The indie music ’70s were an era of iconic rebelliousness. Bands such as Dinosaur Jr., Sebadoh and Sonic Youth broke boundaries with loud guitar instrumentals and lyrics emphasizing emotion and irony.
But art and money were finally on a collision course – never again would routine blues progressions, hair metal songs or corporate propaganda rule the charts.
Punk Rock
Punk rock emerged during the ’70s and flourished into an international movement during 1975-1980, breaking away from mainstream 70s rock’s rigid formal rules by featuring songs that often featured short, fast-paced tracks with harsh vocal styles and an anti-establishment message through DIY recording (musicians usually produced and distributed their own recordings). Influences included Yes, Pink Floyd and Jethro Tull as well as many bands who took their own approach to punk’s musicality – yet punk music remains widely relevant today.
Punk is a subculture that views Western capitalist society as an oppressive power structure ripe for revolution, leading to tolerance for almost anything that disrupts or subverts status quo, including riots, violence and vandalism. Furthermore, this movement promotes youth and authenticity – believing they can best effect change by living authentic lives themselves.
Punk movement was always marked by ideological turf wars, which has continued into modernity with woke culture and social media contributing to punk’s “scene police”, who egregiously denounce those they consider infractions to their holier-than-thou standards of virtue – this phenomenon has turned the once free punk scene into one where everyone must constantly watch out not offending any self-appointed arbiters of virtue, leaving little space for creativity or debate.
Early punk was often political, with bands like the New York Dolls, Ramones and Black Flag using it to champion social change. Patti Smith led this scene through her influential reviews for Richard Hell’s band Television and later appearing in Robert Mapplethorpe’s iconic CBGB photo portrait – providing an idealized vision of Lower East Side decadence.
Punk rock spawned an array of styles that expanded its influence during the 1990s, with bands like Weezer and American Football helping inspire a new wave of artists. As this decade drew to an end, indie rock explored new forms such as drone music and shoegaze – further expanding its global influence and reaching acts all around the globe.
Garage Rock
Garage Rock music features an unpolished, unadorned sound characterized by heavy guitars and fast tempos, making for an engaging listening experience that was popular during the 1960s and considered an precursor of punk rock. Originating in local scenes in small American cities, Garage Rock bands often found temporary fame but some found long-term success; additionally it had an influence over new wave and psychedelic rock of that decade.
“Garage rock” derives its name from young amateur musicians practicing in their families’ garages as rehearsal spaces. Although this may sound stereotypical, the genre encompasses an expansive range of musical talent; bands can range from raw and crude to near studio musician quality; typically featuring simple chord structures and aggressive lyrics while often drawing inspiration from other genres such as country, surf and folk rock.
Slacker culture was closely tied to suburban teen culture and provided an outlet for teenage rebellion and self-expression. Many punk rock musicians borrowed characteristics from this genre such as its DIY ethic and raw sound; furthermore, this genre helped popularize distortion effects on electric guitars.
Modern indie rock has drawn inspiration from garage rock, with artists like Ty Segall, Thee Oh Sees, and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard channeling its energy in modern indie music. These bands embrace its DIY aesthetic and lo-fi production style while adding their own distinct sound. Over the years, indie music scene has become more diverse, from folk and country acts to electronica and hip-hop; traditionally male performers were dominant but more female artists are making waves now too. Social media and streaming services only seem set to strengthen this trend!
Folk
The 1970s witnessed a revival of folk music, with artists using lyrics reflecting personal experiences and observations to infuse this genre with personal meaning. Acoustic instruments like guitar were popular, creating an intimate sound. Many folk artists also used their songs as platforms for social activism or political commentary on topics like poverty or war through thought-provoking lyrics like Bob Dylan’s famous “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “The Times They Are A-Changin'”, becoming iconic songs among young people who were looking for change.
R.E.M, The Replacements, and Husker Du were instrumental in shaping the United States indie scene with their raw sound and emotive lyrics, creating an indie movement with their albums and singles that often spoke about personal struggles while inspiring fans of similar bands to become part of it. This ultimately spurred other bands to follow suit and join this movement.
Indie artists tend to prioritize authentic lyrical expression over commercial success when creating songs, placing an emphasis on writing lyrics that resonate with listeners on an emotional level as well as creating engaging chord progressions and melodies. Many indie musicians are singer-songwriters which allows them the chance to showcase their vocal talent.
Indie music has seen rapid expansion during the 2010s, encompassing an array of styles and genres. This has been demonstrated by acts like The Lumineers, Mumford & Sons and The Avett Brothers; folk acts like The Lumineers, Mumford & Sons and The Avett Brothers as well as electronic artists like Four Tet, Caribou and hip-hop acts such as Drake, Kendrick Lamar and Frank Ocean; electronic artists Four Tet and Caribou as well as hip-hop acts such as Drake Kendrick Lamar and Frank Ocean. These artists continue to experiment, shaping modern indie scenes while maintaining longevity – promising an exciting future ahead!
Post-Punk
Post-punk music emerged out of punk rock during the late 1970s, as an experimental subgenre with themes of loss, depression and alienation. These bands utilized more discordant chords compared to traditional power chords used in rock music – this genre went on to influence future artists as well as help define an indie music movement.
Post punk bands like The Cure, Gang of Four, XTC Magazine Siouxsie and the Banshees and Joy Division often experimented with more avant-garde styles and sounds. They melded elements from punk music with gothic music to produce an original style; many songs by these groups often dealt with themes of existentialist loss or dealt with dark imagery or dealt with related lyrical topics such as existential pain.
Indie music has become an integral part of modern culture. Popular among young people and inspiring many new artists alike, the indie music movement has revolutionized how musicians create and release their music; leading to independent record labels emerging across all genres of music production and release. Notable acts indie acts include Arctic Monkeys, Mac DeMarco, Tame Impala, The Neighbourhood Two Door Cinema Club and The Vaccines to name just a few.
Today, many music streaming services provide indie music playlists; however, there remains considerable confusion as to what exactly this term entails. While the word “indie” might imply independence, indie music encompasses many styles and genres.
Indie music draws its inspiration from post-punk, new wave and alternative rock genres, but has its own distinct identity due to a DIY culture and commitment to independence. Indie revolutionized the music industry during its 1970s inception by allowing bands to self-produce and distribute records without label interference – leading to greater diversity of musical styles while giving new artists greater exposure and audience access.
Indie music has quickly become an international phenomenon that spans multiple generations. From Post-Punk guitars and experimental compositions, to Britpop’s more anthemic sounds and classic tracks such as Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit or Weezer’s Mr. Brightside; indie rock offers something for any music fan!