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?”

I was tipped off to Paper Rival as a recommendation based on As Tall As Lions. To me, these guys definitely have a bit of The Album Leaf sound also (which, I’m a huge fan of The Album Leaf).

From Paper Rival’s Last.FM Artist Page:

Paper Rival was an indie rock band formed in late 2005 from Nashville, Tennessee. Originally known as Keating, the band changed its name to Paper Rival in 2007 after a tour in Canada where the band was mistaken for a Canadian band who already possessed the name. In December 2007, Paper Rival was named Spin.com’s “Artist of the Day.” The band released its debut full-length album, Dialog on May 20, 2008. The group cites artists Broken Social Scene, Neutral Milk Hotel and Bruce Cockburn (whose song Pacing the Cage was covered on their 2007 self-titled EP) as musical inspirations.

I am loving the Bruce Cockburn cover, Pacing The Cage, and Home Is Right Out Your Window is really reminiscent of (mostly defunct) The Finalist’s Here With Me.

Which brings me to another point: as of right now, Paper Rival is no longer. However, their music lives on Amazon, so be sure to pick up some tracks for the iPod. Just because a band is long gone, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the music.