Indie Rock
Table of Contents
Origins
In the late ’70s and early ’80s punk rock had crashed into the scene, but what about the folks who loved the DIY ethos but craved a different sound? That’s where Indie Rock comes into play.
At its core, Indie Rock is all about independence – hence the name – whether that means independent labels or an independent spirit.
The ’90s
In the ’90s Indie Rock blossomed into a confident genre. Think of bands like Pavement, Sonic Youth, and Dinosaur Jr. These groups brought Indie Rock to college radio, and suddenly everyone was rocking to a new beat.
Iconic Indie Rock Bands
The Strokes
Brought garage rock back into style in the early 2000s with their groundbreaking album “Is This It.”
Arctic Monkeys
British Indie darlings who showed us all that Indie can go mainstream without losing its soul.
Neutral Milk Hotel
A cult favorite, especially for their haunting and complex album “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea.”
Vampire Weekend
Their blend of indie rock and world music elements has inspired countless debates and even more fandom.
The Indie Ethos
Indie Rock is a lifestyle, not just a genre. It’s about supporting your local record store over the big-box retailers. It’s about choosing the quirky, hole-in-the-wall venue over the corporate mega-stadium.
The essence of Indie Rock lies in its DIY (Do-It-Yourself) approach – making things happen with passion and elbow grease, rather than big budgets and flashy marketing.
The Evolution of Indie
Indie Rock is an umbrella term that covers a myriad of sub-genres:
Indie Pop
Think Belle and Sebastian or Death Cab for Cutie – melodic, accessible, but still with that indie edge.
Lo-Fi Indie
Bands like Sebadoh and Guided by Voices have a raw, unpolished sound, celebrating imperfections as part of the art.
Post-Rock Indie
Expansive and instrumental bands like Explosions in the Sky.
Folk Indie
Artists like Sufjan Stevens and Fleet Foxes blend acoustic instrumentation with indie sensibilities.
Indie Rock Starter Albums
- “Is This It” – The Strokes
- “Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” – Arctic Monkeys
- “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea” – Neutral Milk Hotel
- “Illinois” – Sufjan Stevens
- “Currents” – Tame Impala
FAQ
How Did Indie Rock Start?
Indie Rock has its roots in the late ’70s and ’80s, born from the DIY spirit of Punk Rock. It gained traction in the ’90s through college radio stations and indie labels, eventually morphing into various sub-genres and styles.
What Makes Indie Rock Different from Other Rock Genres?
Mainstream rock often has a formula – think 4/4 time signatures and verse-chorus-verse structures. Indie Rock, on the other hand, plays with unconventional songwriting, unique instrumentation, and often tackles more ‘left-field’ themes.
