American Roots: Indie Music

     Indie rock is a subgenre of rock music that originated in the United States, United Kingdom, and New Zealand from the 1970s to the 1980s. The term indie isn't technically a genre, but a business model used to describe independent record labels making it a very broad grouping of songs. Most agree that indie music typically sounds grittier than a track that has been produced by a major label, vocals are typically sung with a breathy voice, vocal fry, distinct vowel choices, and a thin, delicate style of singing. Indie Music as it's known today is derived from a variety of genres including pop, folk, and rock. 

Indie rock has several subgenres, ranging from synth-driven indie pop to post-punk to hip-hop, yet most independent music has some characteristics in common:   

1. DIY aesthetic: Most indie rockers do not record using advanced technologies from record labels. They pay for their own studio time or record at home. Many musicians also use unconventional instrumentation, such as jangling guitars, and may draw inspiration from a variety of genres, including folk, dance rock, and hip hop. This DIY approach not only allows indie rockers to have more creative control over their music but also gives them the freedom to experiment with different sounds and styles without the pressure of meeting commercial expectations. Additionally, this approach has helped many indie rockers establish a strong connection with their fans who appreciate the authenticity and sincerity of their music. 
2. Some lo-fi sonics: many indie rockers simply did not have access to the production resources enjoyed by major label bands. Whether bands liked it or not, this resulted in lo-fi aesthetics. Today's digital technology allows bands to enhance their recordings, but some prefer the lo-fi look for artistic reasons. Lo-fi aesthetics became popular due to the limitations of recording equipment in the past, but now it has become a deliberate choice for some artists who want to create a vintage or raw sound that adds character to their music. 
3. Tracks written by the band: Unlike most mainstream pop, country, and hip-hop performers, who may frequently rely on outside songwriters and producers, most indie rockers write and produce their own music. This allows indie rock bands to have more creative control over their sound and message and often results in a more authentic and personal listening experience for fans. Additionally, the DIY ethos of indie rock encourages experimentation and risk-taking, leading to a diverse range of musical styles within the genre. 
4. While indie rock is not recognized for being fancy, it is noted for sincere performances performed by band members rather than hired studio musicians. This allows most indie rockers to simply duplicate the sounds of their albums when performing live. The genre's emphasis on authenticity and DIY ethos also attracts a loyal fan base who appreciates the raw and unpolished sound. Indie rock has also been known to incorporate elements from various genres, making it a diverse and dynamic genre. 

here is a modern one I really like!

Indie music is a musical genre with no distinct musical style. It wasn't so much a style as it was a movement, as is the case with many genres. It does, however, take inspiration from many blues-derived genres. These genres all bleed into one another and create subset genres. These include- 

A. Pop- Indie music takes elements such as emphasis on harmonies, arrangements, and songcraft from pop music. 

• Pop music focuses on melody and hooks, conventional songcraft and presentation, and a tendency to be derivative of older popular music. 

B. Folk - Indie music takes elements such as lo-fi acoustic ballads to lush electric rockers from folk music. Most Notably complicated instrumentation, multi-voiced harmonies, and lyricism.   

• It is characterized by simple scales, sharp keys, and simple time signatures.  Folk music often tackles “taboo” topics like oppression, politics, depression, and war. Instrumentations in folk music commonly involve violins, acoustic guitars, whistles, flutes, mandolins, accordion, etc. 

C.  Rock- Indie music takes Rocks' ability to explore sounds, emotions, and lyrical subjects that don't appeal to large, mainstream audiences most of the instrumentation is also the same. 

• It is distinguished by strong lyrics and instrumentation, typically about love, sex, drugs, rebellion, protest, and criminality. Rock music is often comprised of electric guitar, bass guitar, drums, and occasionally keyboards or additional instruments. Rock music frequently employs a fast tempo, a 4/4-time signature, a verse-chorus structure, and lyrical hooks. 

    

Popular Early Indie Music 

 Sonic Youth (1981-2011) - 

Sonic Youth came from the New York City no-wave art and music scene as one of the most influential noise-rock bands that experimented with classic rock guitar, becoming one of the earliest indie rock groups. 

Pixies (1986) -

    The Pixies were one of the most influential indie bands of the late 1980s, driving a huge movement in mainstream music toward alternative rock, which dominated the 1990s. 

Works Cited

Branco, Holly. “Indie Music: The Complete Breakdown of the Most Diverse and Well-Loved Genres of Music.” Magnetic Magazine, 8 Aug. 2022, www.magneticmag.com/2022/08/what-is-indie-music/.

“Indie Pop Music Genre Overview.” AllMusic, www.allmusic.com/style/indie-pop-ma0000004494.

Masterclass. “Indie Rock Music: History and Artists of Independent Rock.” Masterclass.com, 7 June 2021, www.masterclass.com/articles/indie-rock-music-guide.

Timberg, Scott. “The Life and Death of the Indie-Rock Heyday.” Vox, Vox, 25 Oct. 2017, www.vox.com/culture/2017/10/25/16070928/peak-indie-rock-1997.

“What Is Folk Music? Characteristics, Artists & Examples.” Promusicianhub.com, 4 Nov. 2021, promusicianhub.com/what-is-folk-music/#:~:text=For%20instance%2C%20traditional%20American%20folk%20music%20has%20the. Accessed 31 Mar. 2023.