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.

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.