INDIE MUSIC

ORIGINS

Independent music was originally music which was created by an independent record label and/or artist, differentiating it from pop. It was a deviation of Punk, following on from the 70's era, but with less aggression and need for anarchy, while still maintaining the self-reliant attitude. The term came about as artists under this genre had broken free from corporate record labels, such Universal, Sony, Warner and EMI, and started to put out music with smaller, independent record labels, or simply by themselves.

Certain sounds became linked with the original independent artists and labels, forming the genres identity.

INDIE MUSIC VALUES AND ETHOS

Indie music isn’t necessarily just down to the music produced, but also down to the artist or record labels values.

Indie as a term is similar to Punk, in that it is focused on creating the music independently, without major influence from others. It is less consumerist and more about the direction the band want to take. This philosophy has had a big impact on this genre, shaping Indie music, its image, the culture surrounding it and it’s sound.

AMERICAN VS. BRITISH

British and Americans have a slight difference over the definition of indie music. In the UK indie music came to rise in the 80’s due to the break from the big record labels. The UK Indie Charts were created in 1980 following the growth of independent labels. However, in America it came to rise in the 90’s. Here indie and alternative music became two separate, yet interchangeable genres.

It could be said that Indie as a genre is far bigger in Britain, with Alternative being the more dominant genre of the two in America, where Indie is more of an ethos.

ALTERNATIVE MUSIC CONFUSION

Alternative is a branch of Indie, and was an alterative to commercial music or radio.

Big bands like Nirvana became the alternative bands, who were the commercial face of indie, and were signed to big labels.

Then there were smaller bands who were underground, remaining true to the origins of indie, keeping with the aesthetic- becoming the 'indie bands'.

There has always been a slight confusion over indie and alternative because of this. Many people would name bands such as Modest Mouse, Radiohead, Muse or The Killers as archetypal 'indie bands'. However, they are 'alternative' bands by definition.

BLURRED LINES

In an age of computers the raw sound of indie is disappearing. Originally, one main thing that separated indie music was the quality of sound, as bands signed to big labels had high production quality, due to the money and resources they had. But, now because of technology, it has become easier to make music of a high quality with limited resources and money. This makes the quality of indie music far higher than before, competing with that of mainstream artists. This creates the issue that indie music could change from it’s origins and cross over into the mainstream- which it appears to have done over the years.

INDIE LABELS

There are different types of Indie labels. There can be more commercial ones, who represent artists that fit with the indie music sound. Then there are the labels who are truer to the definition of independent and are small labels, with a few people who manage the artists, without corporate input.But overtime and due to circumstance labels can change. For instance if a small label picks up a band, who become very successful, then the smaller label will take shape of the more commercial ones. Overall 30% of record sales are from independent labels. Independent labels: 4AD, Sarah, XL Recordings, SST, Sub Pop, Creation, Stiff, Kill Rock Stars, Rough Trade, Mute, Heavenly, Factory, Warp, Domino, Wichita.

SUPER GENRE

Indie music is not necessarily a music genre, but more of an umbrella for all the subgenres that fall under it. The term indie can help to separate music from what typically fits that genre. For instance ‘indie-rock’. This music is no longer rock, but due to the sound associated with indie music, has become a sub-genre.

SUB-GENRES

• Indie Rock• Indie Pop• Indie Folk• Indie Electronic• Indie Dance• Indie Alternative• Indie Hip-Hop

• Math Rock• Sadcore• Indietronica• Grindie • Tweepop• Alternative Indie• Alternative Rock

• Alternative pop• Alternative Indie

Rock Pop

INDIE ROCK

There are a number of band which really brought indie rock into the mainstream: The Strokes, The White Stripes, The Smiths, Modest Mouse, The Vines, The Hives, Pavement and The Pixies to name a few.

These band emerged, with music that was a balance between mainstream rock, with influence of Indie. It could be seen as more aggressive and angst-y that other indie subgenres. They also still carry an essence of stereotypical ‘Rock Stars’ about them, which helps to separate Indie Rock bands images from other subgenres.

Indie Rock is one of the main sub-genres, with many publications, TV shows and Radio stations solely dedicated to it. For instance XFm is a British radio station which is dedicated to indie rock. Also NME, a music journalism magazine, is dedicated to indie-rock and rock news.

INDIE ROCK MUSIC VIDEOS

• These videos are very similar to normal rock videos, in that they are a performace, with a lot of emphasis on the band image, their sound and the instruments they’re playing.

• They use a lot of close ups on the artists and the instruments to emphasis the sounds.

• There is also a lot of straight performance where the band are in a studio. This also means that the band sing to the camera, fully aware of the filming.

The Strokes- Reptilia

INDIE POP

This subgenre originated in the 70’s with the same basis of post-punk ideology, yet it is more melodious that rock or punk.

It has also been linked with twee-pop, so is typically more gentle, innocent and pretty. These artists also tend to be more quirky, such as Arcade Fire, Belle and Sebastian or Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

Band that have been linked with Indie Pop are: Belle and Sebastian, MGMT, The Postal Service, Vampire Weekend, Pheonix, Foster The People, Passion Pit and The Smiths.

INDIE POP MUSIC VIDEOS

• As these bands are quite arty and unique, the videos tend to be quirky, representing the artists. They also tend to be more surreal due to this.

• This sub-genre is quite upbeat, so the music videos keep with this theme by being imaginative, stylized and colorful.

• There is performance in these videos, but they typically follow a narrative compared to straight performance

Belle and Sebastian- The Blues Are Still Blue

INDIE FOLK

Indie folk originated in the 90’s, when indie rock artists merged into folk music, taking inspiration from classic country, folk, acoustic, jazz, blues and electronica.

This subgenre tends to be quite whimsical, harmonious and calming. It typically uses harmonies, acoustic instruments and meaningful lyrics.

Some of the most famous indie folk bands are: Mumford and Sons, Laura Marling, Fleet Foxes, Sufjan Stevens, Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, Daughter, Nick Drake and Beirut.

INDIE FOLK VIDEOS

• As this genre has root in country and folk, there tends to be a lot of natures influence in them. There are muted or natural colour palettes, they are relatively simplistic and stylised compared to the other sub-genres, with the most likely effects to be light flares or colour filters.

Mumford And Sons- The Cave