Here is a popular article (below) by one of our musician friends that you should check out.
Enjoy!
To your music success,
Traci Crowley
http://www.indie-musicnetwork.com/index.htm
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The term Indie music is derived from independent music. It refers to music of any genre,
cultural attribute and style but is perceived as being independent because the artists stay
away from mainstream commercial music and they have a do-it-yourself attitude.
Most indie artists typically record their own albums under small labels, sometimes in their
homes or garages. These are considered by purists as the authentic indie artists.
Many small indie labels have closed down, either because the owners lose interest or as
in most cases, they run out of funds. Some such labels were Sarah Records, Factory
Records and Kindercore Records.
If you were not to take a very purist stand on the issue, then an indie label could be
defined as one which is not a part of any major recording labels such as Sony or
Virgin records. Some labels remain independent and there are some which grow
out of their indie status and become more commercial. Commercial success then
leads to the label being taken over by one of the major labels. An example of this
was Creation Records started by Alan McGee in the 1980’s. It had commercial
success with Oasis in the 1990’s and after that was taken over by Sony.
Indie music over the years became synonymous with alternative music. In the
1990’s, indie music was established as an alternative to mainstream commercial
music. More and more artists were recording with these small indie labels.
In fact, alternative music came to be known as another genre of music.
At present, indie music refers to music that is created separate from the mainstream
establishments.
An interesting point to note is that some indie artists develop a new and different kind
of sound, and major labels sign up these artists as they find them commercially viable.
Soon after, other artists try to copy the same sounds and there are many such groups
sounding the same as the original indie artist had a year back. Therefore, indie music
cannot always be termed as an alternative type of music, but indie labels can exist as
alternatives to major mainstream labels.
Indie artists are more influenced by the idea of self expression. They are not so
concerned about being commercially successful. More than the money, it is the
satisfaction of being able to record their own kind of music on their own terms that
keeps indie labels going. There is a sense of belonging among indie artists from all
over the world. A number of indie artists go on tours of other cities where the local
indie bands organize shows and provide them accommodation. The sense of solidarity
among indie bands often lead to joint shows and tours.
There are different types of independent labels. Some are affiliated to major labels where
they can sign and record artists of their choice. The major label then manufactures and
releases the albums for them. The other type is the purely independent label which is not
affiliated to any major label and records its own albums. These albums are released through
independent distributors.
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