1. Genre analysis
Chosen song: Arcade fire – ‘suburban war’
Genre: Indie Rock
Indie Rock is a known genre derived from alternative rock. Originating from the
UK and USA in the 1980’s. It is known to be extremely diverse with sub genre’s
that include Indie pop, jangle pop, C86 and lo-fi among many others.
The genre was originally used to describe bands that had an outside sound to
those becoming more mainstream in chart succession and retained a more
underground sound. However since the 2000’s and also the huge changes to the
music industry, many bands of this genre are now known to be of a more
commercial success and also the satisfaction of being this commercial, which
begins to question the authenticity of the genre’s originality and if its being
maintained from its original roots.
Characteristics:
Originating from independent, the genre is best used to describe the small and
low budget labels and the ‘do it yourself attitude’ the bands have. With the labels
and artists diverting away from chart succession, has allowed them to achieve so
much more with experiments of new sounds leaving them to freely explore
emotions never heard expressed in music as well as subjects of limited appeal
but released to a large mass of mainstream audiences.
Influences and styles are extremely diverse in the genre: taking in aspect of
genres ranging from punk, psychedelia to rock and country. However following
the success of Nirvana, many bands went into the mainstream success, which
then created the term ‘indie rock’ to best describe the bands working in a similar
style that did not pursue or achieve commercial success.
History
1980’s: during the mid 80’s the term indie was used to best describe music
created/produced on the labels instead of the labels individuality. The
determination of what was indie was prefigured by college rock that dominated
college radio in the US. This included bands such as REM from the US and The
Smiths from the UK. Bands such as these heavily denied the use of current
dominant synth pop elements. The term indie rock was mostly associated with
bands using abrasive distortion heavy sounds such as ‘the pixies’, ‘Dinosaur Jr’
and ‘the replacements’.
A number of prominent indie rock labels were founded during the 1980’s. These
included Washington, DC’s Dischord Records in 1980, Seattle’s Sub Pop records
in 1986 and New York City’s Matador Records and Durham, North Carolina’s
Merge Records in 1989.

2. Development 1990’s:
The 1990’s were heavily recognized for the huge changes of alternative rock,
with the mainstream release of such grunge bands as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Sound
garden and Alice in chains. Punk revival bands were also noted under the title of
alternative with the release of green day and sum 41. Similarly in the UK Britpop
saw bands like blur and oasis bloom into mainstream leaving behind the original
elements of the 1980’s indie scene.
Due to the changes, alternative began to refer to new commercially lighter forms
of music. However the term ‘indie rock’ stayed associated with the bands and
genres that remained dedicated to their independent status.
Mainstream success 2000’s:
In the 2000’s the decline in record sales, the changing music industry, the
modern use of internet promotion and the growth of new digital technology
allowed a new generation of indie rock bands to flourish.
More musically and emotionally complex bands were able to enter chart
succession. Such as Modest mouse, bright eyes and death cab for cutie; all
achieving huge chart recognition reaching platinum sales worldwide and
Grammy nominations.
Modern artists.
Common bands artist’s today associated with ‘indie rock’ are the likelihood of
bloc party, arcade fire, the black keys, the strokes and Radiohead. These bands
are the current generation of indie rock and beginning to progress with the use
of electronica, as that is now the most influential sound going. Indie rock
continues to progress with the continuous changing industry and new uses of
digital sound.