Simone Lawson
Indie is short for independent and is used to refer to artists who produce music independently from a commercial record label. Indie music is characterised by creative freedom, low budgets, and a do-it-yourself approach to music creation. Indie music is often guitar-oriented and tends to stray away from mainstream conventions, with lyrics that are earnest and emotive. Indie rock, a subgenre of rock music that originated in the UK, US, and New Zealand in the 1980s, is also associated with the term indie. Indie rock is known for its diverse influences and styles, including punk, psychedelia, post-punk, and country. The genre has evolved over time, with the emergence of subgenres such as slowcore, Midwest emo, slacker rock, and space rock.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Record labels | Small operations, lower funding, greater creative control |
| Sound | Somber, acoustic, slow, unpolished, depressive |
| Music | Guitar-oriented, earnest and emotive lyrics, not mainstream |
| Artists | Independent, outside of the system, not financially dependent on major labels |
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What You'll Learn
Independent record labels
The term "indie" was initially used to describe music released on independent record labels, but it eventually evolved to represent a specific sound and attitude. Indie music is often characterised by its guitar-oriented sound, deviation from mainstream conventions, and creative, low-budget, and do-it-yourself approach to music creation. Independent record labels have historically been important in anticipating and promoting new developments in popular music, with their roots tracing back to the post-war period in the United States.
The success of independent labels in the 1980s and 1990s, with the emergence of subgenres like grunge and Britpop, led to increased attention and a split within the indie rock genre. Some indie artists conformed to mainstream radio, while others embraced an increasingly experimental direction. Despite this evolution, independent labels have continued to provide a platform for artists seeking creative autonomy and the freedom to explore diverse sounds, emotions, and subjects that may have limited appeal to mainstream audiences.
Many well-known artists began their careers on independent labels before transitioning to major labels. Indie labels produce and distribute a significant portion of music titles, about 66% according to SoundScan and the Recording Industry Association of America, but they account for a smaller percentage of sales, typically around 20%. This discrepancy highlights the role of independent labels in nurturing emerging artists and fostering musical diversity.
Examples of prominent independent record labels include Domino Recording Company, known for its focus on art pop and folk music, and Young Turks, which started as an offshoot of XL Recordings and has since become a fully independent label. These labels showcase the diversity and impact of the independent music scene, contributing to the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of the music industry.
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Creative freedom
The term "indie" is short for "independent" and is used to describe artists who produce music independently from commercial record labels. Indie artists are not directly financially dependent on any of the four major labels: WMG, Sony BMG, EMI, and Universal. Indie music is characterised by creative freedom, low budgets, and a do-it-yourself approach to music creation. Artists signed to major labels can retain creative control and still be considered indie artists.
Indie music is a broad style of music that encompasses a wide range of styles and subgenres, including indie pop, indie rock, indie folk, and indie electronic. It is often guitar-oriented and tends to stray away from mainstream conventions, with lyrics that are earnest and emotive, and many cultural and sociopolitical references. The sound of indie music has been described as somber, acoustic, slow, and unpolished, with a depressive tone.
The origins of indie music can be traced back to the 1970s and 1980s with the emergence of independent record labels such as Rough Trade and Mute. These labels contributed to the development of a distinct sound, influenced by post-punk and new wave. In the 1980s, American independent music spread via college radios, and in the 1990s, styles that evolved out of indie music, such as grunge and Britpop, achieved wide commercial success.
The term "indie rock" specifically refers to a subgenre of rock music that originated in the United Kingdom, the United States, and New Zealand in the early to mid-1980s. Indie rock is characterised by its ties to the independent music scene and a do-it-yourself attitude among the bands and artists involved. Indie rock has been influenced by a variety of genres, including punk, psychedelia, post-punk, and country.
The definition of "indie" has evolved over time and has come to represent a community, an ethos, an aesthetic, and a style, in addition to its original financial and distribution-related implications. Indie music has also been associated with a specific type of audience or fan base, as well as a particular image or persona.
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Low-budget
The term "low-budget" is often used in the independent filmmaking community, but what constitutes a low-budget film technically? According to the IATSE Low Budget Theatrical Agreement, the lowest budget tier, Tier Zero, includes films with production costs of up to $3 million. This tier is the closest to a "micro-budget" tier, and to qualify, films must also be scheduled to shoot for at least 15 days of principal photography.
Tier One of the IATSE Low Budget Theatrical Agreement covers indie movies with production costs ranging from over $9 million to $12.5 million. Films with budgets exceeding $15 million are no longer considered low-budget and do not fall under the agreement.
When it comes to casting and crew selection, low-budget films typically cannot afford big-name stars. Instead, the focus is on finding good actors and skilled technical crew members, such as editors, cinematographers, and production designers. The absence of major star involvement is notable in low-budget films, and it is challenging to attract even B-list stars within a limited budget.
To create a financially successful low-budget film, it is crucial to identify your target audience. Niche audiences, such as those for faith-based films or specific documentary topics, can be large enough to make a film profitable. Additionally, the quality of the screenplay and production values are essential, especially when aiming for a more general audience.
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Do-it-yourself approach
The "do-it-yourself" approach is a defining characteristic of indie music, with artists taking control of their music creation and distribution. This approach is often driven by creative freedom and the desire to explore sounds, emotions, and subjects that may not appeal to large, mainstream audiences.
Indie artists often embrace a DIY attitude, releasing music independently without the support of a major label. This can mean self-producing and self-distributing their work, or partnering with small, independent record labels that offer greater creative control and autonomy. These labels are typically characterised by their smaller operations, lower funding, and a focus on artistic freedom rather than commercial success.
The DIY approach in indie music is also reflected in the artists' willingness to experiment and break away from mainstream conventions. This experimentation can be seen in the diverse influences and styles of indie artists, ranging from punk and psychedelia to folk and electronic music. The genre is known for its high proportion of female artists and the development of feminist-informed riot grrrl music, challenging the male-dominated nature of preceding rock genres.
Indie artists often cultivate a dedicated fan base through their unique and personal sound, with many building a following before receiving significant financial support or marketing. This can lead to a strong sense of community and shared values among fans, enhancing the appeal of the music.
The do-it-yourself approach in indie music is, therefore, characterised by independence, creativity, and a focus on artistic expression rather than commercial success. It empowers artists to explore their own unique sounds and connect with audiences in an authentic and meaningful way.
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Outside of mainstream culture
Indie music is a broad style of music that is not directly financially dependent on any of the four major labels (WMG, Sony BMG, EMI, and Universal). Indie music is characterised by creative freedoms, low budgets, and a do-it-yourself approach to music creation. Indie music is often guitar-oriented and tends to stray away from mainstream conventions, with lyrics that are earnest and emotive, and many cultural and sociopolitical references.
Indie music is also associated with artists who operate outside of any system that confines music to a commodity. Artists who release music independently, without the backing of a major label, are also considered indie. Indie music is often described as "somber, acoustic, slow, and unpolished", and is sometimes associated with a depressive tone.
The term "indie" was first used to describe music released on independent record labels, but it has since evolved to describe a specific sound and attitude. Indie music is linked by an ethos more than a musical approach, with a wide range of styles, from hard-edged, grunge-influenced bands to do-it-yourself experimental bands and punk-folk singers.
The indie rock genre, in particular, originated in the United Kingdom, the United States, and New Zealand in the early to mid-1980s. Indie rock is noted for having a relatively high proportion of female artists compared to preceding rock genres, with the development of feminist-informed riot grrrl music by acts like Bikini Kill, Bratmobile, and Team Dresch.
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Frequently asked questions
"Indie" is short for "independent". It refers to artists who produce music independently from a commercial record label. Indie music is often characterised by creative freedom, low budgets, and a do-it-yourself approach.
Indie music is a broad category that includes artists of numerous genres. Some examples of artists that fall into the broad category of indie music are Kimya Dawson, Big Thief, Soccer Mommy, and Alanis Morissette.
Indie rock is a subgenre of rock music that originated in the United Kingdom, the United States, and New Zealand in the early to mid-1980s. The term was originally used to describe rock music released through independent record labels.
