Let's Talk Indie

[Kushin]

Hey guys, the topic title basically says it all. Let's discuss some indie music.

Personally, I like stuff by Sigur Ros, The Flaming Lips and Interpol. Mainly because they are each a different sound that doesn't try to force it's way into my head, but are just so relaxing or plain good that I choose to let them in.

An example would be Race For The Prize by The Flaming Lips


So Escapees, do you like indie music? If so, who and why?

 

[Scumpernickle]

I've never actually listened to indie music on purpose. I may have heard some but never realised it.

 

[Estocavio]

I like Rock Paper Cynic - Ive yet to find another i like though.

 

[Lullabye]

Indie music? Independent artists not signed to a major label? Isn't that just like saying " I like this because it's not popular!"?
Since when is it a freaking genre to be unrecognized by mainstream? Am I the only one who finds it sad?

 

[Cherry Cola]

Indie music? Independent artists not signed to a major label? Isn't that just like saying " I like this because it's not popular!"?
Since when is it a freaking genre to be unrecognized by mainstream? Am I the only one who finds it sad?

As a great communist once said, you are never the only one.

And by that I mean I agree with you about it being sad.

OT: I don't have any particular interest in indie music as of now. I have yet to find a band that interests me.

 

[Eleuthera]

Indie music? Independent artists not signed to a major label? Isn't that just like saying " I like this because it's not popular!"?
Since when is it a freaking genre to be unrecognized by mainstream? Am I the only one who finds it sad?

The problem is that it's apparently a musical genre now. I like plenty of unsigned artists but they're probably not "indie" by current standards, though they might be, because it's one of the most undefined genre's I've yet to encounter.

 

[Dark Knifer]

I've never actually listened to indie music on purpose. I may have heard some but never realised it.

Same here, I know some people who listen to indie music, and they are pricks, so I am a bit hesitent towards it.

 

[Lullabye]

Indie music? Independent artists not signed to a major label? Isn't that just like saying " I like this because it's not popular!"?
Since when is it a freaking genre to be unrecognized by mainstream? Am I the only one who finds it sad?

The problem is that it's apparently a musical genre now. I like plenty of unsigned artists but they're probably not "indie" by current standards, though they might be, because it's one of the most undefined genre's I've yet to encounter.

My only problem with the genre is what the actual term stands for, versus the vague meaning it's widely used for today.
After a quick dig, I think this [http://www.cracked.com/funny-1677-indie-music/] sums it up pretty nice.

 

[UnSeEn60]

Hey guys, the topic title basically says it all. Let's discuss some indie music.

Personally, I like stuff by Sigur Ros, The Flaming Lips and Interpol. Mainly because they are each a different sound that doesn't try to force it's way into my head, but are just so relaxing or plain good that I choose to let them in.

So Escapees, do you like indie music? If so, who and why?

Very much so - am a big Sigur Ros/Interpol fan. I find I've been listening to lots of Canadian indie recently because...you know...I live in Canada. Stuff like Wolf Parade, Metric, Broken Social Scene, etc. Non-Canadian, I like Vampire Weekend, Modest Mouse (if they're still considered indie), and many more.

And I agree with posters stating that indie shouldn't be considered a genre. Most 'indie' bands sound completely unique and different than others - indie shouldn't be used to describe the music, just to state that they aren't what you might call 'popular' bands.

 

[captainwolfos]

I like Death Cab for Cutie, 'cause my mates introduced me to it a while back. But apparently there's a Death Cab song in Twilight, so allow me to wave a huge 'I liked them before they sold out' banner around.

Also, Envy on the Coast, and Chasing Victory, if those come under the 'indie' label.

 

[Eleuthera]

My only problem with the genre is what the actual term stands for, versus the vague meaning it's widely used for today.
After a quick dig, I think this [http://www.cracked.com/funny-1677-indie-music/] sums it up pretty nice.

I think that means we're in agreement then.

And I agree with posters stating that indie shouldn't be considered a genre. Most 'indie' bands sound completely unique and different than others - indie shouldn't be used to describe the music, just to state that they aren't what you might call 'popular' bands.

But that's not really tue either, quite a few "indie" bands are quite popular, maybe not Michael Jackson"-huge but well known enough to be considered big acts. Though that could be dependant on the crowd you hang with and the country you live in I guess.

 

[UnSeEn60]

And I agree with posters stating that indie shouldn't be considered a genre. Most 'indie' bands sound completely unique and different than others - indie shouldn't be used to describe the music, just to state that they aren't what you might call 'popular' bands.

But that's not really tue either, quite a few "indie" bands are quite popular, maybe not Michael Jackson"-huge but well known enough to be considered big acts. Though that could be dependant on the crowd you hang with and the country you live in I guess.

Sure they're popular, but not what I would consider 'mainstream' popular. Ask 100 people on the street if they've heard of, say, Interpol, and I bet fewer than 50% would reply positively. This isn't to say that all indie bands bask in anonymity - quite a few have had popular singles or had songs featured in films. Take Modest Mouse - they've been doing stuff for years, and though they've hit mainstream popularity with a couple of songs, they aren't what you'd call 'popular' like one might call Lady Gaga 'popular'.

 

[Xanian]

According to some of my more snooty friends, I'm not into indie music. I like certain indie artists. Then they get popular and signed to bigger companies, and suddenly I no longer like indie music because I still like them.

It's kind of a misnomer. You stop liking indie once they stop being independent distributors. Certain people will have you believe that an artist turns to complete shit once they become popularly recognized. I disagree. I like an artist who does interesting and creative music, regardless of their current context.

Thus I'm not into indie music, just quirky artists.

Edit: Also, I think that my favorite getting more capital and being listened to by additional fans is a plus, rather than a minus. I don't care if I was listening first or last. I'm just happy I'm listening and it doesn't take a lot of trouble to find their latest LP.

 

[rabidmidget]

I'm quite the indie fan, my favourite indie bands are: Flaming lips (bought yoshimi battles the pink robot a couple of days ago), animal collective (also bought merriweather post pavillion a couple of days ago), Modest MOuse (favourite band OF ALL TIME), Neutral Milk Hotel, Vampire Weekend, The Shins and Franz Ferdinand (if that counts)

EDIT: also Death Cab for Cutie

As for the whole "is it a genre" thing, I would say that it is a subgenre of alternative rock, that focuses on experimentation and untraditional forms of rock music. (I'm referring to indie rock BTW, not all indie music)

 

[Eleuthera]

snip

The problem with that is of course when does something become popular, and with whom. If I go out on market day and ask 100 people if they know who Ke$ha is I'll probably get less than 10 positive replies, if I do the same thing of a Friday night going out it'll be a lot higher. On the other hand hardly any of the people on here will know who "de Dijk" are and every single one of those market day people will respond that they do know who they are. Group and location are both important.

 

[More Fun To Compute]

I like Cornershop and Tindersticks.

 

[Nazulu]

The only black metal band I like is Deathspell Omega and I know they're indie.

Here is a sample - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3KKo4SErpk

I like them because even though their riffs are hard to hear and I have no idea what they are singing, the riffs are pretty damn good and I like dark stuff.

 

[SonicKoala]

Yes, yes, and more yes. Indie music is great - granted, the term itself is a tad too ambiguous for my liking, but the bands that do get classed under the "Indie" label tend to appeal to me. I'm not really sure why I like indie music; I suppose it's just groups who aren't signed to major labels tend to have more creative freedom in their work since selling albums isn't the primary concern, thus leading to a lot of really interesting and (occasionally) awesome music.

Groups like Sonic Youth, Pavement, My Bloody Valentine, Pixies, The Flaming Lips, Dinosaur Jr. - all classic indie groups with some amazing music. However, the great thing about the indie scene is there's always fresh talent; Beach House and Surfer Blood have released two of my favourite albums so far this year, and I recently just heard No Age's Nouns and really enjoyed it.

 

[Layz92]

NIN is technically indie now.