Grunge music emerged in suburbs and cities alike with its distinct wail. Comprised of distorted guitars and emotive voices, these bands provided a voice of rebellion against mainstream society.
Indie music encompasses a diverse selection of genres that explore an expansive spectrum of sounds and influences, pushing boundaries to inspire artists and establish trends that challenge status quos.
Origins
Indie and alternative music have two distinct histories and genres. Indie stands for independent while alternative refers to music that’s outside the mainstream. Originally, “indie” referred to the DIY ethos which emerged during punk rock’s emergence during the 1970s; later becoming generically associated with bands who weren’t signed with major record labels.
Alternative music is a broad genre that encompasses various styles of music. It is distinguished by unique songwriting and experimental sounds that often defy mainstream trends while emphasizing creative freedom – many of the world’s top artists today fall under this genre of music.
Grunge, or alternative rock music that emerged in the leaf-strewn suburbs of mid-sized cities during the late ’80s and ’90s, blended elements from punk rock, metal and punk with melancholic lyrics that often touched upon themes such as lost innocence or melancholy. Grunge was influential enough that other bands soon followed suit – including Nirvana and Pearl Jam – eventually making up their own genre.
Although grunge has since evolved into other subgenres of indie music, its influence on it remains undiminished today. Since its initial popularity it has given birth to sub-genres such as psychedelic indie, shoegaze, dream pop and synth-pop; while indie folk has seen some sub-genres emerge such as Americana, Neo Traditional and Progressive Country.
Indie music, with all its many influences and styles, is typically classified as alternative due to its distinct sound that stands apart from mainstream culture. Furthermore, its popularity has contributed to an explosion of indie culture that includes fashion, art and film.
Styles
Alternative music has an innovative style that defies genre boundaries. This form of musical expression promotes independence and experimentation while not adhering to any particular soundscape – rather being defined by how its sounds translate to emotion or theme. Alternative music remains an influential form that continues to flourish today’s culture.
Alternative music was initially defined as music not released through major record labels during the 1970s and 80s; a response against commercialization of mainstream music. Since then, however, the term has expanded to encompass various styles including post-punk, new wave, grunge and college rock with independent production and signature sounds such as loud guitar riffs.
Although some bands achieved limited mainstream recognition, most relied heavily on word-of-mouth promotion to achieve success. The 1990s marked an important turning point for alternative music when Nirvana burst out of Seattle grunge scene with Nevermind to become the first alternative band to achieve significant crossover success; other successful artists include Jane’s Addiction who blended hard rock with punk music; as well as Billy Corgan-led Smashing Pumpkins who continued this genre’s legacy.
As the genre developed, its artists emphasized authenticity and honesty in their lyrics, unlike most mainstream artists who catered to popular culture for financial gain. Instead, their songs explored themes like depression, drug addiction, personal hardships as well as social issues such as sexism and racism.
Indie music continued its expansion during the 2010s with folk and country acts like The Lumineers and Mumford and Sons; electronic musicians like Four Tet and Caribou; as well as hip-hop acts such as Drake and Frank Ocean experimenting with unique styles that were critically acclaimed.
Alternative music has undergone tremendous expansion over time, yet has retained its signature sound that draws influence from multiple cultures. Indie music stands out among other types of music with its independent ethos and resistance to commercial trends making it a vital component of contemporary culture.
Influences
Alternative musicians draw inspiration from many sources, such as rock, punk, folk and electronic music. Additionally, they experiment with sound and lyrics in order to develop unique styles within each genre and are also affected by current events and cultural shifts.
Grunge music became increasingly popular during the ’90s. Bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden used raw and emotional performances to influence alternative music and connect with their audiences; inspiring listeners with stories that spoke directly to what life meant as young adults.
Grunge music had a profound effect on alternative music by giving rise to an authentic, independent style of music and showing the world that you don’t need major label artists to make an impactful statement in music – which made alternative more accessible for regular consumers.
Many indie musicians have moved towards mainstream success without betraying their original vision and maintaining an independent ethos. Artists such as Weezer have achieved commercial success without betraying their artistic integrity.
Some artists use music as a platform to voice their political beliefs and advance social change. By raising awareness about important issues and encouraging their fans to take action, artists such as Radiohead, Arcade Fire, Kendrick Lamar and Rage Against the Machine have all used their songs for activism purposes through music.
Indie music is an expansive genre that encompasses a range of styles and sounds. It celebrates creativity and independence and forms an essential component of the music scene. Many listeners find pleasure in alternative/indie music because listening can improve their mood, boost productivity, relieve stress, make them happier, less stressed out and more focused. Engaging with new music stimulates cognitive performance which in turn increases wellbeing and reduces anxiety levels.
Trends
While most alternative music is guitar-driven, some artists use an electronic sound – with synthesizers and drum machines creating more contemporary, modern tracks – which may appeal to younger generations who value individuality and experimentation in music. This style may also be associated with avant-garde forms of alternative music that appeals more experimentally than most.
Indie rock has thrived for decades, evolving with time into more experimental and non-traditional sounds. The 1990s was especially pivotal to this evolution of alternative music with groups such as Smashing Pumpkins and Radiohead leading the charge – while throughout that decade indie rock continued its path toward becoming its own genre.
As of 2024, indie/alternative continues to thrive as an inclusive scene that embraces diversity and experimentation. Many of its biggest names – The Libertines, Franz Ferdinand, MGMT and Chromeo among them – remain active within this genre, while new acts are taking inspiration from past acts – Two Shell and Jockstrap are just two acts that take inspiration from this genre; both offer youthful listeners an enjoyable, fresh alternative to club culture that has come to dominate contemporary mainstream music.
Recent years have also witnessed a comeback of classic ska and punk music in this genre, with acts like The Specials and Undertones still performing while newer bands like Fever 333 becoming widely-renowned by incorporating these influences into their sound.
Glo-fi, or dreamwave, is another trend in alternative music that exudes dreaminess and nostalgia, recalling pre-digital dance music of the 80s and 90s with its touch of whimsy. Popular examples of glo-fi include Nite Jewel, Neon Indian, Washed Out and Toro y Moi as artists popularizing this style.
Alternative music has evolved over time into an influential genre that celebrates diversity while inspiring a younger audience across the globe.