Indie Music
Indie music (independent music) is produced independently from major commercial record labels. The term originally referred to independent record labels but has evolved to describe a musical aesthetic and ethos that values artistic freedom, DIY ethics, and non-mainstream approaches.
Origins & History
Indie emerged from punk and post-punk in the late 1970s-early 1980s with labels like Rough Trade and Sub Pop. The 1980s college rock scene fed into 1990s alternative. 2000s indie featured bands like The Strokes and Arctic Monkeys. Modern indie encompasses diverse styles from lo-fi to chamber pop.
United States, United Kingdom
early 1980s
Musical Characteristics
- •DIY (do-it-yourself) ethos
- •Lo-fi or intimate production aesthetics
- •Non-traditional song structures
- •Emphasis on authenticity over polish
- •Diverse influences and experimentation
- •Independent label or self-release
Subgenres
Indie rock
Indie pop
Lo-fi
Chamber pop
Dream pop
Shoegaze
Math rock
Related Genres
Indie Music Songs
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