What is indie?

[darkchicken101]

The genre... What kinda music is it? I thought it was indian music because I'm ignorant.

[SHEEPY]

Stuff I am into actually. Coldplay, Radiohead, REM, bands like those.

[NekkLe]

I suppose its a more mellowed out rock? Its easy listening. I think some of the music produced for indie can contribute to anyone, some of its like-able :)

[RedStratocas]

Im pretty sure where the word came from was "Independent". Its music that doesnt have a major label, its unlike any other genre and original, kinda. Its almost like an "Other" section in genres, usually rock. Radiohead is a good example of indie, because up until the time they came out, there were no bands that had the same sound as they did. The differences may be small, but they are there.

This definition used to be "Alternative" but then it kinda morphed into an actuall genre, rather than the absence of one.

[beth]

I suppose its a more mellowed out rock? Its easy listening. I think some of the music produced for indie can contribute to anyone, some of its like-able :)

Yeah I think it just basically is a mellowed out rock isn't it?

Uhm.. didn't they call the Killers indie for a while?
-shrug-

[kasi]

indie isn't any of those really..
it's like; music that not alot of people know about. take death cab for cutie for example. no one knew about their music a long time ago. and when mcr had their first album; that was indie. and from first to lasts first album; aesthetic. no one knew about it really. OR the arcade fire. no one knew about them until rebellion [lies] came out. i hope i gave enough examples.

[RedStratocas]

indie isn't any of those really..
it's like; music that not alot of people know about. take death cab for cutie for example. no one knew about their music a long time ago. and when mcr had their first album; that was indie. and from first to lasts first album; aesthetic. no one knew about it really. OR the arcade fire. no one knew about them until rebellion [lies] came out. i hope i gave enough examples.

Well its not so much as "unpopular" as much as it is unlike any other. Otherwise it would be just be every band whos indie other than the ones that are popular. And if it was judged by how popular it was, it would be a genre by perspective completely. Whats popular to someone, someone else might have never hear of. So to someone it wouldnt be indie, but someone else, it would be.

[beth]

indie isn't any of those really..
it's like; music that not alot of people know about. take death cab for cutie for example. no one knew about their music a long time ago. and when mcr had their first album; that was indie. and from first to lasts first album; aesthetic. no one knew about it really. OR the arcade fire. no one knew about them until rebellion [lies] came out. i hope i gave enough examples.

I love basically all the bands you mentioned then excluding mcr.

Anyway; I think genres these days are really hard to define.

I think it probably lies on your like.. opinion of music.

[kasi]

I love basically all the bands you mentioned then excluding mcr.

Anyway; I think genres these days are really hard to define.

I think it probably lies on your like.. opinion of music.
true. and yeah i hate mcr. only song i like by them is demolition lovers; from their first album.

[beth]

true. and yeah i hate mcr. only song i like by them is demolition lovers; from their first album.

Demolition lovers makes me cry :']
I can only do Drowning lessons or Bury me in black.

[RedStratocas]

From Wikipedia:

The term "Indie" is often confused with a sound that a musician presents when it is in fact the way that sound is presented or made. "Indie" often refers to an artist or band that is not part of the mainstream culture and/or making music outside its influence. Though the sound of these bands may differ greatly, the "Indie" definition comes from the do-it-yourself attitude and ability to work outside large corporations...

...The problem with this definition is that there is often little correlation between the commerciality or creative freedom offered by major labels and those outside the "big four". Most of the larger independent labels are run along the same business principles as the major labels, with A&R departments, marketing budgets and commercial considerations guiding their operations. Meanwhile, major labels often retain independently-oriented artists who are given greater creative independence, and who receive considerable critical acclaim. Some notable major-label artists of this sort include Sonic Youth, Radiohead, Pulp and The Flaming Lips.

So you had the right idea Kaye :)

[beth]

Oh I do love Wikipeadia <333
Always so helpful <3

[kaut]

RedStratocas pretty much has described it in both principle and sound.

[NekkLe]

indie isn't any of those really..
it's like; music that not alot of people know about. take death cab for cutie for example. no one knew about their music a long time ago. and when mcr had their first album; that was indie. and from first to lasts first album; aesthetic. no one knew about it really. OR the arcade fire. no one knew about them until rebellion [lies] came out. i hope i gave enough examples.
I would agree that its popular, here in England its very popular, probably the 'in' music at the moment. I think most of its bands orginated from England to create the sound of Indie today, E.G Oasis, Coldplay and keane.

These bands are very much in the indie genre :)

[Jordan3]

I thought it was lighter rock, like Coldplay, Franz Ferdinand etc.

[beth]

I thought it was lighter rock, like Coldplay, Franz Ferdinand etc.

Yeah thats what I originally thought, although reading back through the posts I kinda understand the genre more now ;D

[RedStratocas]

Yeah, dont think of indie as a genre, think of it as an absence of a genre.;) The "Other" section in music.

[beth]

Yeah, dont think of indie as a genre, think of it as an absence of a genre.;) The "Other" section in music.

Ohhh I like the way you just explained that ^_^
Eassyyy and understandableee <33

[RedStratocas]

Ohhh I like the way you just explained that ^_^
Eassyyy and understandableee <33

Im such a hero :P Actually, now that I think about it, thats probably the easiest genre to describe and understand. All other genres you have to go into such detail. Ever try explaining punk to someone? Thats a tough one:p

[beth]

Im such a hero :P Actually, now that I think about it, thats probably the easiest genre to describe and understand. All other genres you have to go into such detail. Ever try explaining punk to someone? Thats a tough one:p

You are the indie explanation hero! -worship-
And yeah lmaoo.. we all went in such detail describing it.. when you explained it in 2 sentences lmaoo.

[Jordan3]

Im such a hero :P Actually, now that I think about it, thats probably the easiest genre to describe and understand. All other genres you have to go into such detail. Ever try explaining punk to someone? Thats a tough one:p

Try explaining emo lmao, though when I asked someone, they gave me this site, and it explains the whole "emo" thing in real depth.