secret_Toad

I have never really had a clean definition on what indie is.
When i was growing up i always thought it was just a band that was independent and was not signed under a major record label, but now I hear bands like interpol being indie. so do i like indie music or not?
The bands i like include
The killers, Interpol, Muse, Radiohead, the whitest boy alive, the postal service, death cab for cutie, red hot chili peppers, the rakes, we smoke fags ect.
Also what is a indie person?
I always tried to dress like my favorite bands so sometimes i'll wear some button shirts, blazers, vest, or a plain old t shirts.
but like now i heard that indie people are hipsters that shop at drift stores, are uneducated and dont eat meat.
is this true?

Viat

It's changed from meaning a band not signed to a major label to a band that's out of the mainstream sound and focus more on innovation then commercialism. There's no real sound that defines them either, there's plenty of sub-genres that make up indie music.

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I, Brian

Also remember some of the indie labels got pretty big - Mute and 4AD come to mind for starters.

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ArtVandoley

It is hard to define Indie. Its basically bands that aren't out looking for attention, or money, or getting on MTV. The sound doesn't define Indie. Its hard to call Indie a genre.

Also, "indie" is becoming sort of a clothing style. But theres a fine line between "indie" and "hipster."
You sound a lot like me, I guess i dress sort of indie. I wear blazers, button down shirts, skinny jeans too. Its really about doing what you like, not doing it cause other people do it or wearing a certain brand label to be cool

Mav 2

always dressed elegant u know blazers and that u must not be confused with Emo, completely different, indie bands are basic and original, for current Mtv bands they are heroes lets say arcade fire pixies flamming lips joy division pavement i'm not shure about smashing pumpkins, but they arent punk so ...

Interpol have a peculiar convination that made them super famous and they own everything to some bands

indie is undefined they are composed by heavy like black keys
or garage like razorlight and the strokes
geeky death cab arcade fire magnetic fields
electronic and a sound that i cant identify are the fred perry bands like silversun pickups the great northern or dios malos \/// but indie has taken the very best of the garage bands the glamorous and old bands and the protopunk thats indie for me

aftertheiceboy

Now I think, you can compare Indie music as Pop-Rock alternative music. In the past It was because, there was small Label called Indiependent Records or something like and took rock bands, and since that a new way of rock music, sustained in distorted and quality guitars grew up!

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Jay1987

Woah - this all so confusing!!!
I don't think that clearcut genres of music exist anymore - there are so many bands that have started out as independent 'indie' bands who have then gone on to gain a cult following that has grown and grown to the extent that the once percieved indie band is now main stream and is being played on radio one and is signed to a major record label.

Alot of people talk about bands selling out but if an indie bands popularity increases and pushes them into the mainstream its not really their fault.

Ace_Aso

The general rule I follow is this:

If a band is on an independent label, they are of course Indie, if said band moves to a major label they become Alternative Rock.

Similarly, if the band moves back onto an independent label, they become Indie once again.

If a band starts out as a major label band, I consider them Rock, but they become Indie if the move to an independent label, and alternative if they move from that independent label to a major one.

Hope this makes sense.

chokychoky

How about Do It Yourself matters? from creating 'til distributing our music products?....

CanadianPunkPodcast

our podcast is about not labeling the process, and making great music that you enjoy to reach the masses without compromising your morals and values...

thats what indie is in my eyes.

Ace_Aso

This coming from a spammer who confuses punk with mall-emo.

johnkrux

indie doesnt mean a sound... its pretty much a band who is below the mainstream market...indie can be put into any genre... the problem is a lot of people screw up this meaning and now its taking on a different a different meaning

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Richardthemod

I think indie is music brought from a band who have done it all for themselves. A band who have had an idea and stuck true to it

cmb1888

I always think of indie as bands from Manchester who play lots of jangly guitars - or 95% of any of the bands featured in NME (I exclude primarily their strange flirtation with My Chemical Romance some months ago). Of course this would currently include Jay-Z's 'Wonderwall' preformance at Glastonbury......mmmm

However the above description has served me well and I don't think there is a need to think any further about it

Oh -and The White Stripes are alternative - it says so on my ipod and I trust it

I think that sorts it all

SD4LIFE

pretty much, i dont think it should be considered a genre of music, just a term for the bands that kick ass and dont need a label !! haha