The Ultimate Guide to Indie Music Definition, History, and examples

Indie music is a term that has been used to describe various kinds of music that are produced independently from the mainstream music industry. Indie music can be seen as a form of artistic expression that values creativity, originality, and authenticity over commercial success. 

What is Indie Music?

The word “indie” is short for “independent”, which implies a degree of autonomy and freedom from the control of major record labels and corporations. Indie music is music that is created by artists who operate outside of the mainstream music industry, either by choice or by necessity. Indie artists typically have more control over their creative process, artistic vision, and distribution channels than artists who are signed to major labels. 
Indie music is not a genre in itself, but rather an umbrella term that encompasses many different genres and subgenres of music that have emerged from the independent music scene. 

Some of these genres include: 

Indie rock
Indie pop
Indie folk
Indie electronic
Indie hip hop
And many more

Indie music can also be influenced by various musical traditions and cultures from around the world, such as indie Latin, indie African, indie Asian, and so on. 

Indie Music can be characterized by a number of features, such as:
A DIY (do-it-yourself) approach to recording, producing, and distributing music, often using low-budget or homemade equipment and methods.
A preference for experimentation, innovation, and diversity over conformity, standardization, and repetition.
A rejection of mainstream trends, conventions, and expectations in favor of personal expression, identity, and authenticity.
A sense of community and collaboration among indie artists and fans who support each other through word-of-mouth, social media, blogs, zines, festivals, and other platforms.
A resistance to commercialization, corporatization, and commodification of music and culture. 

History of Indie Music

The origins of indie music can be traced back to as early as the 1920s when independent record labels emerged to challenge the dominance of the major labels in the music industry. These independent labels offered more opportunities for artists who were marginalized or excluded by the mainstream market, such as jazz musicians, blues musicians, folk musicians, rockabilly musicians, soul musicians, punk musicians, and many others. 
In the 1950s and 1960s, some British producers and artists launched their own independent labels as outlets for their work and artists they liked. Some examples are Joe Meek’s Triumph Records, Tony Hatch’s Pye Records, Andrew Loog Oldham’s Immediate Records, George Martin’s AIR Studios, and Richard Branson’s Virgin Records. These labels helped to foster the development of genres such as skiffle, beat, mod, psychedelic rock, progressive rock, glam rock, folk rock, and more. 
In the 1970s and 1980s, the rise of punk rock and new wave sparked a new wave of independent labels and movements that challenged the status quo of the music industry. Some examples are Malcolm McLaren’s Sex Pistols’ label Glitterbest Records, Rough Trade Records, Factory Records, Stiff Records, Mute Records, 4AD Records, Sub Pop Records, SST Records, Dischord Records, Alternative Tentacles Records, Def Jam Records, Tommy Boy Records, Sugar Hill Records, ZTT Records, Warp Records, Creation Records, Sarah Records, Matador Records, Merge Records, Domino Recording Company, XL Recordings, Ninja Tune, etc. These labels helped to popularize genres such as post-punk, hardcore, synth-pop, electro, hip-hop, house, techno, and more.
In the 1990s and 2000s, the indie music scene continued to grow and diversify, as new technologies such as the internet, digital recording, and software synthesizers enabled more artists to create and distribute their music independently. Indie music also became more mainstream, as some indie artists achieved commercial success and recognition, such as Nirvana, Radiohead, Arcade Fire, The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, Lana Del Rey, Lorde, and many others. 

Examples of Indie Music

Indie music is a diverse and eclectic field that encompasses many different artists and genres. It is impossible to list all the examples of indie music that exist, but here are some of the most influential and popular ones that have shaped the indie music scene over the years. 

Indie Rock

Indie rock is one of the most prominent and popular genres of indie music. It is a broad term that covers various styles of rock music that emerged from the independent music scene in the 1980s and 1990s. Indie rock is often characterized by guitar-driven melodies, lo-fi production, DIY aesthetics, and lyrical themes that range from personal to political.

Some of the most influential and successful indie rock bands include:

The Smiths: A British band that formed in 1982 and became one of the most influential indie bands of all time. They are known for their jangly guitar sound, Morrissey’s distinctive vocals and witty lyrics, and their exploration of topics such as sexuality, alienation, and social issues.

R.E.M.: An American band that formed in 1980 and became one of the first alternative rock bands to achieve mainstream success. They are known for their melodic and diverse sound, Michael Stipe’s cryptic and poetic lyrics, and their activism and advocacy for various causes.

Pixies: An American band that formed in 1986 and became one of the most influential indie bands of the late 1980s and early 1990s. They are known for their loud-quiet dynamics, abrasive guitar riffs, surreal and dark lyrics, and their fusion of punk, surf, pop, and noise rock.

Nirvana: An American band that formed in 1987 and became one of the most successful and influential rock bands of all time. They are known for their grunge sound, Kurt Cobain’s raw and emotional vocals and lyrics, and their impact on popular culture and music.

Radiohead: A British band that formed in 1985 and became one of the most critically acclaimed and innovative rock bands of all time. They are known for their experimental and diverse sound, Thom Yorke’s haunting vocals and complex lyrics, and their use of electronic elements, orchestration, and unconventional song structures.

Arcade Fire: A Canadian band that formed in 2001 and became one of the most successful indie rock bands of the 2000s. They are known for their anthemic and orchestral sound, Win Butler’s passionate vocals and lyrics, and their use of various instruments such as violin, accordion, harp, mandolin, and more.

The Strokes: An American band that formed in 1998 and became one of the most influential indie rock bands of the early 2000s. They are known for their garage rock revival sound, Julian Casablancas’ cool and charismatic vocals and lyrics, and their stylish and retro image.

Arctic Monkeys: A British band that formed in 2002 and became one of the most successful indie rock bands of the 2000s. They are known for their witty and observational lyrics, Alex Turner’s distinctive vocals and guitar skills, and their evolution from a punky garage rock band to a more sophisticated and diverse rock band. 

Indie Pop

Indie pop is another popular genre of indie music. It is a term that covers various styles of pop music that emerged from the independent music scene in the 1980s and 1990s. Indie pop is often characterized by catchy melodies, upbeat rhythms, synth sounds, DIY aesthetics, and lyrical themes that range from romantic to ironic.

Some of the most influential and successful indie pop artists include: 

Belle & Sebastian: A Scottish band that formed in 1996 and became one of the most influential indie pop bands of all time. They are known for their twee pop sound, Stuart Murdoch’s gentle vocals and witty lyrics, and their use of various instruments such as trumpet, flute, violin, and more.

The Postal Service: An American duo that formed in 2001 and became one of the most successful indie pop bands of the early 2000s. They are known for their synth-pop sound, Ben Gibbard’s melancholic vocals and lyrics, and their collaboration with various guest vocalists such as Jenny Lewis and Sheryl Crow.

MGMT: An American band that formed in 2002 and became one of the most popular indie pop bands of the late 2000s. They are known for their psychedelic pop sound, Andrew VanWyngarden’s quirky vocals and lyrics, and their hit songs such as “Kids”, “Time to Pretend”, and “Electric Feel”.

Vampire Weekend: An American band that formed in 2006 and became one of the most acclaimed indie pop bands of the 2010s. They are known for their afro pop influenced sound, Ezra Koenig’s clever vocals and lyrics, and their incorporation of elements from various genres such as baroque pop, reggae, ska, and rock.

Lana Del Rey: An American singer-songwriter who rose to fame in 2011 with her viral song “Video Games”. She is known for her retro pop sound, her sultry vocals and lyrics, and her cinematic and nostalgic aesthetic.

Lorde: A New Zealand singer-songwriter who debuted in 2013 with her smash hit “Royals”. She is known for her minimalist pop sound, her mature vocals and lyrics, and her critique of pop culture and consumerism.
Tame Impala: An Australian band led by Kevin Parker who emerged in 2010 with their debut album Innerspeaker. They are known for their psychedelic pop sound, Parker’s falsetto vocals and lyrics, and their use of various effects and synthesizers. 

Indie Folk

Indie folk is another genre of indie music that emerged from the independent music scene in the 2000s. Indie folk is a fusion of traditional folk music with contemporary indie influences. Indie folk is often characterized by acoustic guitar melodies, harmonized vocals, lo-fi production, and lyrical themes that reflect personal experiences and emotions.

Some of the most influential and successful indie folk artists include: 

Bon Iver: An American band led by Justin Vernon who debuted in 2007 with his album For Emma, Forever Ago. He is known for his indie folk sound, his falsetto vocals and lyrics, and his use of various instruments such as banjo, saxophone, piano, and more.

Iron & Wine: An American singer-songwriter whose real name is Sam Beam who debuted in 2002 with his album The Creek Drank the Cradle. He is known for his indie folk sound, his whispery vocals and lyrics, and his use of various instruments such as slide guitar, cello, mandolin, and more.

Sufjan Stevens: An American singer-songwriter who debuted in 2000 with his album A Sun Came. He is known for his indie folk sound, his multi-instrumental skills and lyrics, and his ambitious projects such as his 50 States Project and his concept albums about his family and religion.

The Lumineers: An American band that formed in 2005 and became one of the most successful indie folk bands of the 2010s. They are known for their indie folk sound, Wesley Schultz’s passionate vocals and lyrics, and their hit songs such as “Ho Hey”, “Ophelia”, and “Stubborn Love”.

Of Monsters And Men: An Icelandic band that formed in 2010 and became one of the most popular indie folk bands of the 2010s. They are known for their indie folk sound, their male-female vocal harmonies, and their hit songs such as “Little Talks”, “Mountain Sound”, and “Dirty Paws”.

Hozier: An Irish singer-songwriter who debuted in 2013 with his EP Take Me to Church. He is known for his indie folk sound, his soulful vocals and lyrics, and his blend of blues, gospel, and rock influences.

Xavier Rudd: An Australian singer-songwriter who debuted in 2002 with his album To Let. He is known for his indie folk sound, his multi-instrumental skills and lyrics, and his incorporation of elements from various cultures such as Aboriginal, Hawaiian, and African music.

The Shins: An American band that formed in 1996 and became one of the most acclaimed indie folk bands of the 2000s. They are known for their indie folk sound, James Mercer’s distinctive vocals and lyrics, and their catchy and melodic songs such as “New Slang”, “Caring Is Creepy”, and “Simple Song”.

Sons Of The East: An Australian band that formed in 2011 and became one of the most popular indie folk bands of the 2010s. They are known for their indie folk sound, their harmonized vocals and lyrics, and their upbeat and energetic songs such as “Into The Sun”, “Hold On”, and “Come Away”. 

Indie Electronic

Indie electronic is another genre of indie music that emerged from the independent music scene in the 1990s and 2000s. Indie electronic is a fusion of electronic music with indie influences. Indie electronic is often characterized by synth sounds, drum machines, computer programs, lo-fi production, and lyrical themes that reflect personal experiences and emotions.

Some of the most influential and successful indie electronic artists include: 

LCD Soundsystem: An American band led by James Murphy who debuted in 2002 with their single “Losing My Edge”. They are known for their indie electronic sound, Murphy’s witty vocals and lyrics, and their fusion of dance-punk, disco, synth-pop, and rock influences.

Hot Chip: A British band that formed in 2000 and became one of the most popular indie electronic bands of the 2000s. They are known for their indie electronic sound, their playful vocals and lyrics, and their blend of electro-pop, funk, hip-hop, and soul influences.

Chvrches: A Scottish band that formed in 2011 and became one of the most successful indie electronic bands of the 2010s. They are known for their indie electronic sound, Lauren Mayberry’s sweet vocals and lyrics, and their synth-pop style with dark and catchy melodies.

Le Tigre: An American band that formed in 1998 and became one of the most influential indie electronic bands of the early 2000s. They are known for their indie electronic sound, Kathleen Hanna’s feminist vocals and lyrics, and their mix of electroclash, punk, and pop influences.

M83: A French band led by Anthony Gonzalez who debuted in 2001 with their self-titled album. They are known for their indie electronic sound, Gonzalez’s dreamy vocals and lyrics, and their use of shoegaze, ambient, and new wave influences.

Grimes: A Canadian singer-songwriter whose real name is Claire Boucher who debuted in 2010 with her album Geidi Primes. She is known for her indie electronic sound, her ethereal vocals and lyrics, and her experimentation with various genres such as synth-pop, art pop, R&B, and industrial music.

Tame Impala: An Australian band led by Kevin Parker who emerged in 2010 with their debut album Innerspeaker. They are known for their indie electronic sound, Parker’s falsetto vocals and lyrics, and their use of various effects and synthesizers.

Impact of Indie Music

Indie music has had a significant impact on the world of music and culture in various ways. It has challenged the dominance and control of the mainstream music industry, offering more opportunities and freedom for artists and fans alike. Indie music has also fostered a sense of community and collaboration among indie artists and fans who support each other through word-of-mouth, social media, blogs, zines, festivals, and other platforms.
Indie music has also influenced the musical styles and aesthetics of many mainstream artists who have adopted elements from indie genres such as indie rock, indie pop, indie folk, and indie electronic. Indie music has also reflected and shaped the personal experiences and emotions of many listeners who identify with the themes and messages of indie songs. Indie music has also contributed to the diversity and innovation of musical expression, experimenting with various genres, influences, instruments, and techniques. It has also challenged the conventions and expectations of popular culture, rejecting mainstream trends and norms in favor of personal expression, identity, and authenticity.
Indie music is a powerful and influential form of artistic expression that values creativity, originality, and autonomy over commercial success. Indie music is not a single genre, but rather a collection of diverse musical styles and influences that share a common DIY ethos and aesthetic. Indie music substantiates the passion and vision of indie artists who create music for the love of music rather than to satisfy a record label or mass appeal. It is also a confirmation of the passion and loyalty of indie fans who appreciate and support indie music for its quality and uniqueness rather than its popularity or hype. Indie music is a musical phenomenon that has changed the world of music and culture in many ways.

- Alex Harris - neonmusic.co.uk