2. What is indie pop?
Indie pop is a subgenre of alternative rock or indie rock and a subculture that originated in the
United Kingdom in the late 1970s. The style is 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. Its
substyles include chamber pop and twee pop. – Online definition
Indie pop is the alternative music genre to pop and rock with increasing popularity over time
because of its individuality. This genre is not often identified as indie pop and can be mistaken
as indie rock because of its similar qualities. – My definition
3. Conventions of indie pop…
When it comes to indie pop, the music videos and performance are known to be quite low
budget and often shots are take in easily accessible places, used to create mystery, however
being very creative with camerawork and lighting. Its all about the looks for indie artists. Often a
retro looked is portrayed in the costume and makeup of indie music as this helps to set about
the genre from everyone else, again by being unique and different. Props are used such as
guitars and microphones to show the talent the artist has. Editing to the indie pop song, video
and magazine are thought through with a narrative, such as the use of a faded and worn tone or
a black and white wash to the lighting to show the traditional old feel to the genre, and maybe to
connotate time in the lyrics. Indie pop always has a deeper meaning behind the simplistic
settings and choice of costumes, but really indie pop is showing the difference it has to related
genres like pop and rock , and has more of a narrative behind it.
4. My production…
As I am doing a music magazine print, I have decided to the music genre ‘Indie Pop’. I will
demonstrate my knowledge of indie pop in my production by following the conventions of a
typical pop magazine with an indie twist. I was unable to find any magazines related and based
on indie pop in specific so I will take my knowledge from pop/ rock magazines, as they both
related to indie pop being the origin of this genre and apply it to my print. My main focus of my
indie pop magazine is to make it as individual as possible but following the same structure of a
pop magazine print layout, with the main focus on the image with cover lines around it but using
layering to create texture, depth and mystery to my magazine.
