Become Familiar With Current Indie Rock Bands and Labels

So what makes something indie rock? Unfortunately, there is no clear set of criteria that you can apply to make that determination. It is easier to define indie rock by what it isn't: It isn't successful, glamorous or sexy, but it isn't insipid. Nonetheless, getting to the point where you can identify those negatives is going to take a little work. You might actually have to read a book or some magazines to get a sufficient feel for what qualifies as indie in order to pull this off--you might be best off flipping through a copy of Alternative Press.

Familiarize yourself with the names of the indie record labels, because seven times out of 10, if it's on an indie label, it's indie rock. Matador Records, for example, is now the Warner or Sony of indie rock, as its staff numbers about 30 people and its roster includes about 40 bands. In fact, a few of its most popular artists, including Liz Phair and The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion (JSBX), have distribution deals with Capitol Records.

But because Matador has become moderately successful, in many respects it's yesterday's news. So now, even if you've never listened to JSBX, you can act like you think the band is passé because you know that it's on Matador. If you want to talk about JSBX, limit the conversation to older albums like either "Extra Width" or "Orange," both of which are truly worth owning if you actually like indie rock.

Other labels you should familiarize yourself with include Merge, Kill Rock Stars, Lookout, Evil Teen, Amphetamine Reptile, Alternative Tentacles, Shimmy Disc, K Records, Touch and Go, 4AD, spinART, Thrill Jockey and the belated Trance Syndicate. And if you see anything on C/Z Records in the used bin, it might be wise to jump on it, or at least read the name of the band on the CD so it will be familiar in conversation. Bloodshot is certainly indie, but it isn't rock--yet even if twang isn't your thing, you should still have respect for the label's adherence to general indie principles.

Unlike most major labels, indie labels are kind of like brands, meaning that they generally stay stylistically consistent. This is especially true when the label is young and small. For example, most of the early Seattle grunge bands were playing under the Sub Pop label long before David Geffen showed up in the Pacific Northwest with a checkbook and started paying alternative bands. It's not so much the case anymore, but once upon a time, you knew that if you bought a band on the Sub Pop label, you wouldn't need a volume knob. So if you can identify the sound of one band on the label, there's a good chance you'll be in the ballpark with the others.

Next: Learn to Talk the Talk

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Comments

jamitout said

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on 10/28/2009 Wow. I think I just saw "cool" melt before my eyes.

on 10/28/2009 The most daft, annoying article I have ever read.

Faking anything is asinine, and it makes a complete mockery of any desperate boob who flagrantly emulates trends -- and not to mention, of indie itself.

Indie spawned from independent thought. Go wear your thrift store tshirts, and download VU mp3s, but regurgitating tripe like this will not make you appear anything but transparent and hollow.

And despite this, thank you.
Bumbling louts like you are the reason indie rock exists.

kyoruiko said

on 10/6/2009 Hilarious article, but a good one. What's wrong with introducing people to indie music, pissdagger? I think that was whole point of the article (proof being that the majority of the article focused on the music, not the fashion--of which there is none).

For the uninitiated, let me suggest some great indie bands, who stand out for their musicality and longevity.

Polvo (Merge & Touch & Go),
Stereolab (Duphonic Records)
Sebadoh ( Sub Pop)
The Sea & Cake ( Thrill Jockey)

The 25 to 30+ crowd should appreciate that. The under 25 crowd...well, rep your own ****.

pissdagger said

on 4/20/2009 I am a non-violent person, and I pay my convictions a disservice when I admit to myself and to you that you deserve physical punishment for publishing this.