Citizendia
Your Ad Here

Indie rock
Stylistic origins
Cultural origins
c. Post-punk was a popular musical movement in the mid to late 1970s following on the heels of the initial Punk rock explosion of the early 1970s No Wave was a short-lived but influential Art music, Film, Performance art, Video and Contemporary art scene that had its beginnings 1980, United States and United Kingdom
Typical instruments
Mainstream popularity Largely underground, but several bands have had mainstream success. Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles The electric bass guitar (also called electric bass, or simply bass; ˈbeɪs as in "base" is a Stringed instrument played primarily with the A drum kit (also drum set or trap set) is a collection of Drums Cymbals and sometimes other Percussion instruments such as cowbells An electronic keyboard or digital keyboard is a type of Keyboard instrument.
Regional scenes
Largely global, England - Scotland - Wales - Ireland - USA - Canada - Sweden - Japan
Other topics
Timeline of alternative rock

Indie rock is an umbrella term to reference rock artists that are or were unsigned, or have signed to independent record labels, rather than major record labels. Scotland is internationally known for its traditional music which has remained vibrant throughout the 20th century when many traditional forms worldwide lost popularity to Pop music Wales has a strong and distinctive tradition of Folk music related to the Celtic music of countries such as Ireland and Scotland. Irish Music is the generic term for music that has been created in various genres on the entire island of Ireland, North and South of the border The music of the United States reflects the country's multi-ethnic population through a diverse array of styles Canada's music has mirrored the history and culture of the country The modern Japanese music scene includes a wide array of performers in distinct styles both traditional and modern ranging from rock electro punk folk metal reggae salsa and tango This is a timeline of Alternative rock, from its beginnings in the 1960s to the present An umbrella term is a word that provides a Superset or grouping of related concepts also called a Hypernym. An independent record label (or indie record label) is a Record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the Major record labels The music industry is the business of Music. Although it encompasses the activity of many music-related businesses and organizations it is currently dominated by the "big Originally the term was not a reference to a specific genre of rock music; however, it has come to be used often to reference the sound of particular bands and the bands they have influenced. "Indie rock" is used as an umbrella term covering a wide range of artists and styles close to rock music, connected by some degree of allegiance to the values of underground culture and counterculture. Underground culture, or just underground, is a term to describe various Alternative cultures which either consider themselves different from the Mainstream Counterculture (also " counter-culture " is a sociological term used to describe the values and norms of behavior of a Cultural group, or Genres or subgenres often associated with indie rock include lo-fi, post-rock, sadcore, C86, and math rock, to list but a few; other related (and sometimes overlapping) categories include shoegazing and indie pop. Lo-fi is an aesthetic in music production which uses Low fidelity recording practices Post-rock is a genre of Alternative rock characterized by the use of Musical instruments commonly associated with Rock music, but using Rhythms Sadcore is an infrequently employed subgenre term used by music journalists to describe examples of Alternative rock characterised by bleak lyrics downbeat melodies and C86 is a cassette compilation released by the British music magazine New Musical Express (NME in 1986, featuring new bands licensed Math rock is a rhythmically complex guitar-based style of experimental rock music that emerged in the late 1980s Shoegazing (also known as shoegaze or shoegazer) is a genre of Alternative rock that emerged from the United Kingdom in the late 1980s "Twee" redirects here For a definition of the word see its entry at wiktionary.

Indie rock artists place a premium on maintaining complete control of their music and careers, releasing albums on independent record labels (sometimes their own) and relying on touring, word-of-mouth, and airplay on independent or college radio stations for promotion. Some end up moving to major labels, often on favorable terms won by their prior independent success.

Contents

History

UK 1980s

After the punk music scene of the 1970s, a number of musical styles emerged in the UK, some of which were supported by major record labels and assimilated into mainstream pop music (e. g. 2 Tone and New Romantic). 2 Tone (or Two Tone) is a Music genre created in England in the late 1970s by fusing elements of Ska, Punk rock, Rocksteady New Romantic was a short- lived Fashion and music movement that occurred primarily in the United Kingdom and Ireland during the very early 1980s Simultaneously, artists such as Felt (band), Joy Division and The Fall released music on small independent labels such as Creation Records and Factory Records. Felt were a 1980s British Alternative rock band named after the way Tom Verlaine enunciated the word "felt" in the Television Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Creation Records was a British Independent record label headed by Alan McGee. Factory Records was a Manchester based British Independent record label, started in 1978, which featured several prominent musical acts on its They often gained underground popularity via independent music magazines and fanzines, or via the patronage of John Peel. A fanzine (see also Zine) is a nonprofessional publication produced by fans of a particular cultural phenomenon (such as a literary or musical genre for the pleasure John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE (30 August 1939 – 25 October 2004 known professionally as John Peel, was an English Disc jockey, radio Their original and quirky music was generally recognised and admired by a niche audience of music enthusiasts. The music was generally influenced by punk music, '60s pop music and counterculture, and occasionally electronic music and European pop. Counterculture (also " counter-culture " is a sociological term used to describe the values and norms of behavior of a Cultural group, or Electronic music is music that employs Electronic musical instruments and Electronic Music technology in its production This broad range of artists and musical styles was often known as indie music, as it was not funded by the music industry, and was rarely featured on commercial radio or television. Still other bands and artists did not use record labels, and traded their music by posting cassettes to one another- also hoping to reach an audience via independent media.

The Smiths were the most successful and critically-acclaimed indie artists of this period. The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982 Their singles regularly reached the UK top 40, although the band were signed to an independent record label (Rough Trade) and supported by the independent music press. Their songs featured distinctive guitar melodies and lyrics sung in Morrissey's Manchester accent. Steven Patrick Morrissey (ˈmɒɹɪsiː born May 22, 1959) known primarily as Morrissey, is a British Singer and Lyricist The lyrics often discussed taboo or embarrassing subjects (unrequited love, feelings of loneliness) in a close, confessional style, underwritten with dry wit and humour. The enduring popularity of the Smiths, and their influence upon Britpop bands, came to define indie music in the UK. The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982 Britpop is a subgenre of Alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom. However in the 1980s indie music referred to a broad range of musical styles, which were experimental and distinct from prevailing music trends.

U. S. 1980s

In the United States, the music commonly regarded as indie rock is descended from an alternative rock scene largely influenced by the movements of the 1970s and early 1980s and their DIY ethos. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The DIY ethic ( Do it yourself ethic refers to the ethic of being self-reliant by completing tasks oneself as opposed to having others who are likely more experienced complete In the 1980s the term "indie rock" was particularly associated with the abrasive, distortion-heavy sounds of Hüsker Dü, Dinosaur Jr, Sonic Youth, Big Black, and others that populated American indie labels, separating them from jangly college rock bands like R.E.M. and 10,000 Maniacs, who, by the end of the decade, were signed to major labels. For other uses see Husker Du. Hüsker Dü was an American Alternative rock band formed in Minneapolis-St Sonic Youth is an American Alternative rock band formed in New York City in 1981 Big Black was a Noise rock band founded in Chicago Illinois, United States that was active between 1982 and 1987. College rock was a term used in the United States to describe 1980s Alternative rock before the term "alternative" came into common usage REM is an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by Michael Stipe ( lead vocals) Peter Buck ( Guitar The late eighties band Pixies is said to be the main influence in 1990s-present indie rock. Pixies are an American Alternative rock band formed in Boston Massachusetts in 1986

UK 1990s

In the 1990's, indie rock became somewhat assimilated into mainstream music culture, as bands on independent record labels began to achieve commercial success. Many hitherto 'indie' bands either signed to major record labels, or successful independent record labels were bought by major labels and subsumed into the music industry proper. In this way, popular and influential indie musicians joined the musical mainstream. Artists who either signed for a major record label in the early 1990s, or who were effectively 'sold' to one, include The Stone Roses, James, New Order, Happy Mondays and Oasis. The Stone Roses were an English Alternative rock band formed in Manchester in 1984 New Order are an English rock group formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner ( vocals, Guitars Synthesizers, Peter Hook Happy Mondays are an English Alternative rock band from Salford, Greater Manchester. Oasis are an English rock band that formed in Manchester in 1991 It is worth noting that all of them come from Greater Manchester, as did The Smiths. Greater Manchester is a Metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2 The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982 Many of these bands, particularly Oasis, came to represent mainstream British pop music. Oasis are an English rock band that formed in Manchester in 1991 These formerly-indie bands were collectively referred to in various ways by the music press. Newspapers and journalists referred to 'the Madchester scene'. The terms Britpop and 'major-label indie' were later applied to these bands, alongside bands from other parts of the UK, as this music entered the mainstream. Britpop is a subgenre of Alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom.

Simultaneously however an 'indie' rock scene continued, albeit having 'lost' some well-known musicians. Indie music perhaps lost part of its identity as a flourishing, non-mainstream genre at this time. Influential independent music publications such as 'Sounds' and 'Melody Maker' began to lose money and were closed. The term 'indie rock' was often applied to commercial guitar-pop music. However the increasing affordability of musical instruments and technology allowed people to continue making original music without commercial success, and outwith the musical mainstream. A number of bands (including Belle and Sebastian) continued to make music with the ethics of earlier British indie- they achieved success via the independent press and radio, and belonged to a genuinely independent record label (Jeepster). Belle and Sebastian are an Indie pop band formed in Glasgow, Scotland in January 1996 The Jeepster was an Automobile sold under the Jeep marque The original Jeepster was produced by Willys-Overland from 1948 to 1950

U. S. 1990s

During the first half of the 1990s, alternative music, led by grunge bands such as Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam and Nirvana broke into the mainstream, achieving commercial chart success and widespread exposure. Alice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle Washington in Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990 Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen Washington. Shortly thereafter the alternative genre became commercialized as mainstream success attracted major-label investment and commercially-oriented or manufactured acts with a formulaic, conservative approach. With this, the meaning of the label "alternative" changed away from its original, more counter-cultural meaning to refer to alternative music that achieved mainstream success and the term "indie rock" was used to refer to the bands and genres that remained underground. One of the defining movements of 1990s American indie rock was the lo-fi movement spearheaded by Guided by Voices, Pavement, Sebadoh, The Grifters, Liz Phair, The Elephant 6 Recording Co., and others, which placed a premium on rough recording techniques, ironic detachment, and disinterest in "selling out" to the mainstream alternative rock scene. Guided by Voices (often abbreviated as GBV) was an American Indie rock band originating from Dayton, Ohio. Pavement was an American Indie rock band in the 1990s Although they experienced only moderate commercial success they achieved a significant cult Sebadoh is an Indie rock band formed in Westfield, Massachusetts by Eric Gaffney and Dinosaur Jr bass player Lou Barlow The Grifters was a nationally popular and influential 1990s Indie rock band based in Memphis who released albums on Doink Sonic Noise Shangri-La Records Liz Phair (born Elizabeth Clark Phair on April 17, 1967 in New Haven, Connecticut, USA) is an American The Elephant 6 Recording Company (or simply Elephant 6) is a collective of American musicians who spawned some of the most notable independent bands of the 1990s including "Sold Out" redirects here For other uses see Sold Out (disambiguation or Selling Out (disambiguation.

Main indie rock genres of the 1990s

After 2000

Indie bands have attracted many amongst the age demographic of college students. Lo-fi is an aesthetic in music production which uses Low fidelity recording practices Noise rock (also known as noise punk) describes one variety of Post-punk Rock music that became prominent in the 1980s Unwound was a US rock band based in Tumwater / Olympia Washington. Shellac (sometimes referred to as "Shellac of North America" is an American Noise rock group composed of Steve Albini (guitar and vocals Bob Blonde Redhead is an American rock trio comprised of Kazu Makino and twin brothers Simone and Amedeo Pace Riot grrrl was an underground Feminist punk movement that started in the early 1990s and is often associated with Third-wave feminism (it Bikini Kill were an American Punk rock band formed in Olympia Washington in October of 1990. Bratmobile was an American punk band Growing from the Northwest and Washington DC underground and influenced by Indie pop in the United States as well as Britpop Math rock is a rhythmically complex guitar-based style of experimental rock music that emerged in the late 1980s Chavez is an Math rock / Post-hardcore band from New York active in the national club scene June of 44 was an American rock band which was formed in 1994 from ex-members of Rodan, Lungfish, Codeine, Rex, The Post-rock is a genre of Alternative rock characterized by the use of Musical instruments commonly associated with Rock music, but using Rhythms Slint was a rock band consisting of Brian McMahan (guitar and vocals David Pajo (guitar Britt Walford (drums Todd Brashear (bass on Spiderland Mogwai are a Scottish rock group from Glasgow, Scotland. Formed by Stuart Braithwaite and Dominic Aitchison in 1995 Post-hardcore evolved from Hardcore punk, itself an offshoot of the broader Punk rock movement Fugazi are an American alternative / post-hardcore band that formed in Washington D Girls Against Boys are an Indie rock / Post-hardcore band originally forming in Washington D Drive Like Jehu was an American Post-punk / Post-hardcore band led by Rick Froberg and John Reis, formed in 1990 in San Diego "Twee" redirects here For a definition of the word see its entry at wiktionary. Belle and Sebastian are an Indie pop band formed in Glasgow, Scotland in January 1996 Many indie bands have launched their careers by offering to perform at free concerts hosted by universities and colleges. Bands such as The Dykeenies, Silversun Pickups, Tokyo Police Club, The Kooks and Maxïmo Park have found their way on to charts this way. The Dykeenies are a New Wave Indie rock band formed in mid-2005 in Cumbernauld, Scotland. Silversun Pickups (also simply known as SSPU) is an American Indie rock band from Los Angeles California, signed to Dangerbird Records Tokyo Police Club is a Canadian Indie rock band from Newmarket Ontario, consisting of Singer and bassist Dave Monks Guitarist The Kooks are an Indie band based in the United Kingdom. The band was formed in Brighton, United Kingdom, and currently consists of four members Maxïmo Park (sometimes spelled Maximo Park) are an English Post-punk revival band signed to Warp Records, who formed in 2000

UK after 2000

From the mid-1990s onwards, 'indie rock' has had two meanings in the UK. The more popular meaning is that of guitar music, influenced by the Clash, the Smiths and Oasis, which is often very popular and commercially successful. For the debut album by The Clash see The Clash (album The Clash were The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982 In Geography, an oasis (plural oases) or Cienega ( Southwestern United States) is an isolated area of vegetation in a Desert, typically The term is also applied to 'independent' music, which has some pop-rock influences but exists outwith the musical mainstream. There is however a good deal of similarity between the two meanings. Many bands, on independent labels, would gladly enter the musical mainstream, and hope to be given the opportunity. With the advent of Myspace and other music-sharing internet sites, the journey from 'independent' to the musical mainstream (and back again) can be very short. MySpace is a popular social networking Website offering an interactive user-submitted network of friends personal profiles blogs groups photos music and

With Arts Council funding for some independent bands, and an increasing range of advertising and commercial opportunities to distribute music, few popular acts are wholly independent. However indie music in the UK has perhaps benefited from the relatively broad overlap between 'mainstream' and 'indie' music genres. Radiohead release their music independently, do not accept corporate sponsorship and continue to make music which is experimental. Radiohead They are also popular and well-known. There are many artists who make original, distinctive music, without aiming for mainstream success, in genres such as grime music. Grime is a genre of music which emerged in London, UK, primarily a development of UK garage, Dancehall, and hip hop. In this sense, the UK retains a tradition of creating original, experimental music, which has one eye on achieving mainstream success without being subsumed by major music corporations.

Main indie rock genres after 2000

Additional, less clearly defined genres include:

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Jon Dolan, Josh Eells, Will Hermes, Jonah Weiner, Douglas Wolk (December 2007). Psychedelic folk or Psych folk is a Music genre that is a blending of Folk music and Psychedelic rock or pop The No-Neck Blues Band, also known as NNCK, is a seven-member free-form improvisational musical collective from New York City. Brightblack Morning Light (formerly Brightblack) is a band based in New Mexico, specializing in permutations of Folk rock and Psychedelic music Wooden Wand and the Vanishing Voice is the name of a musical collaboration between James Jackson Toth and Jessica Toth (Wooden Wand and The Vanishing Voice a Brooklyn band composed of Entrance is the musical vehicle for musician Guy Blakeslee (Born April 29 1981 In Popular music, independent music, often abbreviated as indie, is a term used to describe independence from major commercial record labels and an autonomous The 100 Greatest Indie Rock Albums Ever. Blender. Blender is an American music Magazine that bills itself as "the ultimate guide to music and more" Retrieved on 2008-02-08. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 421 - Constantius III becomes co- Emperor of the Western Roman Empire.
© 2009 citizendia.org; parts available under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License, from http://en.wikipedia.org
 Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic