indie rock

The term "indie rock" is short for independent rock, and refers to a category of music in which many artists are on small independent labels or are unsigned, as opposed to being signed to major labels. Some artists, such as Death Cab For Cutie, are now signed to major labels, yet are still considered to be indie rock artists. Indie rock is a fairly ambiguous term, and can be used to define a wide variety of different bands and musicians. However, in general, indie rock musicians have a very strong do-it-yourself ethic, and do not change their sound to fit popular trends.
Indie rock artists are often played in heavy rotation on college radio stations, so this type of music is sometimes referred to as "college rock." Some of the earliest indie rock bands who met popular acclaim on campus stations were REM and 10,000 Maniacs. Many early indie rock artists hailed from Britain, including the Smiths, the Cure, and the Stone Roses. These artists rarely, if ever, made an appearance on the Billboard popular music charts. However, college stations often compiled their own lists of the most popular songs, often featuring these artists. Though musicians played on college rock stations did not necessarily make huge amounts of money, they often had strong fan bases among a younger crowd that are loyal to this day.
Today, there are many different styles of indie rock music. The low-fi style, epitomized by bands like Sonic Youth and Pavement, features an unpolished sound and frequent distortion. Artists like Devandra Bernhardt and Joanna Newsom, who perform experimental folk music, are labeled as "freak folk." Artists like Belle and Sebastian, who play bouncy, mostly acoustic music, are sometimes called "twee pop." New sub-branches of the indie rock scene are always developing.
There is a particular lifestyle often associated with people who listen to indie rock. Many of these people, who often dress in unique vintage clothes, are referred to as hipsters. Many cities have large indie rock scenes, particularly New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, among others. In such cities, the local independent rock bands have very strong followings, which helps them to expand into other areas.
Though some bands that were once considered to be indie rock are now quite successful, such as the Shins and Death Cab For Cutie, most indie rock bands are still under the radar and have to struggle to earn a living with their music. If you like an indie rock band's music, it is important to support them by legally purchasing their music, attending their shows, and recommending them to your friends whenever possible.