What is “indie” music?
This is a question I ask myself a lot. Welcome to a place where I plan to explore that question. Many see the term indie as a genre of music, which sometimes I do, but I usually extend the word to its true form as “independent.” Independent music is music separated from major record labels. The artists in this category of music are ‘do-it-yourself’ musicians, only living off the money they may make at the next day’s show. Many times these bands are backed by a small “indie” label but a lot of them are unsigned. These bands are only known to those who either seek out their music or come across it by happenstance. They are not commercialized which is a factor in their limited exposure. These are the types of bands and musicians I listen to and are interested in finding.
Throughout this blog I hope to showcase “underground” and “indie” bands. To a select group a people the bands I show are well known but to the greater population they are relatively new. Not only do I hope others find some music they enjoy through this blog but in my search I hope I am able to do so as well. This is not me just picking music from my iTunes I find to be different. I plan to search for music I have not come across. Yes, sometimes I will post a artist I love who fits the “independent artist” description but those musicians are ones I feel need as much as exposure as they can get.
It is hard when I say bands, artists, and musicians throughout this, as it can get confusing, but I essentially mean the same thing: people who make music either in a group or on their own. I plan to post about “independent music makers”, artists in their own right, creating something different.
Now, I don’t only want to show musicians in this blog. Sometimes I may post about an independent record label. They are “indie” too. It will be as if I am taking a group of independent artists and giving that group a title. Some independent record labels are doing far more for artist’s creative freedom and support. While they may not have the profit of a major record label most of their artists find a home in the small record labels they inhabit. I feel that I cannot show musicians without showing their support and distribution structure.
I want people to learn from the music they listen to and really take the time to seek out music they enjoy. I do not listen to music on the radio or in the “Top 40 charts” but know of the music in there. It is not that I make a conscious decision to shy away from that music but that it is not music I am passionate about. Many times when searching for a band I think of the music I either like listening to or would like to make myself. This helps in finding music that parallels my tastes. I hope I can stir some musical tastes buds here and maybe someone’s new favorite band will be found.
This is a question I ask myself a lot. Welcome to a place where I plan to explore that question. Many see the term indie as a genre of music, which sometimes I do, but I usually extend the word to its true form as “independent.” Independent music is music separated from major record labels. The artists in this category of music are ‘do-it-yourself’ musicians, only living off the money they may make at the next day’s show. Many times these bands are backed by a small “indie” label but a lot of them are unsigned. These bands are only known to those who either seek out their music or come across it by happenstance. They are not commercialized which is a factor in their limited exposure. These are the types of bands and musicians I listen to and are interested in finding.
Throughout this blog I hope to showcase “underground” and “indie” bands. To a select group a people the bands I show are well known but to the greater population they are relatively new. Not only do I hope others find some music they enjoy through this blog but in my search I hope I am able to do so as well. This is not me just picking music from my iTunes I find to be different. I plan to search for music I have not come across. Yes, sometimes I will post a artist I love who fits the “independent artist” description but those musicians are ones I feel need as much as exposure as they can get.
It is hard when I say bands, artists, and musicians throughout this, as it can get confusing, but I essentially mean the same thing: people who make music either in a group or on their own. I plan to post about “independent music makers”, artists in their own right, creating something different.
Now, I don’t only want to show musicians in this blog. Sometimes I may post about an independent record label. They are “indie” too. It will be as if I am taking a group of independent artists and giving that group a title. Some independent record labels are doing far more for artist’s creative freedom and support. While they may not have the profit of a major record label most of their artists find a home in the small record labels they inhabit. I feel that I cannot show musicians without showing their support and distribution structure.
I want people to learn from the music they listen to and really take the time to seek out music they enjoy. I do not listen to music on the radio or in the “Top 40 charts” but know of the music in there. It is not that I make a conscious decision to shy away from that music but that it is not music I am passionate about. Many times when searching for a band I think of the music I either like listening to or would like to make myself. This helps in finding music that parallels my tastes. I hope I can stir some musical tastes buds here and maybe someone’s new favorite band will be found.
1 comments:
This sounds really interesting. I look forward to seeing what you post and what indie artists you recommend.
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