1965 was an auspicious year for indie music. From MC5 and Velvet Underground, 1965 witnessed many emerging acts that defiantly refused the commercial mainstream, often opting for low-quality sound aesthetics that exude authenticity.
Today, “indie” encompasses many different musical genres ranging from garage rock to psychedelic folk. Virtually any independent band can use this label.
Origins
Alternative indie music has emerged as an alternative response to mainstream commercialization and popularity, emerging out of post-punk and new wave movements that emerged during the 70s punk rock scene. Furthermore, its roots can be traced to independent record labels that challenged major label record companies for supremacy in the marketplace.
US indie music scene became synonymous with grunge music during the early 1990s. Bands such as Pavement, Nirvana and Mudhoney established this style of music; its influence could be felt across different cities across America: Boston gave rise to Pixies Lemonheads Dinosaur Jr, Soundgarden Mudhoney Seattle Soundgarden Mudhoney Smashing Pumpkins Liz Phair while Washington DC provided Fugazi and Shudder To Think as well as being home for these artists among others.
Alternative indie music of the 1980s differed significantly from its sister genre of indie pop by being more guitar driven. Characterized by jangly sounds and DIY aesthetics with earnest realist and sometimes pessimistic lyrics; and drawing influence from different genres including punk rock, reggae, and experimental rock music genres.
When the indie scene emerged from underground in the 1990s, two camps emerged: those who transitioned into commercial radio and those that stayed underground. Grunge bands such as Nirvana became prominent as alternative rock representatives on mainstream radio, while Pavement kept producing indie music with integrity that aligned with their initial ideals.
Indie music of the 2000s and later is an eclectic genre. Many bands have blended elements from various other genres – punk, reggae and funk for example – into their albums to produce truly eclectic albums that appeal to a younger audience. This type of music has become an increasingly popular trend.
Indie hip-hop is another trend making waves, with numerous bands now making a name for themselves in this genre. Artists influenced by funk, rock, jazz and soul combine with hip-hop elements to form unique sounds; such artists include Mos Def, De La Soul, Kids in the Hall and Consequence to name just a few who have achieved mainstream fame in this style of hip-hop music.
Influences
Alternative indie music encompasses a broad variety of genres that exist independently from major commercial record labels, with its roots going back to DIY punk and post-punk scenes of the 1970s and 80s, where bands created music without assistance from record labels, often inspiring subsequent movements. Following its mainstream exposure via grunge and Britpop in the 1990s, alternative indie music began losing some of its independence as artists became less experimental while some adopted more commercial styles.
Indie music has an ever-evolving definition. The term can refer to any genre that lacks commercial appeal like pop or rock music; or to styles that embrace more authentic, creative or artisanal forms of expression than mainstream culture allows. Indie music may also refer to independent record label movements that began during the late 70s with labels like Tony Wilson’s Factory Records, Daniel Miller’s Mute Records, and Chris Parry’s Rough Trade that helped popularize post-punk, new wave, and other alternative genres.
After the 1990s, many independent labels continued to thrive; however, due to their acts’ success they often became more commercially focused. Some successful independent labels may even become part of larger conglomerates or merge with major record labels; for instance, Alan McGee founded Creation Records on a small scale during the 80s; it eventually achieved mainstream fame thanks to acts such as Oasis, My Bloody Valentine and Ride.
Indie pop has quickly gained prominence over recent years as an indie genre that blends elements of alternative rock with catchy melodies and hooks for pop appeal. Singer-songwriters such as Bon Iver, St Vincent, deadmau5, Timbaland and Itzhak Perlman have all adopted it into their films and television shows respectively, as well as commercial advertisements like Twilight: New Moon soundtrack and Volkswagen “Driverless Car” campaign featuring indie pop.
Styles
Alternative music has always been difficult to pin down as a genre. “Alternative” and “indie” refer to an umbrella term covering various musical forms that challenge mainstream formulas; some forms may be instantly recognisable while others require closer inspection in order to fully appreciate.
Alternative music typically features an avant-garde approach that challenges the mainstream industry and offers artists an outlet to express their opinions on important societal matters.
Rooted in post-punk and new wave bands of the 70s, such as Mission of Burma, Minor Threat and Husker Du, alternative indie music can be traced back to its foundational bands with their raw guitar riffs and high decibel levels – this subgenre ultimately gave way to Grunge music dominated by groups like Nirvana and Pearl Jam in the 90s.
As this genre gained momentum, alternative indie bands began forming across the United States and internationally. Many independent music acts hailed from provincial American cities or college towns where artistic expression took precedence over financial gain; early adopters often worked through independent record labels that weren’t affiliated with major music corporations.
Alternative indie music remains an influential and beloved genre today, still boasting artists with creative control over their work and helping to develop unique musical sounds. Over time, its influence has grown considerably; yet alternative indie remains popular and influential today.
Artists like Radiohead, Arcade Fire, Kendrick Lamar and Ani DiFranco have used music to raise awareness and spark debate on various issues that plague society today. Through their music they have reached a wide audience and inspired people to live more freely while thinking critically – this is truly the essence of alternative indie music!
Trends
As alternative music evolved, so too did its perception and marketing. In the 1980s, its presence was predominantly associated with small scenes in provincial American cities and college towns like Boston (home of Pixies, The Lemonheads, Dinosaur Jr. and Blake Babies), Minneapolis (where Replacements, Husker Du and Pavement emerged), and New York City (shaded by Smashing Pumpkins, Liz Phair and Pavement). But then came 1991’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, Nirvana’s first major-label single from Seattle grunge band Nirvana.) Nirvana catapulted them all into national consciousness that year!
By the 1990s, several indie rock bands had achieved mainstream radio airplay and earned critical acclaim while remaining true to their independent roots. These bands represented part of an emerging movement from within a wider counterculture scene which rebelled against authority.
Indie music no longer refers solely to independent releases; rather it encompasses an expansive genre that exists alongside commercial pop and rock genres. Indie also represents resistance against popular culture evoking feelings of realism, independence, and authenticity.
Indie music labels also fall under this genre’s purview; many of its best-known acts have had their records released through independent labels. As opposed to major labels, indie-oriented labels are less concerned with profits and focus instead on artistic integrity – giving bands the freedom to experiment with various musical styles and sounds while providing listeners with an immersive listening experience on vinyl records.
Many indie rock bands still opt to release their albums on vinyl, which remains an appealing format among fans. Over recent years, vinyl’s popularity has surged as it regains its standing within the music industry; as this trend grows further, indie bands may experiment with different sounds and styles to produce music which remains both original and innovative; something which will only further secure its place within indie rock for future generations.