Independent music, also known as indie music, is produced independently from major record labels and involves a DIY approach. Some popular and successful indie bands include The Strokes, who were signed to Rough Trade Records. Indie labels like Creation Records and Factory Records in the UK helped launch bands in the 1980s-1990s through their unconventional approaches, though some faced financial struggles. Indie music videos often have low budgets but emphasize originality, narrative, and visuals that complement the song. The target audience for indie music and videos is typically teenagers and young adults who relate to the genres themes of self-discovery and belonging.

1. Mu
sic

2. Definition: Indie Genre
Independent music is often shortened to indie
music or indie. “ Indie” music is produced
independently from major commercial record
labels or their subsidiaries, a process that may
include a DIY approach to recording and
publishing.

3. Popular/Successful
Indie Bands...

4. Rough
Trade
The big daddy of B
indie labels, R
ritish
ough Trade
has had its ups and downs
since 1978 when Geof f
Travis f ounded it in the
back of his Notting Hill
record shop. Its early
roster was an
embarrassment of riches:
The label went bust in 1991, losing a
decade, but soon af ter its relaunch in the Smiths, the Fall, and
2000, Travis happened upon a little- Stif f Little Fingers whose
known New York band called The I nf l am abl e
m
Strokes. Now owned by B eggars Group, M er i al , R
at ough
the label manages acts as diverse as Trade’s f irst ever album
Antony & the Johnsons and Micachu. release, sold more than
Indie Record Labels 100, 000 copies.

5. Crea
tion
From 1983 to 1999,
the lion’s share of
carousing and brawling
in the B ritish music
industry was done not
just by the roster of
Creation R ecords but
It’s style worked a treat also by its management.
with Oasis, its biggest Most labels attract
success story, as well as signings with lucrative
Primal Scream, too close to deals, Creation,
call in the debauchery according to a f ormer
stakes. However, despite a label manager, “used to
Indie Record Labels
host of great names, Alan
McGee’s company never got
drink and drug the
bands into submission”.

6. Factory
Few defunct British music institutions
inspire more nostalgia than Factory,
the label that put Manchester on the
musical map. Established in 1978 by
Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus,
Factory is remembered for its
highs:Joy Division and New Order, the
But it’s also remembered for it’s lows, notably the suicide of halcyon days of the Hacienda
Joy Division’s Ian Curtis in May 1980. No less memorable was nightclub, Peter Saville’s sleeve
Wilson’s fearless approach, championing “difficult” bands and designs.
declining to make them sign contracts. The label closed in 1992,
but Factory’s influence remains
Indie Record Labels

7. I’ve postedsome l b ow ofIndie mu videosth inspir me forsimil footage
inks el , sic at ed ar
inmy ow mu video...
n sic
http://www.youtube.com
/watch?v=HS1XrH9077Q
eal
I particularly like this song because I can relate to it, and it has a
Big D ork
relaxing adjustment to it.
me w
The video has great effects and moulds well with the song, the narrative is
Ho
well structured.
Be
nH
http://www.youtube.com
Old owa
/watch?v=UzzCthKw_C0
The setting and narrative used in this video helped to inspire a particular shot Pin rd
in my video, this video compliments the song – it’ s excellent! e
The Vacc
in e s The video provides the effect of memory as well as an alternative ‘ indie’ feature...
Post Brea They’ ve made something as simple as recording in a front room look ‘ retro and
k Up ‘ modern’ . I admire the uniqueness of this video.
This song is simple, yet catchy and holds great meaning for
teenagers and youth, most adults are also able to related to it.
http://www.youtube.com/w

8. What makes an indie video successful?
Originality. An indie music video is at it’s best when it’s a
chance taking, friend making, low budget thing – FUN?
A low budget isn’t a necessity for a great indie music video, it’s
just prevalent, and frequently inevitably to be due to indies’
need to express with freedom in both form and subject.
With this indie spirit and these constraints there could be said
to be an independent arts culture, and a less obvious but no less
vivid indie music video visual .

9. Who’s truly the indie
genre’s audience?
Females and males from 14-26 – the age in which
youth struggle to find out who they are and where
they belong.
The indie culture holds a place for every individual
Does it’s music therefore relate to everyone? And
does it therefore have a target audience?

10. From my research I have
learnt...
With indie music video’s, less is more, realism
and trivial, yet every day issues are featured
not only in the lyrics of the song but also in
the video.
My video doesn’t necessarily have to related to
the songs. However it does have to relate to
my audience.