indie kid

An indie kid is someone, typically a teenager or young adult, whose identity centers on independent music, art, and fashion outside the mainstream.

The term emerged in the 2000s alongside indie rock's rise.

Indie kids favor thrift store clothing, obscure bands, and cultivate tastes that signal authenticity over popularity: She was a total indie kid in high school, always discovering bands before anyone else.

The label can be affectionate or dismissive, depending on whether you see genuine passion or studied pose.