbrich, didn't get a damned thing when it was customary for the GOH to get at least membership and at least a rebate on her room. Tom Smith was angry - the first time I have ever seen him angry - and made it clear he didn't want anything to do with Dragon*Con until they profusely apologized and provided some assurances of better treatment.

In 2008, Luke Ski took over the management of the track. He only got notification that he was a guest three weeks before Dragon*Con, making it hell for him to get a room, and leaving him uncertain. (Luke's only real income is his music and his caricature drawing; he had to NOT earn money until Dragon*Con finally confirmed him.)

Luke got the same treatment, and worse; they scheduled a big commercial concert against his only solo concert, his only real chance to perform properly. He is not hopeful to do anything with Dragon*Con until they also provide assurances for all the filk performers, and probably also apologize to Tom Smith.

The people in filk and Dementia music are brethren. They talk to each other. They know how conventions treat them and their fellows. Much as they like performing, they want their contributions to be respected by the convention. This has clearly not happened with Dragon*Con.

Just so you know, I am not a performer. I am a fan of Dementia and comedy music, and am kind of a friend to these people. I have supported them at Dragon*Con with help at their merch tables and getting them meals, every moment I wasn't doing something else.

Tom, Luke and the other performers do not want to raise a stink, because they are professional. They want to perform there again if the con really wants them back. But they have to make money and entertain fans where they feel welcome. Dragon*Con did not make them feel welcome.

That will only change when people like you, who will be going to the con, make it known to the convention that you would like them back again. Bitterness and anger will not help. Just a good comment to the convention staff, possibly in the form of a letter, saying you wish they could bring back filk and comedy music performances.


In the meantime, I will see Luke, Devo Spice and other performers here in Orlando for Nerdapalooza. It's small, it's all music, it's not a big event, but at least they know they'll be respected.

Re: WHY nearly no comedy/Dementia music this year..

[k-smithington.livejournal.com]

I understand what you mean, that is crappy treatment. Honestly, though, I wouldn't care if Luke Ski came or not, he's not someone I actually go to see (though I would happily support whatever it takes to bring performers back to Dragon*Con, I'm just supportive of people's wants the way I'd want them to be of mine) but Jonathan Coulton is a musician I'd love to see, and yes he is mostly comedy, but so is Voltaire. Don't get me wrong, I love Voltaire, and I love (some) comedy music (mostly morbid satire! :) but a lot of voltaire's stuff has gotten "oddly comedic" lately in a way that makes me ask "what happened to the serious stuff?? I loved Almost Human!" Point being that they keep having voltaire back even with all his silliness. So maybe you would consider JoCo with the comedy/dementia filk that are currently anti-D*Con or you can do what I do- put him in the same group I put voltaire in: geek rock. To me, there is a difference.

Re: WHY nearly no comedy/Dementia music this year..

[pixiekingtom.livejournal.com]

The last 2 years running, J.Coulton has said that he would LOVE to work a Dragon con gig on his blog, but never gets invited.
I'll agree with other opinions, though, I'm getting tired of the same sound in half of the musical guests over and over again.

Re: WHY nearly no comedy/Dementia music this year..

[sffilk.livejournal.com]

Why am I not surprised?

Tom was promised better treatment?

[sffilk.livejournal.com]

or did I misunderstand you?

Re: Tom was promised better treatment?

[tomreedtoon.livejournal.com]

No, he was not, or if he was, he hasn't said so. It's been two years since Tom was director for filk/comedy music, and his feelings haven't been expressed about it. As I said before, he's a professional. He keeps business matters, especially disagreements, off-stage and out of the public's sight.

He also has that problem of his various broken bones and injuries to deal with, and his healing that - and getting his home in order for his own comfort - is his main concern now.

Re: WHY nearly no comedy/Dementia music this year..

[sffilk.livejournal.com]

Luke Ski may have been in charge of comedy/dementia, but Robbie Hillyard was in charge of the filk track. I know this because I present take care of the official Dragon*Con filk track web page, which is here (http://www.geocities.com/sffilk/dc.htm).

Re: There's nearly no comedy/Dementia music this year..

[sffilk.livejournal.com]

Well, you all could come to GaFilk (http://www.gafilk.org) and see Tom. Maybe he could convince JoCo to come down to Jaw jah.

[penguin-ford.livejournal.com]

May I not so subliminaly state that I want Gareth David Lloyd.

[princess-eowyn.livejournal.com]

and i would like to not subliminally second this. :D

[marrus.livejournal.com]

The subliminal double-negatives are hurting my delicate right brain;)

[xenaclone.livejournal.com]

Psst, Adam Baldwin :-). And this time tie him to something so that he does actually attend [GGG]. (humour!)

[princess-eowyn.livejournal.com]

glad to be of service. :D