why is indie rock so popular?

musicismylife78

It seems its like the most popular music in the world right now/

I turn on the tube and Band of Horses are providing the soundtrack for a car commercial.

It reminds me of Liz Claibornes 94 fashion wardrobes of "grunge" models with flannel clothes.

Why is this music resonating with so many people right now?

You could name any number of bands that are really at the apex of the mainstream music scene Death Cab, Modest Mouse, Arcade Fire, Damien Rice etc...

throwingcopper

because people are tired of hearing kelly clarkson.

boroff89

I know for me, it got to a point where a bulk of the mainstream stuff sounded exactly the same. Even bands I have liked in the past seem to just be recreating what they've already done (see: Tool, RHCP. . .). With this "indie" scene, there are bands like Modest Mouse, The Shins, and Arcade Fire making music that doesn't sound like anything else out there. They incorporate different instruments. They structure their songs differently. It is very refreshing.

mookeywrench

You're seeing them in commercials so much because first off they need to pay their bills. And second, it's pretty much indie music's only mainstream outlet for people to hear their music.

People are enjoying indie music so much because right now mainstream music is glossy and based on vocal talent, vocal talent, and more vocal talent. Indie music is nearly opposite of what is going on in the mainstream and people are latching on to that aspect since its very hard to come by in the mainstream. So wether or not these indie bands are warranted for the label of being masterminds, they are going to be called masterminds because they are not playing boring music paired with vocal talent.

JSBE

because most of it is good?

but i would hardly call the bands you listed as being at the apex of the mainstream music scene.

just my opinion.

Jeremy1012

Indie is not a fucking genre!!!!

red mos

The bulk of the alternative new rock scene just sounds the same. Every band from Fall out boy to Hawthorne heights to My chemical romance ect. It all sounds the same even though they are all different bands but they share the same look and sound. Don't get me wrong Grunge did too, but these emo nu metal rock bands or whatever genre they are called just are not my cup of tea.

With indie bands, I am finding more bands that suit my style of sound and yeah the grunge- post grunge sound never died for me. I just find myself liking bands of that style or ones who like to explore with sound best.
Most importantly though, bands on indie labels or (the ones who do it themselves through myspace) are doing what they want. they are creating the music they want to make, without the corporate backbone of a major label there to make the music sound that lines their pockets with millions of dollars.
Another great thing about indie bands or smaller not well known bands is there could be an opportunity for a job in the music biz with these bands once they do take off nationally. That's not a huge factor for popularity but I do want to go into the music biz and be a manger/ tour manager/ roadie whatever, so maybe meeting and picking up on these bands could lead to an opportunity. Wishful thinking anyway.

pearljam_addiction

JSBE wrote:

because most of it is good?

but i would hardly call the bands you listed as being at the apex of the mainstream music scene.

just my opinion.

Everything i wanted to say!

pjfan020

everyone says that they listen to it because it's so different but to me every band has a singer with a shaky voice, jangly guitar parts and decent yet typical lyrics. I guess I just don't get it.

Blackeyedangel

hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion hipinion... and some more hipinion

Obi Once

What makes music Indie? Is it the label they're signed to or a sound?

JordyWordy

does the word "indie" mean anything anymore?

i would have never called Arcade Fire indie....maybe "Indie" has gotten to the point that the word "grunge" got to ....doesnt mean now what it originally did etc

personally my favourite grunge bands are Puddle Of Mudd, Creed, Nickelback, and my favourite indie band is Pearl Jam. oooh and that old Indie band "Television".

Strangest Tribe

being different for the sake of being different is not exactly different... it's indie....

or is it New Wave?? Punk Rock???? Grunge???


Alternative???



ugh

red mos

I always looked at the word "indie" being a shortened form of the word independent record label- well we all already know thats the case.
Somewhere down the line I think bands that are on independent record labels just became known as "indie" in a genre labeling of the music scene, that's my take anyway.

I really don't understand the difference between major label and indie label except that major labels are all about making money and sometimes that requires the band altering their image/ music to a case of sometimes even being labeled a sellout.

That wonderful band from Texas known as the Toadies is a perfect example of a major label fucking a band over. The album that was supposed to be their 2nd record (It's called Feeler) well what I have heard of it was very good showed real music growth from Rubberneck. Any way, Their lead singer now goes with indie labels because they can get major label treatment while still having the ability to create the music they want to make and they still own their music too.
One hard and frustrating thing for me regarding indie bands is getting the word of their music out there, it seems that even with national exposure people continue to ignore it at least on here that's ok though we all like different things and their is so much music and so little time to explore all of it.


One question though: Do bands make more money on an independent label or does it just depend on the popularity of the band and how well the album sales?

Blackeyedangel

dudes, I already told you all. hipinion.

I don't think looking to this place is going to give you the best answer. You could find a much better answer by just looking up indie culture on wikipedia.

pjoasisrule

Heres the important rules for breaking up
Don't put off breaking up when you know you want to
Prolonging the situation only makes it worse
Tell him honestly, simply, kindly, but firmly
Don't make a big production
Don't make up an elaborate story
This will help you avoid a big tear jerking scene
If you wanna date other people say so
Be prepared for the boy to feel hurt and rejected
Even if you've gone together for only a short time,
And haven't been too serious,
There's still a feeling of rejection
When someone says she preferres the company of others
To your exclusive company,
But if you're honest, and direct,
And avoid making a flowery emotional speech when you brake the news,
The boy will respect you for your frankness,
And honestly he'll appreciate the kind of straight forward manner
In which you told him your decision
Unless he's a real jerk or a cry baby you will remain friends

I'm head of the class
I'm popular
I'm a quarter back
I'm popular
My mom says I'm a catch
I'm popular
I'm never last picked
I got a cheerleader chick

Being attractive is the most important thing there is
If you wanna catch the biggest fish in your pond
You have to be as attractive as possible
Make sure to keep your hair spotless and clean
Wash it at least every two weeks
Once every two weeks
And if you see Johnny football hero in the hall
Tell him he played a great game
Tell him you like his article in the newspaper

I'm the party star
I'm popular
I've got my own car
I'm popular
I'll never get caught
I'm popular
I make football bets
I'm a teachers pet.

I propose we support a one month limit on going steady
I think It will keep you both more able to deal with weird situation
And get to know more people
I think if you're ready to go out with Johnny
Now's the time to tell him about your one month limit
He wont mind he'll appreciate your fresh look on dating
And once you've dated someone else you can date him again
I'm sure he'll like it
Everyone will appreciate it
You so novel what a good idea
You can keep your time to your self
You don't need date insurance
You can go out with whoever you want to
Every boy, every boy, in the whole world could be yours
If you'll just listen to my plan
THE TEENAGE GUIDE TO POPULARITY

chikevin

pjoasisrule wrote:

Heres the important rules for breaking up
Don't put off breaking up when you know you want to
Prolonging the situation only makes it worse
Tell him honestly, simply, kindly, but firmly
Don't make a big production
Don't make up an elaborate story
This will help you avoid a big tear jerking scene
If you wanna date other people say so
Be prepared for the boy to feel hurt and rejected
Even if you've gone together for only a short time,
And haven't been too serious,
There's still a feeling of rejection
When someone says she preferres the company of others
To your exclusive company,
But if you're honest, and direct,
And avoid making a flowery emotional speech when you brake the news,
The boy will respect you for your frankness,
And honestly he'll appreciate the kind of straight forward manner
In which you told him your decision
Unless he's a real jerk or a cry baby you will remain friends

I'm head of the class
I'm popular
I'm a quarter back
I'm popular
My mom says I'm a catch
I'm popular
I'm never last picked
I got a cheerleader chick

Being attractive is the most important thing there is
If you wanna catch the biggest fish in your pond
You have to be as attractive as possible
Make sure to keep your hair spotless and clean
Wash it at least every two weeks
Once every two weeks
And if you see Johnny football hero in the hall
Tell him he played a great game
Tell him you like his article in the newspaper

I'm the party star
I'm popular
I've got my own car
I'm popular
I'll never get caught
I'm popular
I make football bets
I'm a teachers pet.

I propose we support a one month limit on going steady
I think It will keep you both more able to deal with weird situation
And get to know more people
I think if you're ready to go out with Johnny
Now's the time to tell him about your one month limit
He wont mind he'll appreciate your fresh look on dating
And once you've dated someone else you can date him again
I'm sure he'll like it
Everyone will appreciate it
You so novel what a good idea
You can keep your time to your self
You don't need date insurance
You can go out with whoever you want to
Every boy, every boy, in the whole world could be yours
If you'll just listen to my plan
THE TEENAGE GUIDE TO POPULARITY

i know you were being sarcastic, but that's just damn quality.

Zoso

it's popular because it's subtle and it's not in the mainstream to begin with anyway. I think a lot of people catch on to indie bands but when they become big they dont like them anymore. I like bands like spoon, band of horses, arcade fire, wilco because of this fact. They mix soft tones with heavy tones, aren't afraid to use acoustic guitars

Zoso

and because of the OC! damn that show made modest mouse etc. known :(

soulsinging

Blackeyedangel wrote:

dudes, I already told you all. hipinion.

I don't think looking to this place is going to give you the best answer. You could find a much better answer by just looking up indie culture on wikipedia.

ok, ill bite. what is hipinion?

ajedigecko

because there is over 1 billion people that live there.

red mos

pjoasisrule wrote:

Heres the important rules for breaking up
Don't put off breaking up when you know you want to
Prolonging the situation only makes it worse
Tell him honestly, simply, kindly, but firmly
Don't make a big production
Don't make up an elaborate story
This will help you avoid a big tear jerking scene
If you wanna date other people say so
Be prepared for the boy to feel hurt and rejected
Even if you've gone together for only a short time,
And haven't been too serious,
There's still a feeling of rejection
When someone says she preferres the company of others
To your exclusive company,
But if you're honest, and direct,
And avoid making a flowery emotional speech when you brake the news,
The boy will respect you for your frankness,
And honestly he'll appreciate the kind of straight forward manner
In which you told him your decision
Unless he's a real jerk or a cry baby you will remain friends

I'm head of the class
I'm popular
I'm a quarter back
I'm popular
My mom says I'm a catch
I'm popular
I'm never last picked
I got a cheerleader chick

Being attractive is the most important thing there is
If you wanna catch the biggest fish in your pond
You have to be as attractive as possible
Make sure to keep your hair spotless and clean
Wash it at least every two weeks
Once every two weeks
And if you see Johnny football hero in the hall
Tell him he played a great game
Tell him you like his article in the newspaper

I'm the party star
I'm popular
I've got my own car
I'm popular
I'll never get caught
I'm popular
I make football bets
I'm a teachers pet.

I propose we support a one month limit on going steady
I think It will keep you both more able to deal with weird situation
And get to know more people
I think if you're ready to go out with Johnny
Now's the time to tell him about your one month limit
He wont mind he'll appreciate your fresh look on dating
And once you've dated someone else you can date him again
I'm sure he'll like it
Everyone will appreciate it
You so novel what a good idea
You can keep your time to your self
You don't need date insurance
You can go out with whoever you want to
Every boy, every boy, in the whole world could be yours
If you'll just listen to my plan
THE TEENAGE GUIDE TO POPULARITY

that's a great song, haven't heard that one in forever. Actually Nada Surf's first record is pretty solid. I'll have to listen to it later. I think this one Hi/LOW went out of print.

FinsburyParkCarrots

I think a lot of people are turned off by low note blues-based or chromatic riffs, let alone metal tritones, purely because of their marked propensity to cliche. The minor blues pentatonic and the overstated posturings of a lot of traditional rock seems to many people to be dumb, and the music of a lot of indie artists, with its emphasis on melodic, chordal composition, and lyricism that isn't stuck with miserablism but can embrace comedy and irony, appeals and connects with people looking for something new.

Thus endeth the sermon, brethren.

glasshouse

FinsburyParkCarrots wrote:

I think a lot of people are turned off by low note blues-based or chromatic riffs, let alone metal tritones, purely because of their marked propensity to cliche. The minor blues pentatonic and the overstated posturings of a lot of traditional rock seems to many people to be dumb, and the music of a lot of indie artists, with its emphasis on melodic, chordal composition, and lyricism that isn't stuck with miserablism but can embrace comedy and irony, appeals and connects with people looking for something new.

you took the words right out of my mouth

genie

radiohead33 wrote:

Why is this music resonating with so many people right now?

because it's a "cool" and because indie kids are "cool" and their haircuts are one of the "coolest"

oh, i think i haven't mentioned this word enough in here....this word "c...........
























cunts!!

elmer

Shortly after hearing, I feel myself transported
To a different universe, its contours are ruled and picked
I know about this life, its details are all sorted
Its very much like a questionnaire, with boxes to be ticked

SomethingCreative

throwingcopper wrote:

because people are tired of hearing kelly clarkson.

exactly....say what you want about the "scene," but some of these bands are pretty damn good

genie

SomethingCreative wrote:

exactly....say what you want about the "scene," but some of these bands are pretty damn good

actually, yeah i've been dissing the scene so much that i might end up looking like i hate indie, but i don't. i think some of the music they produce is awesome

intodeep

Well Duh it is because Pitchfork says they are good

I'm drawn to a lot of bands that are labeled indie because it seems a lot of the singers are singing about stuff i can relate too and actually care a little about what they are saying. I also think much of the music is interesting.

LikeAnOpeningBandForTheSun

Indie music isnt very popular here. for every indie fan there are about 20 retarded Seether radio rock fans.

Resin42

The first place I ever heard "Indie" being used was The Chart Show which was on British TV on a Saturday morning in the late 80s. They would have a segment for the Indie chart which at that time obviously meant independant labels but a lot of the bands that were coming through had a vaguely similar kind of sound. Now it seems to apply to every British band that plays quirky rock songs with jangly guitars or anyone doing awkward, angular punk with a Yorkshire accent. Not sure what passes for Indie in the States these days though.