{Genre Research

Indie

Indie music, also known as independent music, is when bands take an independent approach to recording and publishing music. Rather than using a major record label who creates artists’ music, an indie artist creates their own music. This often gives music a raw acoustic sound rather than being generic.

What is indie music?

During the 1950’s and 60’s in the UK indie music was struggling as independent record labels were failing against the dominance of major record labels. After being around for a long time, these independent labels manage to break through in the late 70’s and then out came the UK indie chart. Since this indie music continued to grow and is only becoming more and more popular now.

Indie Origin

The ‘do it yourself’ attitude gives the music a less commercial sound that perhaps other songs would have.

Indie bands tend to either be rock, pop or dance.

Often acoustic songs. Intimately revealing lyrics. The indie music has often been linked to

the sub genre emo, this means the music is usually emotional.

Generic Features

As indie bands struggled to establish themselves before the 80’s, the first indie band I can find are Velvet Underground, who formed in New York. Over time they had a total of 8 members, the best known being Lou Reed and John Cale. During their period active 1964-73 they released and titled ‘The Velvet Underground and Nico’ which was named the 13th best album of all time by Rolling Stone. Artist Andy Warhol was their manager, and in 1999 some former members made tribute songs to him. They continued to have reunions until 2009.Key Band– Before 1970’s

Velvet Underground (1964)

The Who are considered by many to be an indie rock band, though they formed in 1964, they were prominent in the 70’s. These 4 are best known for their electrical live performances, were they some times destroyed instruments. In the UK and US they have had a huge 27 top forty singles and in many ways the style of music for future indie bands. With many multi-platinum bands and more they had it all.

Key Band – 1970’s

The Who (1964-1982)

At this point independent record labels were really breaking onto the scene, and The Smiths were one of those bands. They fell into the pop niche of indie, and have been called the most important one of these bands to immerge from the 80’s. Famous solo artist Morrissey is lead vocalist of the band, who formed in Manchester. Interestingly they had a huge following, yet had no single in the UK top 10. This may have been due to them being on an independent record label.

Key Band – 1980’s

The Smiths (1982-1987)

Oasis are a huge band that were on an independent label, playing indie rock. They formed in Manchester in 1991 and were most prominent in the 90’s, although they didn’t officially break up till 2009. The two most famous members are brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher, who were for many reasons the band’s demise in the end. For they had constant feuds. The band were very successful with many chart singles and albums. My personal favourite album is ‘(What's the story) Morning glory?’.

Key Band 1990’s

Oasis (1991-2009)

By now, there are a lot of indie bands, but the biggest of the noughties has to be Arctic Monkeys. This band in many ways took the batten from Oasis, after forming on a suburb of Sheffield. Their debut album ‘Whatever People Say I Am – That’s What I’m Not’ surpassed Oasis’ album as being the fastest selling debut album in the UK in history. They were using new media at this point and climbed to fame via the internet originally.

Key Band – Noughties (2000-2009)

Arctic Monkeys (2002-Present)

Bands Prominent Now

The Kooks

The Killers

We Are Scientists

Bloc Party

The Strokes

Maximo Park

Kings of Leon

Snow Patrol

The Script

Instruments in indie, particularly in indie rock, are usually acoustic or electronic based. The common structure is guitar, bass, drums and keyboard – with emphasis on the keyboard.

Instruments

Guitar Drums KeyboardBass

(Noel Gallagher)

(Gordon Moakes)

(Matt Helders) (Vadim Pruzhanov)

Vocals in indie are known for being emotive, and usually about love. In indie pop in particular vocals are described as having long droning rifts, distortion and feedback

Vocals

Notable indie vocalists in indie music:

Gary Lightbody – Snow Patrol

Regine Chassagne – The Arcade Fire

Rod Stewart

While indie was always around, it was not always favoured. In the past indie has paled away into insignificance, and a lot of people would play indie style music on an major record label. It is only recently indie has been able to compete as the independent record labels are gaining more prominence in the industry. The 90’s was a particular dry spell for indie music but the introduction of the internet in every household helped get indie back on its feet for the noughties.

Thanks to the internet, there are now more indie bands than ever and it is probably the preferred genre of music.

History

Memorable Albums

Whatever people say I am, I am not (Arctic Monkeys)

Eyes Open (Snow Patrol)

The Velvet Underground & Nico