Indie music is a subculture of music that exists outside of mainstream society. This type of music has protest impressions against pop culture. Indie musicians construct their own worlds by challenging the music industry’s taboos. As a result, independent music and independent musicians are related to subcultures, styles, and cultural characteristics. As a result, it is a unique musical genre.
What defines indie music? – Definition of Indie Music
The term “indie” comes from the phrase “independent.” “Indie” stands for “Independent,” which refers to an artist’s independence. Indie music is a non-commercial type of music. Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group are the three major music companies today. Indie musicians create their own identities, free of the influence of major record labels. This is a kind of individualization process for indie music artists. In contrast to well-known music labels such as Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group, these musicians make music without categorizing it.
For independent artists, creativity is very important because they do not accept a power superior to themselves. For them, music companies are a dominant force that restrains creativity. Dominant structures such as the state stabilize people and kill their creativity. For this reason, independent musicians oppose consumption culture. That’s why indie musicians always have a trace of protest and punk in their genes.
What Influenced Indie Music? Journey to The Underground Culture
Indie music is a concept created in the 1950s-60s. This is a journey into the underground culture. Underground culture has always existed but was not discovered. The characteristics of the underground culture were very much adopted by the youth. An underground cultural aesthetic was created. Gothic thought and aesthetics began to become popular again. They preferred the Moon over the Sun. Darkness instead of Sun. Emotion instead of reason.
The concept of indie began to become popular among young people in the late 1970s, especially in England, as the motto of independence and liberation. That’s why underground music genres such as post-punk, new wave, and independent music began to appear in England. These musical movements were the first foundations of the idea of emancipation. In the process until the 1970s, the art produced limited and this had negative effects on people. People had to suppress their true thoughts and aesthetic attitudes.
For this reason, the reality that existed with the emergence of punk culture was rejected. A protest attitude was against the consumption culture. The indie culture adopted by the youth tried to share their feelings with everyone instead of preferring money. Thus, a concept that people had forgotten resurfaced. This concept is strictly sincerity. In such cases, the issues of sincerity, originality, and independence came to the fore.
Why Is Indie Music Important In Today?
Indie music has become a very important part of modern culture and society today. One of the reasons is that people have consumed everything. The music transmitted to the people by the mainstream media was very boring to the listeners. Production in the music world had almost stopped. Nobody was satisfied with this situation.
With the formation of the independent music world, people started to share their ideas and creativity with people. In this way, people realized the talent within themselves and discovered how subjective thought is. The idea of independence spawned many new artists. People started hearing new styles, sounds, and new lyrics, which were loved by everyone.
21st Century Music Wave: Neo Indie
Before the 1960s, artists were dependent on companies, so they could not produce music freely. It also had a material purpose, so it wasn’t sincere. It was very expensive for an artist to produce an album. But today this idea has changed considerably.
In the 21st century, the internet began to take its place in our world. The Internet has become part of the music industry. Thanks to the Internet, everyone can deliver the music they produce to people as they wish. Authoritarian music companies suffer a lot from this situation.
With the advent of the Internet, communication became very common and easy. Thanks to internet technology, artists have a kit of their music at a low cost without being tied to any record company. For example, music made by a teenager in India can easily become popular around the world. The artist, who defines himself as independent, can do everything that a music company does on its own.
At the same time, music production equipment became more accessible. Anyone can easily buy a musical instrument and improve themselves. Because of this, with the advent of inexpensive recorders and instruments, many people created their music. Everyone was able to set up their studio and produce music completely independently
Finally, the development of new technology has allowed further experimentation with sound. Experimental sounds and currents have proven themselves. As production became easier, new postmodern trends emerged.
