In popular music, independent music, often generally abbreviated as “indie”, is a term used to describe independence from major commercial record labels and an autonomous, Do-It-Yourself approach to recording and publishing. – Wikipedia
I was having a conversation the other day about where exactly the line is drawn. Sure, it’s easy to say bands like Paper Rival as truly indie. They were unsigned and still made a mark on the genre/industry. On the other hand, you have bands like The Dears who are label mates with Silversun Pickups. Not exactly bargain basement and do-it-yourself.
Leave us a comment, and tell us what your answer to the question “What is indie music?”
Chris enjoys candlelight dinners, kittens, and long walks on the beach. Okay, not really, but he does like being in Houston to check out new bands in the great indie rock band scene. 
Indie is not just a sound, but a way of doing business. It’s more about operating in a way more in line with the artist and the true fan. It’s more about developing artists’ careers rather than focusing on the quick sale. Paper Rival is a brilliant band. The Dears aren’t bad either.
The definition of ‘indie’ is bloody vague these days. I think to most people it refers to a style or genre rather than a technical business fact. I’m guilty of saying ‘I mostly listen to indie rock’ myself, too, although in theory it would be the same as saying ‘I like big record lable stuff´’ or ‘I like books with blue covers’.
Anyway, I like and agree what Tyler is saying; indie refers, or should refer also to the way music is made. Not talking about huge labels vs independent production, but more about the general attitude, in whose terms and why one’s music exists.
Then again, if a chart topper r’n'b star claims that their stuff comes straight from the heart, would that qualify as ‘indie’? Are Radiohead, Interpol or even Klaxons ‘indie’?
Tricky. Can’t wrap this up nicely, but I guess ‘indie’ would be some kind of combination of a certain sound (not Rolling Stones but Girls, not U2 but Big Pink) and a way of doing things and an attitude.
Or then anything that gets mentioned on Pitchfork.
maria
http://playparanoid.blogspot.com
I think the term ‘indie’should refer to the sound, and a way of doing things. If the sound isnt indie then what other genre is it in under?
This means Jet Jagger is Indie : D
awesome!