What is this 'indie' music that the cool kids talk about?

Anonymous Sun, Oct 12, 2008 at 02:36 PM EST

The only problem I have with this is that a lot of what made Indie great for me was searching for bands myself, and being able to listen to something that EVERYBODY ELSE isn't listening to. It didn't make me cool or exclusive, it was just more fun that way, and I wasn't listening to something TV, radio, or popular culture was telling me to listen to. The release of the CD, I believe, contradicts all of that.

You know once this comes out half of teenagers in America are going to turn into "Indie Kids," right?

Tony Fri, Jul 11, 2008 at 03:11 AM EST

I think it's a fallacy that indie music gets bad once it stops being "underground." Death Cab For Cutie has been a darling of the indie music scene for like 10 years and they're one of the most popular bands in the country. Radiohead is considered indie by many and it is the most popular band in the world.

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Deja Wed, Apr 18, 2007 at 10:17 AM EST

I think that when the public is given pretty parcels of "good indie", it does not allow for the indivual to form there own opinion on what is "good" to them. I think undeground music isnt finding out what "cool" but devolping your indivual tastes, by going to live shows, taking the time to find out about the lesser known bands you fall in love with

BigJB Tue, Apr 17, 2007 at 10:06 PM EST

I think that this is a great idea. People don't realize that there are so many great bands out making amazing music. Not everyone has the time to go out and search for the newest bands. It's time consuming and you end up listening to a lot of bad bands before you find a good one. The good music has to get out to the public. It's the only way these bands will survive. I made mixtapes to expose my friends to new music so they can buy the record and go see them live. This is the same concept but for a bigger audience. I wish I could get a job compiling the tracks for these cd's.

BigJB Tue, Apr 17, 2007 at 09:49 PM EST

I am a 36yr old music lover and I haven't stopped looking for that new great band. I'm that guy who had the new mixtape with the newest bands. I know my other friends have stopped their search because of the changes in their life. People don't have that expendable money that they used to buy the newest records with. My tastes have changed a bit throughout the years but my search for the next great song/band. If you want to listen to the fruits of my labour, go to my blog. I will post 20 new songs a month in a streaming player to listen to on your computer. It's like a new mixtape every month. Check it out at http://bigjb-thesoundtrackofmylife.blogspot.com/

bootsycolumbia Tue, Apr 10, 2007 at 04:34 AM EST

Well said, Sammie. Ellen, I keep saying it: you're missing the point. All any of us are saying is that we don't have to give up our love of good music just because we hit the other side of 40. And don't make assumptions about anyone if you haven't walked in their shoes. I don't fit the demographic of a soccer mom except for my age. I'm not well-to-do, I can't afford to stay at home with my kid, I don't own a car, and I don't live in the suburbs. I just like good music and have a hard time searching it out. I'm guessing you're still in your 20s and childless, but trust me, if and when that changes, your life will change. A lot. So don't judge until you've been there.

Sammie Mon, Apr 9, 2007 at 11:55 PM EST

To Ellen Allo-- Isn't it a bit hypocritical to be attacking people for liking good music? Shouldn't we all rejoice when something worthwhile wins out? And what? People who are almost 40 aren't supposed to like new experiences & things geared for the next generation? Wait until you get here; you'll feel differently if you haven't filled up on bile & disappointment.
I think indie music is great but it's not like it sounds brand new. Your favs were influenced by The Cure, The Police, Bowie, Squeeze, the Finn Brothers, Bryan Ferry, Talking Heads, Blondie, REM etc. When the above appeared on the scene, we felt the same as you--this sound is so new, the old people can't appreciate it. Guess what--indie sounds so much like the 80's, you just need to add a synthesizer for it to be the same. Put Love My Way, Overkill, Distant Sun, Don't Change, Mad World, More Than This, and Gone Daddy Gone together and it could have been an OC CD. Look 'em up. Your eyes (& horizons) might open a bit.

Ellen Allo Mon, Apr 9, 2007 at 09:30 PM EST

Oh dear. In addressing ME directly," bootsy" (and any other self-describing Soccer Mom who wants to take it up with me) seems to have had a nerve hit by my previous observation. It scares you that I'm SO right about you, is that it? The term 'soccer mum' was coined because it describes the embodiment of the stereotype I outlined. But if you wanna consider yourself that, I'm happy to expand the definition to whatever gets you in under the rope. It's not my fault that all these poseurs from the 80s chose to give up on life so early, and are now trying desperately to revive their colourless wasted 40s replete with unpleasant, ungrateful children, and a faceful of sag with delusions of attaining relevance through nostalgic appropriation of their kids' music which remind them of those 'cutting-edge' champions of yesteryear Duran Duran. I mean, geez, Mom, you're embarrassing us! (Not to mention that the Shins,Modest Mouse et al are considered rather pedestrian by 'cool' kids o' today).

Ellen Allo Mon, Apr 9, 2007 at 09:29 PM EST

Oh dear. In addressing ME directly," bootsy" (and any other self-describing Soccer Mom who wants to take it up with me) seems to have had a nerve hit by my previous observation. It scares you that I'm SO right about you, is that it? The term 'soccer mum' was coined because it describes the embodiment of the stereotype I outlined. But if you wanna consider yourself that, I'm happy to expand the definition to whatever gets you in under the rope. It's not my fault that all these poseurs from the 80s chose to give up on life so early, and are now trying desperately to revive their colourless wasted 40s replete with unpleasant, ungrateful children, and a faceful of sag with delusions of attaining relevance through nostalgic appropriation of their kids' music which remind them of those 'cutting-edge' champions of yesteryear Duran Duran. I mean, geez, Mom, you're embarrassing us! (Not to mention that the Shins,Modest Mouse et al are considered rather pedestrian by 'cool' kids o' today).

bootsycolumbia Mon, Apr 9, 2007 at 08:04 PM EST

Ellen, your definition of a soccer mom is pretty narrow. Plus, the argument isn't about whether one has "cool" credibility. It's about whether one has to give up one's love of edgier, more difficult to find music, just because one has turned 30 or 40 and now has a couple of kids and lives in the 'burbs. I'm in my mid-40s and have long ago stopped kidding myself that I have any cool credibility, but I still love music that doesn't live on my top 40 radio station. I hate that snobbism that says that only an elite type of person can listen to certain bands. That attitude was ridiculous in the 80s and it's ridiculous now. Based on my age and other demographic factors, I should be listening to Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, Norah Jones, and the like. No offense to anyone who loves that kind of music, but I can't listen to it. I'd rather listen to Modest Mouse, OutKast, Scissor Sisters and any other artist that sounds like they're trying to do something original with their music.

Ellen Allo Mon, Apr 9, 2007 at 04:25 PM EST

I would argue that becoming a soccer mom automatically strips one of any 'cool' credibility. Why should they be pandered to, when clearly having an SUV and Juicy Couture velour trackies, going to yoga, sucking down smoothies and plopping out squalling spoiled spawn dressed in mini Converse All Stars is clearly more important than the (rather minimal, thanks to the internet age) effort to listen to music not available at Wal-Mart? Their money won't make decent bands richer, only more bland as record corps will support only those bands willing to water themselves down to the processed flavour favoured by mums when choosing their driving music. Bleurrrgh.

Sammie Mon, Apr 9, 2007 at 04:14 PM EST

Hi, I'm a soccer mom. Thanks for thinking I have no right to listen to good music. The soccer moms of today listened to punk, new wave, etc. in the 80's. Indie bands sound a lot like my fav's growing up. The Shins and Death Cab remind me of Crowded House. The Killers are very Duran Duran and INXS. Franz Ferdinand have a punk 80's vibe. Practically all of them have a little Roxy Music in their sound. I liked "different" music back then and I like it now. Problem is that busy moms don't have time to look for and wade through the good and bad indie music to find what we like. I used all the O.C. CD's to ferret out some fresh music because what is on the radio is c-rap. Occasionally indie bands like Interpol, Keane, Hot Hot Heat, and Modest Mouse have minor hits and I can actually purchase an entire CD. And now itunes knows what I like and gives me the heads up too. And BTW I LOVE the music. The new Shins has been playing in my car with no reprieve since it came out.

Heather Mon, Apr 9, 2007 at 01:06 PM EST

I think Bethany has the best answer here!

Stephanie Travitsky Mon, Apr 9, 2007 at 01:06 PM EST

The best person to seek advise about Indie music is critic Jim Farber of the NY Daily News. Trust me, this guy knows his s-t. And Left of the Dial is the mutha of all indie/new wave compilations.

bootsycolumbia Mon, Apr 9, 2007 at 11:52 AM EST

Sorry, don't know how that happened. What I was going to say was, in a few years, your indie music listener of today will get older, get married, have kids, and have no time to seek out hard-to-find music they way she or he does now. I know, because I used to be a die-hard indie music lover, back in the 80s. Now, I just don't have the time to seek out a lot of the music I love. So yes, I think this compilation CD idea is a good one. Those soccer moms were probably among the cool kids ten or fifteen years ago. They probably saw all the bands and supported local music scenes, but their lives changed, not their taste in music. The only difference now is they have the disposable income to help finance The Shins' next album. What's wrong with that? As long as The Shins keep writing great music, I don't have a problem with it.

bootsycolumbia Mon, Apr 9, 2007 at 11:43 AM EST

Your indie music listener today is going to get older, get married and have kids, and have no time to search out hard-to-find music

Winn Mon, Apr 9, 2007 at 10:18 AM EST

While I understand the complaints about the "indier than thou" attitude, I don't agree that gaining more listeners doesn't change the quality of the music. Growth and evolution is one thing, dumbing down your music or giving up on experimentation to broaden your commercial appeal is another. Do you really think major record labels can't influence the direction of an artist's music? How many times have we heard stories of albums rejected by labels for not having "singles" or not being mainstream enough, and artists struggling to get out of confining contracts that force them to compromise their vision and musical direction? It's not just about snobbery; it's about hoping a band will keep the individualism and daring that caused you to fall in love with them in the first place. Too many bands have had to sacrifice that to appeal to "soccer moms". If it matters enough, you'll make the time to seek these bands out and support them without needing handholding.

paige Mon, Apr 9, 2007 at 08:46 AM EST

Rhino did this years ago with their 90s box set, Left of the Dial.

Bethany Sun, Apr 8, 2007 at 10:22 PM EST

Oh come on, this album has been out for ages. It's called the Garden State soundtrack.

Danielle Sun, Apr 8, 2007 at 08:43 PM EST

Frankly, the fact that bands like the Shins or Death Cab, etc are willing to "headline" an album to help people find new bands doesn't bother me a lot. I don't think anyone expects these albums to bow in the Billboard top 10 or 20. They'll probably benefit the smaller bands on the bottom of the label food chain.

And my indie sensibility is a little more bothered the hyperbole I've been seeing on Popwatch about the indie bands -- e.g. OMG I heard the Arcade Fire album two months before its out and they are the best band ever!!

While it's nice to see indie bands covered here, it's kind of ironic to see all this inside-indie speak on a website owned by Time Inc. and then have them complain about trying to get these bands more exposure through corporate techniques.

furry_tom Sun, Apr 8, 2007 at 08:22 PM EST

I don't listen to indie music to be "hipper than thou" or anything of that sort. It's actually because I decided years ago that I wouldn't pay more than $20 to go see a band live. Since most bands signed to major labels play for at least $25, I've had to find lesser-known, quality bands. So it's more of a matter of economics than in trying to be part of some doofus-hipster cult. I never felt that "cool" was something to aspire to, since what's considered "cool" is so transient.
Instead, I prefer to live by what Philip Seymour Hoffman (playing Lester Bangs) said in Almost Famous "The only true currency in this bankrupt world if what we share with someone else when we're uncool."

Winona Sun, Apr 8, 2007 at 06:26 PM EST

Music is music. Since I have a new daughter (read: no time to "check out this new cool band!"), I'm looking forward to having an Indie Music for Dummies CD. Just as long as they put some Hanson on it.

deb-O-rah Sat, Apr 7, 2007 at 10:08 PM EST

I've never really understood the "indier-than-thou" crowd who refuses to listen to band once they're signed to a major label or get a little "mainstream" success. If it's good music, it's good music, regardless of whether it comes from some obscure Icelandic post-punk-pre-emo trio or a major label supastah. If more people hear good music which isn't played eighteen squidillion times on the radio, more power to 'em!
I love the British "Now" series and have discovered many a "cool" band or artist that way. Sometimes people just need a little help finding their way through the genres and sub-sub-genres. I believe it was the prophet Madonna who said, "Music makes the people come together (yeah)." Right on.

Stephanie Travitsky Sat, Apr 7, 2007 at 11:10 AM EST

Indie has been around for years. originally "indie" meant bands who local people heard about (not bar bands) that were on their way to success. Ie- Ramones, Aztec Camera, Talking Heads, etc. Now it is music that is not normally played on pop stations, but is played on college radios and even in commercials. Ie- Peter, Bjorn and John.

Vivian Sat, Apr 7, 2007 at 12:36 AM EST

The thing is, you have to realize this kind of thing already exists on the web. if you download with bit torrent, like most indie kids, there's what's called an "indie hits list" that comes out everyone month similar to the thing you're describing. I think it's just indie music label trying to capitalize on something that is already kind of popular.

Ace Fri, Apr 6, 2007 at 10:50 PM EST

this is an awful idea. Many of the bands that are on this comp get rotations on MTV and MTV|2 and are displayed on the late-night show circuit and in teen dramas and in Grey's Anatomy and in Zach Braff Movies and in anything involving Adam Brody. My point is that these bands are getting tons of rotations already, selling hella albums, selling out venues, and being successful. If you are too lazy to figure out who they are, that's your own fault.

Annie: I agree with your point. I think that this comp is a huge affront to the indie community, breaking its cardinal rule: do what you like. My fear is that these disks will become taste makers, style dictates, which is very antithetical to the idea of indie culture. I got into Indie because no one was forcing upon me this idea that this is what's cool or this is what I should listen to. These CD's will start this trend, and that is awful. I have no beef with making money. I have a problem with bands being foisted upon me.

Kristina Fri, Apr 6, 2007 at 09:19 PM EST

I agree with Emily and daisyj-- I hate the whole coolness-by-association factor. Plus, "indie" has become a genre, which is totally wrong. I assume there are many bands of varying genres that are not signed to major labels, but now "indie" is a genre-- a genre based on snobbery.

Emily Fri, Apr 6, 2007 at 07:28 PM EST

Umm...you realize that having more listeners doesn't actually change the quality of the music, right? Get over yourself. There is plenty of fantastic indie music out there, but there is just as much (if not far more) crappy indie music. Unless all you care about is the "coolness factor" that you think listening to indie music brings you, you shouldn't care if it's being listened to by soccer moms.

Chris Fri, Apr 6, 2007 at 07:19 PM EST

I want the bands I like (TV on the radio!) to be able to afford to make more music. If people don't buy their cds, it doesn't happen.

Being poor doesn't make you cool. It just means the music industry machine won't let your music be heard by people that might actually like it. I say let them be heard!

Jael Fri, Apr 6, 2007 at 06:59 PM EST

Annie, are you saying the point of indie music is to hoard it as a means to separate the "cool" kids from those of us who don't have the time to look for such bands? Seems like snobbery to me.

daisyj Fri, Apr 6, 2007 at 06:59 PM EST

I guess it depends on whether your fondness for certain indie acts stems from the coolness-by-association feeling you get from listening to them or actually, you know, liking the music. If it's the former, then yes, this is the end of the world. Otherwise, I can't see how a compilation of some good music could be bad.

Jen Fri, Apr 6, 2007 at 06:31 PM EST

Don't be so cynical, Annie. Who cares if soccer moms are exposed to the wonders of The Shins or Cold War Kids? I see nothing wrong with expanding the musical horizons of people who might otherwise only subsist on a diet of whatever Clear Channel feeds them.

hans Fri, Apr 6, 2007 at 06:23 PM EST

lol!

Loren Fri, Apr 6, 2007 at 06:16 PM EST

I want to hurt YOU

sarah Fri, Apr 6, 2007 at 06:07 PM EST

Indie music is obnoxious and pretentious. My college roommate played it constantly and I wanted to hurt her.