indie, defined.

Independent. Differnt. Straying from "the norm."
These are all words people think of when they hear about "indie music" or "indie films."
Some people get it. Some people are offended by the use of it.
But what does the word "indie" actually mean?

Urban Dictionary quotes: "The term: Short for independent rock. In terms of music it would be independent of major labels/mainstream stuff."

Scrolling down the definitions, I see alot of almost rants, like this one, that are particularly tied to indie music, explaining it as something of a sub-genra of alternative rock and examples of bands are given. All the bands listed have a similar type of sound. Can hip hop music not be indie then?Can not jazz? or even pop?

Even indie movies have the connotation of being ones that no one has seen, and have a "trippy" quality to them that give them a particular flavor. But do all indie movies really have to involve some type of drugs? Does the main character always have to be depressed? Do all indie films need to be shot in the heart of Sarcasticteenagerville?

In reality, the term indie means neither of these connotations. When something is categorized as being indie, (i stress not characterized) it means quite simply that the product was created by an independant process, on grounds from an independent idea. It doesn't matter in terms of where you see it or hear it, or what it looks like or sounds like at all. The term can not (and should not) be removed by any amount of popularity or success either. There are no standards of the product itself in its quality, presentation or sound.

In years prior to the myspace revolution, this definition was known and accepted. Since then, it has been merged, added to, and twisted to follow oppinions of people who claim to "like all things indie." The term indie has grown to be more of an idea, with a whole new set of rules and reguations. Today, people often say:

"oh that band isn't indie! They played MSG last summer!"
"Pshh, man that isn't as indie as it used to be."
"I used to like Little Miss Sunshine back when it was an indie film."
"I hate rap. I'm more into indie music now."

Used in these terms, the word "indie" seems to describe some type of jaded term people use to describe things so that they might sound "cooler" or more "unique" than someone else. Our culture has become obsessed with people trying to have their own ideas and like something different than the rest of the (to quote Julia Styles in 10 Things I Hate About You,) "meaningless consumer-driven world." And the even greater obsession? -Trying to get there first.

Independent artists have accidently and innocently been used as a crutch in this recent stirr of pop-culture madness. Independence in art is something well, to say it correctly, independent of the factor of popularity. It has nothing at all to do with its consumer and the way in which it is received. Independence lies rather, within the origin of the art. Some of the most popular forms of entertainment art are independent. The line between what separates Independent and not isn't necessarily as vague as culture makes it seem.

So, I hope this has been informative, and helped to untangle the knot. Don't leave it up to Susie McMyspace to tell you what's indie. Its out of her hands and beyond her ethical authority. Consider the artist. Consider the art. Consider the idea.