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.
indie will become the next 'emos'
sad truth.
Posted by: cats-pajamas | April 27, 2008 at 08:11 AM
i luv indie
its like you separate from all
and star being something else
anyway every person has their on mind and body so in a way everybody its indie in an aspect
Posted by: saw | April 04, 2008 at 01:10 PM
no because everybody would be original. =)
Posted by: genevieve | March 13, 2008 at 10:15 PM
"my own bubble of originalness"...
LOVE IT!
why can't we just all do that? (but if everyone does it is it less original? hmm...)
Posted by: sableye22 | March 12, 2008 at 12:23 PM
I think indie is stupid completely trying to be different and listening to crappy music because nobody has heard of it. indie is mainstream alternative. im alternative but im a 6th grader so everybody at my school calls me goth. eh, there all the same. im my own bubble of originalness
Posted by: genevieve | March 11, 2008 at 04:37 PM
Real indie is 100% british! :D
Otherwise it just doesnt have that sound.
Posted by: Caitlin | March 06, 2008 at 04:56 AM
wayne brady is a motherfucking indie he sells slurpies at 7/11 i saw him
Posted by: waynebradyhater | February 27, 2008 at 06:11 PM
Indies and preps. Preps and emos. Emos and posers (the list goes on and on).
There really is no way to determine which is better. It's opinion and choice that decides what path you want to walk. No label is better or worse than another label. No human is better or worse than another human. There just is what is. People need to group people to survive socially. So please, don't go saying that the world would be better without labels. It's impossible for humanity to function without them. Using them in a harmful way could do with getting rid of, but other than that, there really is nothing we can do.
Posted by: azafe | February 17, 2008 at 10:59 AM
what does mainstream mean can anyone tell me?? oh and why does ppl deniy listenig to it??
thaks
Posted by: Amy | February 15, 2008 at 09:05 AM
what's the point of this, anyway? yeah, i like going to watch underground bands perform in cramped bookstores on friday nights, but who says it's indie? honestly, like cats-pajamas said, labeling yourself makes you the opposite of whatever you're saying you are.
Posted by: anna | January 21, 2008 at 11:32 PM
If you don't care what other people say, and you listen to what you like and don't give a shit about what other people think... you're not indie. I think if you think you're indie, you're not. It's like having an automatic anti-labeller.
But i do like indie music.
I'm a whole contradiction. sorry.
Posted by: cats-pajamas | January 17, 2008 at 04:33 AM
i don't really care if what i listen to is mainstream but its so annoying when people are all "I DON'T LISTEN TO ANYTHING MAINSTREEM" Thats stupid i listen to what i like without caring wheather its main stream or not.
Posted by: none of your buisness | January 09, 2008 at 07:50 PM
gURL really does it research.
But could we please cut the crap with this 'indier than thou' BS?
Posted by: Rikki | January 06, 2008 at 10:01 PM
It's mainstream to be indie right now.
Posted by: H | January 02, 2008 at 03:28 AM
Going and searching out what you truly love, regardless of its obscurity, is the surest way of finding "indie".
Posted by: Mads | December 26, 2007 at 05:57 PM
Kuri: I agree completely.. :\
Posted by: Alice | December 09, 2007 at 04:52 PM
my god
indie is dying
because the mainstream is embracing non-mainstream music, and making it mainstream-non-mainstream music.
huh?
but there are still a profuse
amount of bands out there.
indie is kind of like and iceberge.
you can see just the top, which would be stuff like interpol, ok Go, ect. (which aren't really indie, but the mainstream thinks it is)
but underneath is like the rest of the iceberge. Only in terms of indie, the rest of the iceberge would be like space its self, unknowable in size, and ever expanding.
its crazy.
it wonderful.
i think i'm going to die.
the mainstream would choke if they knew.
Posted by: labyrinth of creete | November 20, 2007 at 10:46 PM
people have to make a label for everything don't they? i mean they made a label for being different and independent. it's crazy...
Posted by: Kuri | November 17, 2007 at 11:59 AM
Indie rules.
Posted by: Eliza | October 25, 2007 at 01:10 AM
it 'in' right now.
Posted by: noodle | October 17, 2007 at 04:55 PM
I love indie film but am hesitant to say so because I don't want to seem as if I'm trying to be a hipster/scene/indie. Stupid Labels!
Posted by: meandyouandeveryoneweknow | September 04, 2007 at 04:41 PM