What is indie music? ?

Question

I know it means independent but how is that a genre? Like what is the sound like?

Answer 1

She said it all.

Indie music is essentially music that is created on an independent label (you also hear indie movies, indie games, etc.).  I'm not sure what's the technicality of indie music, but I think you put it in the category along with mainstream (music that is created on a major record label) and unsigned music instead of putting it with pop, rap, etc.

Indie could really sound like be anything (indie pop, indie rock, indie rap which also would be underground rap).  I think it's just always been misinterpreted as only indie rock.

Answer 2

in fairness, indie music is non mainstream music usally on local or smaller labels.

The sound is largely based on location more than a type of catagory like rock ,pop etc.\ or genre.

There a lot of bands that start out as indie bands like REM that cross over into megaa mainstream.

Most stay under the radar and enjoy great success due to fans. They play the smaller festivals or even big ones like Coachella which is a mecca for indie bands or Reading, Bannaroo or Glastonbury or the Austin Music Festival  or North by Northwest in Toronto.

The music is usally less processed and bare to the soul goodness. A lot of well known artists take bands under thier wings and help them out...though not many go over the top like thier mentor success wise.

Indie music is great stuff. sideline magazine and URB are good sources to find out about new bands and such.