indie rock
Non-mainstream guitar music
Indie rock is rock music produced independently of major record labels, though the term now describes a sound as much as a business model.
The style typically features guitar-driven arrangements with an emphasis on artistic expression over commercial polish: I've been really into indie rock lately.
What began as a distribution category in the 1980s evolved into a genre encompassing everything from jangly pop to abrasive noise rock.
Imperfect audio quality, informally
- shoegazeDistortion-heavy ethereal rock
- emoConfessional rock subgenre
- dream popAtmospheric, reverb-heavy musical style
- baroque popOrchestral-infused pop genre
Belief in personal creation
- zinesAmateur self-published booklets
- college radioStudent-operated broadcast outlet
- underground sceneNon-mainstream artistic community
- PitchforkDigital music journalism outlet
all-ages shows · record stores · cassette tapes · Bandcamp · house shows · grassroots · cult following · authenticity
Indie rock trio
- Arcade FireMontreal-based indie rock collective
- Bright EyesAlert, eager expression
- WilcoRadio acknowledgment of orders
- InterpolGlobal police cooperation organization
The Strokes · The Shins · Radiohead · Pixies · Sonic Youth · The Smiths · R.E.M. · Arctic Monkeys
Twisting from original state
- reverbProlonged sound reflection
- melodic hooksMemorable musical phrases
- feedbackReturned response data
- tremoloRapid tonal wavering
chorus effect · lo-fi aesthetic · power chords · arpeggios · wall of sound · tape hiss
Major California music festival
- GlastonburyMajor English music festival
- SXSWTexas multimedia festival abbreviation
- festival circuitSequence of curated cultural events
- headlinerTop-billed performer
Rundown neighborhood taverns
- basement showsUnlicensed residential concerts
- warehouse partiesGatherings in storage facilities
- standing roomArea for standing audience
- sticky floorsAdhesive walking surface
merch table · opening act · encore · mosh pit · crowd surfing · stage diving · sold-out show · guest list
lo-fi
Imperfect audio quality, informally
DIY ethic
Belief in personal creation
- zinesAmateur self-published booklets
- college radioStudent-operated broadcast outlet
- underground sceneNon-mainstream artistic community
Pitchfork · all-ages shows · record stores · cassette tapes · Bandcamp · house shows · grassroots · cult following · authenticity
Modest Mouse
Indie rock trio
- Arcade FireMontreal-based indie rock collective
- Bright EyesAlert, eager expression
- WilcoRadio acknowledgment of orders
The Strokes · The Shins · Interpol · Radiohead · Pixies · Sonic Youth · The Smiths · R.E.M. · Arctic Monkeys · Tame Impala
distortion
Twisting from original state
- reverbProlonged sound reflection
- melodic hooksMemorable musical phrases
- feedbackReturned response data
tremolo · chorus effect · lo-fi aesthetic · power chords · arpeggios · wall of sound · tape hiss
Coachella
Major California music festival
- GlastonburyMajor English music festival
- SXSWTexas multimedia festival abbreviation
- festival circuitSequence of curated cultural events
dive bars
Rundown neighborhood taverns
- basement showsUnlicensed residential concerts
- warehouse partiesGatherings in storage facilities
- standing roomArea for standing audience
sticky floors · merch table · opening act · encore · mosh pit · crowd surfing · stage diving · sold-out show · guest list · green room
- musicmusic, song, songs, singing, singer
- music genresblues, pop, jazz, classical, country
- American musicjazz, blues, country music, country, hip hop
- rock genresheavy metal, metal, punk, grunge, Britpop
- rock musicelectric guitar, guitar solo, guitar riff, guitar riffs, power chords
- band music stylesjazz, pop, blues, funk, soul
indie rockmainstream pop
Widely popular commercial music
Top 40 · radio pop · arena rock · stadium rock · bubblegum pop
rock, independent, rocks, independence, rocking, rocked, rocker, independently, rockers