Okay, sure, you like independent music. Fine. But what exactly does that mean? When you hear talk of independent music, what bands come to mind? Seriously, think about it. I’ve debated the term “indie” with friends, over-analyzed it with strangers, and completely dismantled it in heated arguments with just about anybody. Everyone I talk to has a different perception of what exactly indie music truly is. I remember having this conversation with a friend in the late 90’s and thinking that we’d nailed it down. Unfortunately, 10-ish years later, here I find myself reading Facebook walls and wondering what people really mean when they say they like “independent music.” Typically, the conversation rolls around to a few different locations but, generally, arguments about “what is indie” can be reduced to two basic tenets: 1) The label the band is on. 2) The style of music, or sound, that the band makes. I argue that neither of these make sense anymore, and that the term “indie,” as commonly used now, should be retired. Should be considered dead. Why? Well, this is why… Continue reading →
