What do you guys think of indie rock? I've been listening to a ton of indie bands lately and I'm really enjoying this type of music. I mean just because these bands aren't mainstream, do you think that they are as good if not better than most bands who are mainstream. It seems to me that the quality of the musianship is on a higher level than a lot of the better known bands. If I were in a band I think I'd rather be on an indies label, there seems to be more freedom to be creative and you wouldn't have to worry about some big exec. breathing down you neck telling you what you should and shouldn't put into your music. Just a thought, tell me what you think.

Indie music is actually what I listen to most of the time. I tend to dislike the more mainstream music because most of them are overrated. However there are those few bands that I do enjoy like Coldplay.

Maybe it's just me, but a lot of people at my school listen to the more mainstream music and I like to be different, that's why I started listening to indie music. Soon enough, I enjoyed it more and more and I like discovering new bands that nobody's ever heard of. I think that's kinda the more positive part of indie music. Almost every band or artist under indie labels tend to have different genres of music and expresses a mix of feelings, hence indie (individual) music. It all kinda brings back to your point stating that indie bands tend to be more creative. All the mainstream rock/pop bands sound alike. Indie music also tend to have more diverse lyrics on a wide range of topics.

Sometimes, I feel that indie bands become underrated and dont get the credit they deserve for making such wonderful music.

What indie groups have you heard

blahness

Sometimes, I feel that indie bands become underrated and dont get the credit they deserve for making such wonderful music.

there is somthing i noticed about indie music, usually you are the one who find out about the band, whereas mainstream you're just overflowed by the ad's and tv appereances so i think mainstream is for lazy people
people who don't go on the net and try to find about new bands or new good albums

also in mainstream, theres the money so when you earn money people start saying "blah theyre just doing it for the money" and that applies to indie bands who go mainstream like placebo. band like coldplay is on the border line because you know they love music but all the "fanservice" stuff like ringtones, expensive concert tickets, etc, is just killing everything

Yea, the bands who are just in it for the money are overly easy to spot, any band that dresses in the current fad, which currently and sadly is the whole emo look, will more likely just make music to fatten their wallets. You can also tell what music has heart in it, I mean can you really sit there and tell me bands like My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy are making music because they truely love to or even bands who put out an album every 3 months like Blink 182? I'd much rather listen to someone almost completly unheard of like, Built To Spill and The Appleseed Cast. They have 1000 times the heart in their music than most mainstream bands ever will in their whole careers.

Heh. Rite now, I'm just being introduced to Indie music and so far, I hav to say it's prety awsume^^. My friend is givin me most of the songs by many artists/bands I havnt even heard of!! Yea indeed, my friend has some high quality music^^

I like techno/Rave music. Its pertty cool. I wish I could go to a Rave. Anyways its all about the music. Today's music these day are all covered up by lyrics. I like rave you can dance to it and just do anything to it..It really doesn't have a styles its just awesome I think. Like white people like rock or pop music. Black people like Rap or R&B. But what about people who like techno? Its for everyone!

I like indie music. To me indie music is sorta like emo music. Its not screaming or not really loud head banging music. Its just really soft rock music. But I know i'm wrong. But thats just what I think. Thats what I associate to be indie rock.

terraforce5000

...someone almost completly unheard of like, Built To Spill...

As far as indie rock goes, Built to Spill is actually pretty well known. They're signed to Warner Bros. for God's sake! And they're good, sure... but not quite deserving of all the acclaim they get from Pitchfork and similar sites...

Built To Spill, to me, is far better than bands like Plain White Tees or Ten Years and bands I've mentioned above. Those bands have zero musical talent as far as I'm concerned. Their music appeals to 13 year old girls who live at the mall. I'm just sick of the mainstream, it's overrated and it's disgusting to see that record labels are so intent on putting out that garbage. Hell, if I wanted to hear screams from some cross-dressing guy about his girlfriend breaking up with him for wearing her clothes or something just as ridiculous I'd do it myself. I'm sorry and it also doesn't hurt my feelings if this offends you but I just don't like what rock is turning into, men wearing women's pants and eyeliner is not rock.

I don't particularily LIKE Built to Spill, but they are hardly unheard of. I know plenty of people who have heard of them. Obviously they aren't huge, but I do know plenty of people who have heard of them. I actually went to one of their concerts because my favorite band (that recently got signed ) was headlining for them. I didn't stay to see Built to Spill though because I didn't like the album I listened to other than one song, Randy Descends Eternity.

I don't know what you would call Indie music a genre. Indie music simply means that the band isn't signed and covers a broad range of musical styles. And I got to say, I don't like people who listen to Indie bands simply because the band is Indie. I also think the term is used a little loosely these days...most Indie bands are wannabe mucisians =_=. But yes, I did listen to Indie music, mainly The Decemberists. But now they are signed, and I coudln't be happier for them.

Indie music is my thing! XD I love that stuff to death! Right not my favourite indie band is Keane, but they're new Cd is going to go huge so I'm really happy for them!
I'm also listening to loads of Alexisonfire, Decemberists, and indie music associated along those lines. if you want to find more indie music, my favourite stop is Pitchforkmedia.com
They have free downlaods everyweek from indie labels.
But I have a soft spot for local bands too! Michael Rault & Mixed Signals, Mark Birtles Propect, and one band that will be heard by many soon... SHOUT OUT OUT OUT OUT! XD SO4 rocks!

I haven't heard of Built to Spill but I'll look them up! ^_^

Heh, you make it sound almost as if indie music is a whole genre in itself, a very common misconception. "Indie" is a term used to describe a genre, not in itself a new one.

I hope the primary reason you like indie music is not out of spite for mainstream music, or simply "to be different" or to know a band no one else knows. In my opinion, music should be judged with a blind eye and all ears, regardless if it is indie or not. What most people *perceive* as indie actually isn't, because chances are the good ones you like get signed onto major labels faster than you can say record deal.

As for the indie local bands where I live... I have to admit the majority is very mediocre, many of them almost identical in appearance and lyrics, a juxtaposition of being "indie" and "different" in the first place. The common stereotype for the kids into those bands are self-proclaimed pseudointellectuals who feel their taste in music is far superior than their peers and that they could never appreciate it in the same way. As naquarianna stated, "most Indie bands are wannabe mucisians."

I have a huge gripe with people who turn on their favorite indie bands because they get signed onto a major record label because they are "selling out". Sorry to break the news guys, but bands need money to eat and support themselves like most human beings, and small-time joints aren't exactly cash rewarding when it's all split between 4+ members. Indeed, music should be made for the purpose of enjoyment and not soley money, but some revenue is required to progress the band in development. More cash for equipment and bigger gigs=faster record releases.

Music is music, regardless of how it gets out there for people to listen to and enjoy.

Felixir hit what I wanted to say right on the nose. The bands I've come across under the indie label are unsigned bands and in desperate need of cash. Though I find it hard to believe that some people only want to do it for the music. If you want to make a band you usually want to hit it big.


I remember reading some forums awhile back about how Modest Mouse fans were upset that they hit it big and went on MTV. They felt that Modest Mouse sold out and it wasn't there little unheard of band anymore.

Now that is just plain silly. :P

KEANE! Just got the new album. It's great. Definantly go get it! :-)