2. Where it originated from
Indie pop is a genre of alternative rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the mid-1980s, with its roots in Scottish post-punk
bands on the Postcard Records label in the early ’80s (Josef K and Orange Juice) and the dominant UK independent band of the mid-’80s, The
Smiths. Indie pop was inspired by punk’s DIY ethic and related ideologies, and it generated a thriving fanzine, label, and club and gig circuit.
Indie pop differs from indie rock to the extent that it is more melodic, less abrasive, and relatively angst-free.
In the mid to late ’80s, indie pop was criticized for its associations with so-called “shambling” (a John Peel-coined description celebrating the
self-conscious primitive approach of some of the music) and underachievement, but the C86 indie pop scene is now recognized as a pivotal
moment for independent music in the UK, as is recognized in the subtitle of that compilation’s 2006 extended reissue: CD86: 48 Tracks from
the Birth of Indie Pop. Indie pop continues to have a strong following and inspire musicians, not just in the UK but around the world, with new
bands, labels and clubs devoted to the sound.
The term “indie” had been used for some time to describe artists on independent labels (and the labels themselves), but the key moment in
the naming of “indie pop” as a genre was the release of NME’s C86 tape in 1986. The compilation featured, among other artists, Primal
Scream, The Pastels, and The Wedding Present, and “indie” quickly became shorthand for a genre whose defining conventions were identified
as jangling guitars, a love of ’60s pop, and melodic power pop song structures
Information found from https://www.musicgenreslist.com/music-indie-pop/
3. Top indie artists
Today there are many indie artists that are
very popular throughout the uk who are
well known by all for their songs. Popular
artists today include
• Arctic Monkeys,
• The Strokes,
• Radiohead
are the top 3 indie bands. But there are
thousands of aspiring artists that have
found their place in the music world
through indie genre and are working their
way up the ladder. This meaning many
artists are taking advantage of this
popular growing genre in todays music.
4. Awards
There are so many awards for indie artist that not many people know about. There have different awards ceremonies every
year either directed directly to indie (independent music) like; independent awards, AIM awards… or specific awards for indie
music within big ceremonies like; Billboard Music awards, The Grammies, American music awards and many more. At these
ceremonies there are many awards like artist of the year, best single/album, most popular song and many more. These
awards don’t come with direct cash prizes but it does mean there have more of a chance of being picked up by big record
labels which they can earn lots of money from.
5. Key features
Indie music is encompassed with a wide range of styles, from hard-edged, to grunge-influenced bands. Its thought to have
included a number of styles that are “too sensitive and melancholy, too soft and delicate, too dreamy and hypnotic, too
personal and intimately revealing in its lyrics, too low-fidelity and low-budget in its production, too angular in its melodies
and riffs, too raw, skronky and abrasive, wrapped in too many sheets of Sonic Youth/Dinosaur Jr./Pixies/Jesus & Mary Chain-
style guitar noise; too oblique and fractured in its song structures; too influenced by experimental or otherwise unpopular
musical styles.” as said by Allmusic.
Some characteristics of indie music is:
• Aims to appeal to a wide audience, rather than any subculture or ideology.
• Verse-chorus song structure.
• Recording and production is considered more important than live performance.
• Usually around 3 minutes in duration.
• Focus on melodies and catchy hooks.
6. Style
Indie artist don't dress a certain
way like other genres are known for
dressing. This is because they all
have their own unique style that
their band becomes known for.
They don’t tend to worry about the
newsiest trends and fashion as they
create their own that inspire new
trends in the fashion world, this
meaning they don’t splurge out on
expensive clothes or personally
made items, but the items they do
wear still looks stylish. The artist
will tend to still follow the cultural
norm but put their own twist on it,
what they wear also depends on
what aspect of indie they are, so
for example ‘indie rock’ would take
inspiration from rock music and put
their indie twist on it.
Another example ‘the magic
gang and ‘spring kings’ have
similar dress sense un the
fact they both ear baggy tops
and shirts, and both having
fairly long hair and similar
band members in each band
but they have their distinct
differences. For example the
magic gang wear bright
colourful clothes with
dickies, and the ‘spring kings’
more formally dressed in
darker colours.
Depending on how popular
they are, They often will buy
big houses and cars and have
planes that can get them all
over the world as they can
earn a lot of money from this
genre of music making them
better known worldwide.
7. Other interesting facts
• originated in the United Kingdom in the 1980s
• Indie is a genre tied with the slogan “DIY” (Do It Yourself).
• Indie music is a total contrast to mainstream music, which in the past referred to only pop music but nowadays also includes
rap, hip hop and nu metal.
• As they are spontaneous, free and untraditional, indie artists have to handle everything themselves, including composing,
harmonizing, producing, promoting and releasing.
• Indie bands rarely receive supports from music agencies. Their products are launched thanks to their performances at the
bars, outdoor shows, university radios, and word-of-mouth, this makes it harder for musicians and bands to make a name for
themselves
• Originated from alternative music, indie has some shared characteristics with punk rock
• The characteristics of indie fans: fond of nameless artists, interested in songs that only a few people know about and anti-hit
songs.
• Music lovers might come across indie songs that are not too philosophical and academic, not to listen to only once. These
songs convey messages from life and love, which are very simple and casual. The artists sing from their heart that wants to
sing and to express themselves.
