Indie rock music covers an eclectic spectrum, from garage alternative to gothic rock. Additionally, this style can include new wave and pop.
Franz Ferdinand’s debut song epitomizes the sound of indie rock with its driving guitar riffs and catchy vocals, becoming an indie rock classic that has been featured in movies and television shows worldwide.
The Shins
The Shins are an indie band founded by singer/songwriter James Mercer in 2001 and are well known for their emotive melodies and poetic lyrics. Since their first studio release in 2002, The Shins have released six studio albums.
The Shins were formed in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Over time, its membership has changed; however, James Mercer remains as lead singer and primary songwriter. Their debut album Oh, Inverted World! was critically acclaimed and its song New Slang featured prominently in Zach Braff’s Garden State movie; which launched the band to greater renown.
By their second album, Chutes Too Narrow, the band had established themselves as an indestructible force in music. Their subsequent releases (Wincing the Night Away and Wincing Out the Day Away) showed greater maturity and commercial success.
In The Worm’s Heart, The Shins experiment with different sounds. While their songs remain grounded in their classic Shins sound of accessible melodies and lyrics with extensive vocabulary and twinkling keyboards, production approaches vary more drastically; Cherry Hearts (Flipped), for instance, evolves from synth pop into an anthemic rock track featuring drum throbs and Who-esque guitar riffs.
Chance The Rapper
Chancelor Johnathan Bennett, more commonly known by his stage name Chance the Rapper, is an American rapper and social activist. Refusing to sign with any major record labels, he instead achieved wide renown through digital downloads and streaming services; using his platform to promote social change in his hometown of Chicago.
Chicago native Chance Bennett always had dreams of becoming a rapper, and began performing at open mic nights and later joined Instrumentality hip-hop group with two classmates during high school. Bennett initially performed under his birth name Chano before later changing it to Chance (shortening of first name).
In 2012, Chance released his debut mixtape 10 Day to critical acclaim and received immediate interest from record labels looking to sign him. 2013 brought with it Chance’s second mixtape Acid Rap and record labels began competing to secure his contract.
Chance the Rapper won three Grammy awards with Coloring Book, prompting an unprecedented social media response that showcased music’s ability to bring people together through its universal language of song. Kanye West and Chicago Children’s Choir performed alongside Chance in creating this moving anthem which celebrates music as an unifier.
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish Pirate Baird O’Connell first rose to fame with the release of her debut single “Ocean Eyes” in 2015. At homeschooling she was encouraged to explore her passions such as horseback riding, dance and music; later learning piano on her own before writing and producing her own songs with help from elder brother FINNEAS who is her long-term collaborator and has guided her musical career.
Billie’s songs are emotionally honest and break away from traditional musical models. She has also been candid about her struggle with Tourette syndrome – a neurological condition which causes involuntary movements and vocalizations – allowing fans to create videos showcasing her physical tics – something Billie credits as helping connect her to her audience more directly.
Happier Than Ever marks Billie’s first foray outside of pop and into new genres. The result was an intimately personal record which captures both its shifting moods and unique aspects of contemporary teenage life – marking another step in her evolution as both artist and person.
The New Indie Generation
The New Indie Generation is a playlist showcasing today’s hottest indie artists. Updated regularly with brand-new breakthrough releases, this eclectic playlist also offers something for every genre and taste imaginable – and even allows artists to submit their songs directly onto it so that fans of all ages will hear it!
Created playlists can help your music reach more listeners, build a strong fanbase and begin making money with it. They may also help promote an event you are organizing or just promote itself!
In the 2000s, an explosion of indie guitar bands emerged that challenged what it meant to be an alternative artist. Bands like Vampire Weekend pioneered an alternative rock sound fusing traditional African music and art-rock with indie rock; Silversun Pickups and Unknown Mortal Orchestra added psychedelic elements into their music.
Indie pop is becoming ever more diverse, drawing inspiration from all corners of the globe. Helado Negro blends multiple languages with analog electronics for an irresistibly engaging indie pop tune.
KCRW
KCRW Radio Station stands out as an innovative radio station offering music, news, and culture programming. KCRW has long been an integral part of Santa Monica life; offering various music shows including Morning Becomes Eclectic and Annenberg Performance Studio to name just two examples.
Radio Free Newfoundland boasts an all-day music stream and podcasts, in addition to being committed to its community by hosting regular live events throughout the year – not to be missed is their summer nights series event!
Many of our staff members began as volunteers or interns and eventually advanced through our ranks, becoming staff. Many have made tremendous contributions to shaping our playlists – providing us with an amazing place for discovering new artists and hidden gems!
The station’s programs are tailored to respond sensitively to the cultural landscape of Southern California, reflecting this in its wide-ranging original programming genres and topics coverage. Shows such as Left, Right & Center, To the Point political review show and news program The Business provide in-depth coverage of important issues while popular music/art shows such as Music From The Annex and Bookworm with Michael Silverblatt also provide comprehensive coverage.
Spotify
Spotify, a Swedish company, has revolutionized how we listen to music. Their service makes creating playlists tailored specifically for you easy – plus sharing them with others! If you want to start one yourself, simply click “Create Playlist” from either desktop or app library; once named, Spotify will provide suggestions based on that name – for instance if naming an 80s rock playlist as an example will offer songs by Twister Sister, Guns and Roses and Bon Jovi as examples!
Spotify offers many other features, including Blend. This tool analyzes both your musical tastes and those of people added to your list and then creates a playlist likely to appeal to both. This can be an enjoyable way of discovering music you both may like!
One of the best ways to promote your music on Spotify is by submitting to Alternative Music playlists curated by music taste makers and influencers. These lists draw in consumers looking for new artists they love – this can help your music reach Generation Z audiences faster than any other strategy!
David Greenwald
As a former music critic, Greenwald knows what makes a good tune. He contributes extensively to public music dialogue through writing or social media presence; additionally he updates regularly his 68-song playlist collection carefully and thoughtfully; its soundscape encompasses shoegaze, twee, synth-pop moments yet forms a coherent whole.
Los Angeles-based public radio station KCRW is one of the go-to sources for new music in America, with their Morning Becomes Eclectic show regularly premiering essential tracks. Their indie rock playlist updates multiple times weekly with indie tunes that veer towards the fringe of genre. Here, artists like Soccer Mommy, Speedy Ortiz and Calpurnia who may not yet be household names but nonetheless make waves can be discovered.
This playlist also highlights female-fronted tunes in an industry where female artists are rarely represented on festival lineups or record labels, providing a much-needed counterpoint to many male-centric playlists out there. Songs by Tennis, Eleanor Friedberger (formerly of The Fiery Furnaces) and Yonder Dale will all make appearances here.