Genre Research

Indie/Rock

What Is Indie Rock? •  The meaning of the term "indie rock" is contested today by many musicians,

fans and commentators. Some use the term "indie" to describe any music produced by artists working within the network of Independent record labels and underground music venues that emerged in the United States and elsewhere in 1980's and 1990's. Others understand indie rock as a distinct genre of rock music with a specific artistic aesthetic, and care less about the context in which it is made. Many embrace both meanings of the word, believing that the aesthetics of the genre and its means of production are deeply intertwined.

•  Indie rock artists are known for placing a premium on maintaining complete control of their music and careers, releasing albums on independent record labels and relying on touring, word-of-mouth, airplay on independent or college radio stations and, in recent years, the Internet for promotion. However, in the 2000's many acts with a musical style identified as "indie" signed to major record labels or their subsidiaries, and began promoting themselves through more traditional media outlets. This has led to a further blurring in the meaning of the term.

Early Influences •  The roots of modern indie rock are often traced back to The Velvet

Undergrounds self titled debut album, released in 1967, which was ranked number 7 on Blender's list of the 100 greatest indie rock albums. Allmusic notes that every "left-of-center rock movement owes an audible debt" to this album. The Beach Boysʼ 1966 album Petsounds is also commonly listed as a highly influential starting point, as are the 1960s concept albums of the Kinks Later, the punk movement of the 1970s had a direct impact on the DIY aesthetic that later became a cornerstone of indie rock.

Artists old and new •  The Smiths, The Stone Roses, Happy Mondays, My Bloody Valentine, The

Pixies etc

•  Biffy Clyro, The Script, You me at six, Feeder

The Pixies •  The Pixies are an American alternative rock band that formed in BOSTON

IN 1986.The group disbanded in 1993 but came back together in 2004.Whilst The Pixies had little success in their home country they were greatly successful in the U.K and Europe although they never ,managed to have the mainstream success with their studio albums .The bands style of alternative rock had a major influence on the 1990’s boom of indie rock. Although they made few albums, songs like ‘velouria and wave of mutilation’ gave them a cult following. The Pixies are credited with making popular extreme dynamics and stop start timing that would come to define alternative rock. David bowie,radiohead,U2,nirvana,The cure are amongst many bands that are said to be influenced by the band.

Biffy Clyro •  Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock band from Ayrshire. Biffy Clyro's popularity

increased further in 2008 and 2009 with the release of the singles "Mountains" and "That Golden Rule", which both reached the top 10 of the UK singles chart. The band have become known for using complex and interwoven guitar riffs, unusual time signatures and chord sequences and melodies that often change throughout songs. The band say they have been influenced by the music of heavy metal luminaries like Metallica whilst critics link their sounds to the likes of Nirvana and the Foo Fighters,and particularly The Pixies in their use of shifting dynamics.

Indie Labels •  Many major labels have forseen the boom in indie music and as a

result have set up subsidaries or bought independent labels to cater to this music. for eg ; EMI is a very successful music company which has signed various bands which fall under the rock or indie genre including: David Bowie, Foo Fighters, Kate Bush, Blur and many more…

•  Echo is a less mainstream music company but has signed people like Feeder who we are using as one of our bands main influences.

•  Biffy Clyro are signed to 14th Floor Records which was originally an independent music company but now is in a joint partnership with Warner music. They have also signed The Wombats which are an indie band, also Damien Rice who does much softer music.