Indie..what does everyone think?

i just recently started college, and i've stumbled apon a lot of indie music.  And while some of it is pretty bland and predictible "indie", a lot of bands are great.  Sufjan Stevens is just as technical as any prog band, and is an amazing songwriter, Dungen is a great psychadelic influenced band from sweden, and My Morning Jacket's new cd is simply incredible...a perfect blend of southern rock and radiohead

in my opinion, the music scene is much better than it used to be back in the late 90's/early 00's...Bands like the Strokes are dissapearing and bands like Sigur Ros are gaining popularity..its not prog, but im satisfied

It's not like prog is the only, or even the best genre, lots of indie bands are great, as is Elton John, but aside their not being progressive, God bless them , and let they forever have winds in their sails (and sail away).

What does 'indie' mean nowadays - once it meant punk and left-field bands signed to independent record labels, not tied to the major record companies? It still means musicians not tied to the big record companies, and therefore have the ability to do their own thing (i.e. artist independence, which Allan Holdsworth has long held as essential), and more importantly see more of the profits from sales, even though marketing their art/product is more difficult. Wayne Krantz, the jazz fusion guitarist, is a classic example of a modern indie artist - check out his website for details as to why he is independent. Marillion were able to manipulate and enter the UK singles charts last years because of their indie status. Bill Berends leader of Mastermind, told me that unless a band sells 50,000 plus copies worldwide, even with prog specialist labels like Inside Out, they risk getting dropped. Mastermind recognise as an indie band by selling 5000 copies/year of an independently made and pressed up album, will allow that band to survive for another year. (BTW one very good reason for not copying indie artist's albums for your mates). And then there is God Speed ....................etc..

Saviorts wrote: Hey man, I'm not a huge fan of indie (mostly because of the fans and the idealism of it all) but I've listened to Dungen's "Ta Det Lugnt" album and found it really enjoyable, defenitely some progressive music. I recently went to a Boris concert in Philadelphia (they're a Japanese stoner-rock/doom metal band) and the scene was filled with rude indie kids.  It was a really irritating atmosphere.  I can understand the idea of bands and record labels being independent, but not dorky white college kids who are completely dependent on their parents' cash flow. So I think a lot of indie music can be progressive, and even if not progressive still entertaining and innovative, it's just the fans that keep me from really bothering to explore the genre (the same reason I'm not a huge fan of Pink Floyd, because everybody is a huge fan of Pink Floyd). In the end it is my own deficit for feeling this way, but I believe it to be a valid reaction.

I understand your reaction since I often fell myself like this (not only toward music). But don't deny yourself from what can possibly be great music. You can buy albums (or download them) without anyone knowing it.

For goodness sake, man, don't do this to yourself

Kylie Minogue was also 'Indie' for a long time, signed to an independant label. You would see her singles at number 1 in the Indie charts in the late 80's, alongside 'The men they couldn't hang' 'The Wedding Present' and other such bullsh!t.