indie Simply put, "indie" means independent from the mainstream. While some may say that a fan of indie culture, otherwise known as an "indie kid" or "hipster," is merely a cultural elitist in an ironic t-shirt, others would argue that being indie means embracing a noble set of values--namely authenticity, experimentalism, anti-commercialism, DIY and appreciation of the world beyond American pop culture. While indie enthusiasts do sometimes adopt a "cooler than thou" posture when bragging about, er...discussing their obscure interests, the overall attitude is admirable--"it's cool to be different." Although the indie label has been applied to politics (the Green Party), fashion (threadless.com), magazines (BUST) and even computer game companies (Rockstar Games), the label most likely originated in the music and film industries. Ostensibly, indie rock does not have the financial support and is therefore not subject to the control of a major record label. Whether or not indie music has a specific style: new wave revivalist, Britpop jangly guitars, etc., is not agreed upon. According to urbandictionary.com, indie rock, such as Modest Mouse, Le Tigre and Stellastar, evolved from "lo-fi" experimental 1960's rock, the 1970's punk scene and the "alternative" rock movement of the early 90's. After the mainstream adopted "alternative" music such as No Doubt and REM, indie rock became the new alternative. Like indie music, indie films are not tied to a major movie studio; therefore, they are typically more experimental and cutting edge. Independent movie making gained popularity in the late 1990's when major advances in digital video technology made filmmaking more affordable, allowing individuals to finance their films without corporations. Not surprisingly, big chain stores like Barnes & Noble don't typically carry music and films produced by independent artists, therefore fans must spread the indie gospel on their own. This may explain the borderline obsessive collecting and cataloging of hard to find records and videos that are so rampant in indie circles. In addition, fans rely heavily on the web to promote their favorite underground projects and artists. As you can imagine, with so many passionate fans of indie culture, who and what is truly "indie" is often in dispute. Musicians, such as Avril Lavigne and The Killers, are sometimes accused of being manufactured by record companies to look indie to capitalize on the credibility of the genre. Others who were once legitimately independent, such as The Strokes and Interpol, are later accused of selling out--trading artistic independence for commercial gain--when they sign with a major record label. Thankfully, not all indie artists sacrifice their reputation when they get rich and famous. Peter Jackson, for example, went from being a low-budget horror moviemaker to the acclaimed director of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy without losing the admiration of his indie fans. As you can see, individuals tend to prioritize different aspects of the indie label. Some require a total rejection of mainstream commercialism, while others emphasize authenticity and experimentalism. And certainly, there are those who think being indie simply requires a rare record collection and a haughty attitude.

Comments

[deadale]

indie music is fine..
it's upbeat and dancy, cool!

[celly]

I guess I would kind of be indie. I hadn't ever thought about that, but the description (and the comments below) seem to fit me; especially the part about just plain being different. I certainly do have some odd tastes in style, music, and pretty much everything else. I love wearing witty shirts or DIY stuff.

[Nikki]

I never knew what indie music was

[Livverz]

I LOVE COFFEE! But starbucks is expensive... haha.

[Livverz]

the counterculture Indie did start off from the music, like punk, or any other teen-based label.

I love Indie music, and I love to wear organic and artsy shirts that express me. I love to also make my own shirts, and love white shoes so I can personalize them with the help of a sharpie. I also discovered an amazing pair of glasses that reminded me of Buddy Holly, and wear plaid shirts because of him too. haha.

But now that everyone else in my school and town and the cities around it has caught on to plaid shirts, thick black glasses and so on and so forth... it bugs the hell out of me. They're doing it to conform, I did it because it fit me and my quirky self.

Oh well... they'll get tired of it soon. :]

[Hannah]

Well, indie is hard to explain. While I am very into the indie rock and I make independent films, I would hardly call myself indie. Or... really, anyone, indie, unless I'm referring to their work. For instance, I would say that the Gaslight Anthem is an indie rock band, but I wouldn't say that the members as people are indie. And I only wouldn't do that because indie can mean a LOT of things, and isn't really one style. That and I'm not really that into labeling myself. :p Too much work. I've met people into the indie scene whose appearance other people might consider "boho", "retro", and sometimes even "preppy". And while I do fit a lot of the requirements stated in the definition above us, I consider indie more of an art term than something to call a person.

P.S., it's actually sort of hard being into obscure stuff, like when I put on an awesome Broken Social Scene and my friends are all "What the hell is that, Hannah? Can you put on something that we know?" or when I want to see a movie and when I tell people they want to see it and they say: "Huh. Never heard of it." and then I usually don't end up seeing it. XD Don't get me wrong, a lot of mainstream stuff is AWESOME. Who's to say that me listening to Big Star means I cant' listen to Prince too?

[Your name here]

Ah, you people crack me up. By stating "I'm indie!" you are going against what the entire subculture stands for. Nowadays, everyone is 'indie' or a 'hipster', or what have you. And if you feel the need to tell every person you meet this, then you aren't indie. In fact, no one is indie! Indie is a genre of music, although the term "Alternative" is what I prefer to call it. Now, I'm not saying that if a bunch of people with my same thought join up and raise our fists in the air, we can abolish all labels. Because that's just not true. Labels are a part of our society and we just need to learn to ignore them.

[abigail]

It is so funny to me how the persona of 'indie' is supposed to be independant, and to be different from other people, but hel-lo? All these people saying they are indie, it just proves that it is not origanol/different, because millions of other people are self-proclaiming that title too, which does not make it special at all.
But I do say, I am in love with indie rock, and I think indie should just be kept as a type of music, not yet another blunt label people put on themselves/each other.
It is just stupid to me, and that is why i never label myself as something. It is just a cycle of personas that people try to take the title of.
Personally to me, Labels are to sell to people who can't find their own inner-self personality. Labels are just the easy way out of saying 'I am who I am', and again, it is stupid. Labels are made by the media, and people follow them, and I can't stand it anymore.
Wouldn't it be way more easier to say 'Hey, I'm So-And-So, and i like it' than saying that you are emo, or ghetto, or goth, or preppy,ect.

[Lin]

Alright here's the thing, people will label anyone and anything. I don't care how much of an "individual" you are, you will be labeled and stereotyped. It's basic human psychology, we look for similarities in people (such as skin colour, clothing, taste in music, ect.) and use our past knowledge of this group of people to see if we wish to interact with them. By nature we are racist, sexist, all of that. So will people stop trying to be so PC and just embrace it?

[ash]

indie music is the best

[alexia]

i'm not against "indie" kids or anything..
but it's funny how they all want to meet conor oberst from bright eyes.

[gerardine]

WHOA!
Go Indie Go!!!

[Becca]

I'm Indie and proud of it. ♥

[angie]

hey i love the indie music culture it's awesome!

[Niki]

Here's something I've noticed:
The whole point of being emo or goth or indie is to be different and individualistic. But the fact that they can even be labeled with one of these terms is that really, they aren't very different from eachother. So they're just following another trend.

[Sarah]

ohhhh, I know the soure is "urban dictionary," so anyone can edit it, but really? indie music was not formed in the 90s when alternative split! That is simply when it became more obvious to mainstream culture! the pixies were not the first indie band!
Indie Pop can be traced back to the late 70's in London as a contrast to the punk scene. Heavenly and Tallulah Gosh, as early as Television Personalities, and the whole DIY Sarah Records aesthetic.
puhlease do a little research before trying to define something like "indie," which even those so involved in the scene cannot find a valid definition for.

[zoe_breeze]

indie, scene, emo, goth, whats the difference?
all of these lables basically mean "trying to be different"
yeah, different like everyone else.
dont lable yourself.
just try and actually be yourself.
i wonder if you can..

[Kelly]

Indie's cool, but some people try to be SO anticonformist that they're really just conforming to their own image. Refusing to listen to music, watch movies, read books, or wear clothes simply because they're mainstream, regardless of whether or not you like them isn't exactly being true to yourself, either. Personally, I mix it up--some alternative/independent stuff and some mainstream. And I don't apologize or feel bad for it. I don't care how many other people like it or who liked it first--I still like it.

[Rachael]

Hey you guys...
labels are for soup cans
right?
wrong!
no matter how much youre against them theyll always be there.
sorry to say this but...
EVERYONE is labeled as something.
even if you try to be different...
youre labeled as "that weird different kid that does her own thing."
get over yourselves and shut up.
theres no stopping it.
conformity comes no matter what.
you try to do your own thing but...
it turns out someone else has already done it...
or people will see you doing it and like it and follow.
so it doesnt matter what you guyts think about labels.
theyre there
and everybody has one.

[G]

Is it indie to mix your punk and prep clothes with a bit of vintage pants

[rae rae]

indie kids & hipsters aren't the same thing. hipsters are like, the scene kids of independant music. indie kids hate hipsters.

[Amy]

i absolutely agree with NIA,besides,i like the indie style whether it's music or clothes..

[babygurl]

ppl just cause you listen to a certain type of music or you drees a certain way doesn't mean you're indie. being indie is being original and outside what other ppl think. i may be judgistic but hey i am who i am.
ppl may say hey i am indie cause i listen to hard rock but the guy next to them may say i roll with the crowd causse i listen to hard rock. it just says that you're trying to be a stereotype. ppl if you dress, talk, and listen to the same thing as everyone else then you're not indie.

if you go to an american school and everyone talks, dresses and listens to different stuff while you're still listening to stuff from your old school than you're not indie you're just not trying to adapt.
i've gone to the same school but i don't listen to the same stuff, dress, talk, or even wear my hair the same doesn't mean i'm indie. ppl its just a damn stereotype. get over it.

[Nia]

People call me Indie. People call me a hippie. Either way, I am me.

I think it's funny how we all are asked to be a part of some group in society. Why? Ah, because people flock to those just like them.

Differences increase the fun level. Try befriending someone completely different then you, it's a great feeling.

[G]

Indie is a hard label to figure out
if you come right out and say I love indie music
Pple think you're all talk.