On Indie Rock
Sep 10
As of late, a genre that has come to be known as “indie rock” is emerging. It has come to be characterized by overall low production quality and unconventional songwriting. The Shins. Death Cab for Cute. The Strokes. These are bands that have come to be associated with the genre.
But what is indie rock, really?
Put simply, indie rock is an abbreviation of independent rock.
To be a little more detailed about it, indie rock refers to rock bands that are not under contract with a major label (Sony-BMG, EMI, Warner Music, etc…). Their music is either self-released (independent) or they are signed to a label that is independent of a major label.
So… More than anything else, “indie” is an umbrella term that pertains to unsigned or indie label bands.
But, as always, the term is evolving and may eventually be associated with a particular sound. Even if the bands are on a major label.
When that happens, at least, you know where indie rock came from.