Alternative and indie are among many different classifications of music.
Alternative music has long been associated with creative freedom and experimentation. Many independent artists remain independent by not signing with one of the Big Three record labels – giving them more control over their work and giving listeners something fresh and original.
Definition
There’s an iconic scene from an old movie wherein a staff member at a rustic country bar proclaims to a customer that their establishment plays “both kinds.” A similar sentiment holds true when discussing alternative and indie music; their distinction can sometimes be unclear and may require further exploration to fully grasp.
Alternative and indie music often represent vague ideas and beliefs rather than specific musical styles or sounds, making it hard to identify what a band or song represents unless you know their artist background and history of genre.
Alternative music first came into vogue during the 1970s and ’80s, often associated with punk rock aesthetics that diverged from mainstream musical tradition. Musicians typically write lyrics that do not conform to typical genre lyrical themes while often borrowing elements from different genres to craft an individual sound that stands out.
Since then, this genre has grown more defined, yet has retained its rebellious edge. Many contemporary artists such as Beck, Sigur Ros, My Bloody Valentine and Cat Power can be considered “alternative” even though they’re signed to major labels due to shoegazing: an influencer combining elements of pop, rock and dream pop with lo-fi production styles for creating something known as shoegazing.
Indie music is less of an easy definition than its alternative counterpart; however, it generally refers to any genre not produced by major commercial record labels and often draws inspiration from underground movements such as shoegazing and post-punk. Indie is constantly finding new ways to express itself – an excellent outlet for students seeking creative outlets.
However, it should be remembered that not all independent bands qualify as indie by definition. Phoebe Bridgers and Mac DeMarco both fit this bill yet work with major record labels – this doesn’t make their music less indie but shows independence is no longer an indivisible prerequisite of indie status.
Origins
Alternative rock emerged during the early 1980s as an antidote to commercial music industry and an embracer of newer styles of rock music. Bands like Pixies, Mudhoney, and R.E.M. popularized jangly guitars with stripped-down arrangements to produce a thoughtful style of rock that was in direct contrast with commercial radio’s airplay-driven approach. Furthermore, alternative rock challenged the notion that looks and popularity were more significant than talent and musical ability.
Over time, “indie music” morphed into more of a marketing term. It came to refer to any record that didn’t conform to mainstream musical formulas or was signed to major record labels – helping maintain its independence while diluting its original meaning.
Indie” has become almost meaningless today, often being used by artists who do not have an affiliation to independent record labels as an attempt to add credibility and legitimacy to their music. Pop culture has co-opted the term as a term that refers to anything not mainstream or popular such as any type of music from underground bands to radio hits – which falls within its scope.
Indie artists tend to embrace a do-it-yourself (DIY) aesthetic in their approach. They may record at home using simple equipment or self-publish their albums through smaller independent record labels, in order to bypass major record label investments while staying true to their creative vision and stay on their chosen creative path.
Indie musicians tend to create music that reflects their personalities and interests; their sound often expresses raw emotions with lyrics that touch upon personal experiences as well as social issues; these songs often feature distinctive voices such as Thom Yorke of Radiohead writing them.
Indie rock has endured its fair share of internal struggles in terms of maintaining its identity, yet still managed to impact many major modern musicians in significant ways. Indie rock’s influence can be heard through post-punk, dream pop and shoegazing acts such as Beck and CAKE.
Indie music does not have one precise definition, yet has long been associated with rejecting commercial trends and adopting more progressive styles. This genre often stands out as being experimental and daring – often serving as a political statement through song.
Styles
Although alternative and indie music are often confused, there is an important distinction between them. Indie music allows more artistic freedom and cannot be placed into one genre box. It often acts as a form of resistance against mainstream culture and often produced by outsiders in the industry who do not adhere to strict templates when creating their work.
Indie music first emerged as a term in the late 70s to describe rock music that wasn’t part of mainstream. Since then, however, its definition has broadened. Indie now refers to any style of noncommercially successful music which doesn’t fall neatly under one of the more established genres or fits any other subcategories; additionally it can refer to bands with DIY attitudes independent from major record labels.
Alternative and indie music span a wide spectrum, from grunge and new wave through shoegaze, steampunk, post-punk and beyond. Musical creativity runs deep within these genres – many artists have developed unique styles. Genre songs tend to focus more on lyrics rather than beat or melody as an outlet to express emotion and question social norms; young people in particular often embrace this type of music because it speaks directly to their perspective on life.
Nirvana and The Red Hot Chili Peppers helped popularize alternative music during their respective periods of popularity. Both began as indie acts before breaking through mainstream acceptance due to their incredible musical talent; Nirvana in particular became known as an innovator within alternative music circles.
Alternative music has grown increasingly popular with younger generations, providing listeners an avenue to express themselves and form their own style. Plus, as it embraces all musical genres – it has no doubt captured so much youth interest!
Audience
Alternative music was traditionally an underground genre until the 1990s, with bands remaining independent without signing to major record labels, receiving little mainstream coverage or airplay. But the success of Nirvana and the grunge movement triggered a seismic shift in music taste; alternative rock bands became better-known among audiences while young techies began using the internet as their go-to source for music news and discovering new artists. Websites like Pitchfork and Stereogum were instrumental in making the genre accessible to new audiences, while MySpace and Bandcamp allowed listeners to tailor their playlists according to their tastes rather than what radio stations were playing.
In the 1990s, indie folk and rock had a revival. Bands like Neutral Milk Hotel, Pavement and Sebadoh capitalized on advances in technology and lo-fi recording to craft an original sound that took cues from Sonic Youth, The Beatles and other classic indie musicians; yet their lyrics often addressed personal challenges experienced by young adults at that time.
Genre was very popular among female audiences, and bands like Veruca Salt, Belly and Sleater-Kinney enjoyed widespread fame among this demographic. Additionally, female singer-songwriters like PJ Harvey, Tori Amos and Sarah McLachlan made waves within this scene.
Recently, this genre has been revitalized by bands like Kings of Leon, LCD Soundsystem and The National. Their contemporary sounds draw on multiple influences ranging from electronica to punk while creating complex melodies with lyrics that explore various topics.
Thom Yorke of Radiohead epitomizes the alternative genre with his creative and unpredictability in his songs; no two songs written by him sound the same! He consistently pushes boundaries within genre to provide his listeners something fresh; as one of the most respected and influential artists of his generation; his honest yet androgynous voice have established him as an iconic figure within alternative music scene.