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Sir Pepoy Josepito
Super Special Awesome
Joined: 02 Dec 2008
Posts: 603
Location: in sanity
Sun Dec 14, 2008 2:23 am |
 Post subject: Intro to Indie: Gateway to the Alternative - Starter's Kit 1 |
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A Beginner's Guide
That was supposed to be in the title so it would be real long, like any self-worshiping band would have their songs named, but there's just not enough space. 
Anyway, we've already had a... rocky start with REALLY FAST GUITARS EPIC DRAGONS AWESOME RIFF band so I intend to fix that with this topic to introduce you guys to the wonderful world of HIP PRETENTIOUS INDIE MUSIC.
Now wait, you're probably wondering in your puny brain "dur hur wut es indeh dur dur hur", right? Of course you are, you close-minded neanderthal! I'm always right! So let me clear up any confusion as to what the term "indie" really means in the world of music.
Strictly speaking, the term "indie" basically describes a group or an artist not signed to a major record label (ex. Warner, EMI, Sony, Universal) which includes any sub-label owned by those major labels.
But of course, words are merely abstract symbols and undergo change in definition, taking in more and/or shedding old ones, and this case is no exception. Indie, to many people, has become more than just "do-it-yourself producing/being under an independent label". It has become an umbrella term for music that has that "distinct" sound... that sound that just screams "**** mainstream".
Of course, it doesn't mean that just because it doesn't sound like mainstream music (music you'll hear on the radio/see on MTV), it'll sound incredibly different and nothing you've ever heard of. Music under specific genres will still follow certain conventions but the difference will be entirely new presentations of the "formula" or the musicians will tackle new subject matters or there will simply be much better musicianship... or a combination of all those things. Yes, there are several bands/artists out there that absolutely break all the norms of mainstream music and create something entirely different but I'm not going to scare you off by diving straight into the deep waters.
Now that we're done with all the lengthy jibba-jabba, let's get down to business... to what you really came into this topic for. The music, of course! I'll start you off with what elitists would like to call "surface indie" or the more hilarious but much more negative label "entry level garbage"! Even when you're already listening to "hip new music", you'll still be leagues below me! Feel the inferiority!
Some of these bands/artists don't necessarily fit the strict definition of "indie" while some used to but are now signed onto major labels and there also some who came back to being truly independent.
I've arranged the bands/artists by genre so if you're particularly into one, you can go ahead with that one genre and skip the rest. But if you have the time, do try and check everything out. I left out some genres like punk and jazz and R&B because I have to admit that even I have limits to my musical knowledge. I can't say I really did get into those genres so I still have much more to learn. If anyone can claim some knowledge or expertise on those genres, feel free to add to this topic. Just remember to keep it in line with the "indie/alt" theme. I don't want to see any "pop-punk" (a garbage genre, something that shouldn't even exist) or your mainstream R&B.
The details are neatly arranged in order of Band/Artist name, the album I recommend you first look up, and a song from that album (taken from YouTube). Some have official videos, some don't. Since this is mostly "alternative" music, you're bound to see either really cool videos or really weird/pretentious/WTF videos. But the number one priority here is the music so try not to brush off the song if the video isn't to your liking.
Here you go!
Pop
Catchy tunes all around but not quite the same "love and happiness" you hear from mainstream pop.
The Decemberists
Picaresque
16 Military Wives
The New Pornographers
Mass Romantic
Letter From An Occupant
of Montreal
Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer?
Gronlandic Edit
Rock
AWESOME RIFFS
Queens of the Stone Age
Rated R
Feel Good Hit of the Summer
Modest Mouse
The Moon & Antarctica
Tiny Cities Made of Ashes
Ted Leo & the Pharmacists
The Tyranny of Distance
Stove Like A Whale
TV on the Radio
Return to Cookie Mountain
Wolf Like Me
Rap
Rap that's fun and/or socially aware, that has witty wordplay and cool flow, and doesn't have anything to do with "hos, bling-bling, and busting a cap on yo' ass". Fo' real.
Jurassic 5
Quality Control
The Influence
Deltron 3030
Deltron 3030
Positive Contact
Aesop Rock
Labor Days
No Regrets
Metal
Fast and loud, you've got your growling vocals, your incredible guitar and drum work, and that in your face attitude. Actually, that's only really the case for the first one since I can't say that I'm really that big of a metalhead. The other two are more like the following genre, instrumental, atmospheric, and has lots of build up. But they still have the metal influences in them as the guitars reach a sort of brutality at points and the drumming is just as good. You just won't hear the screams and it won't be in your face. All the time, at least.
Mastodon
Leviathan
Blood and Thunder
Russian Circles
Enter
Death Rides A Horse
Isis
Oceanic
Carry
Post-Rock
Instrumental, atmospheric, and has lots of build up. Well, the first one has vocals but it's in some unique form of Icelandic and blends into the beautiful music as well. Really moody pieces we have here. Most songs in this genre usually last longer than 5 minutes so be in it for the long run. Trust me, it pays off beautifully if you give it the time and you really listen to it.
Sigur Rós
Ágćtis byrjun
Svefn-g-englar
Explosions in the Sky
The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place
The Only Moment We Were Alone
Godspeed You! Black Emperor
F♯A♯∞
The Dead Flag Blues
Electronica
BEEP BOOP BOOP BEEP BOP. Seriously though, after listening to the albums I've listed here, you'll be amazed at the multitude of sounds "electronic equipment" can produce.
Air
Moon Safari
Sexy Boy
Thom Yorke
The Eraser
Harrowdown Hill
Aphex Twin
Windowlicker
Windowlicker
Boards of Canada
Music Has The Right To Children
Roygbiv
Electropop
Drum machines, synths, "REAL INSTRUMENTS", catchy tunes and that voice will lead to something electronic and something pop. Up-beat and down-tempo, you'll find both here.
The Postal Service
Give Up
Such Great Heights
Boy Eats Drum Machine
Two Ghosts
3000 Flares
Dance
HOT BEATS. Seriously, ff these songs don't make you jump out of your seat and start busting moves, you are hopeless. Seriously.
Justice
†
D.A.N.C.E
edIT
Certified Air Raid Material
Certified Air Raid Material
Girl Talk
Feed the Animals
Play Your Part Pt. 1
Trip-Hop
Time to slow things down a bit, get entranced by the vocals and take in the spacey, soothing sound.
Zero 7
Simple Things
Destiny
Massive Attack
Mezzanine
Teardrop
Portishead
Third
Machine Gun
Female Singer/Songwriters
This really isn't a genre but I just have a thing for solo female musicians. These are the ones I like.
Regina Spektor
Soviet Kitsch
Us
Feist
The Reminder
My Moon My Man
Cat Power
The Greatest
The Greatest
Amanda Palmer
Who Killed Amanda Palmer
Oasis
"Classics"
Again, not really a genre but here are the must haves, the cornerstones for the "indie cred" you truly want to establish. Plus, it's all good music, too, so it's not just for show!
Radiohead
OK Computer
Paranoid Android
Pixies
Doolittle
Here Comes Your Man
My Bloody Valentine
Loveless
Only Shallow
Sonic Youth
Daydream Nation
Teenage Riot
Tom Waits
Rain Dogs
Downtown Train
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground & Nico
Sunday Morning
OPM
Yeah, again, not really a genre but we need some local representation here! You've got your rock/rap fusion spiked with social commentary in Dicta-License, your trip-hop/soul food in Up Dharma Down, and your crazy blend of jazz/punk/bebop/cha-cha with that distinct QC sound in Radioactive Sago Project. We Filipinos can make cool, hip indie music, too!
Dicta-License
Pag-hilom
Ang Ating Araw
Up Dharma Down
Fragmented
Maybe
Radioactive Sago Project
Tangina Mo Andaming Nagugutom Sa Mundo Fashionista Ka Parin
Wasak Na Wasak
Experimental
Stuff that I can't quite categorize or I have to resort to pulling out those intimidating made-up genres like freak folk or neo-psychedelia or avant-garde. So I just decided to lump them all together in this nifty label.
Akron/Family
Love Is Simple
Ed Is A Portal
Mr. Bungle
Mr. Bungle
Quote Unquote
Animal Collective
Strawberry Jam
Peacebone
Happy listening and feedback is absolutely welcomed. I want to see what you guys think of the music. It'd be great to finally have people to talk about the music I listen to. Cai doesn't count because she's not "people".
If you managed to listen to everything here and at the very least appreciate the music, consider yourself HIP.
As for actually looking the part, you'll have to ask Cai for the fashion tips.
oh and
the game
_________________
the word
Last edited by Sir Pepoy Josepito on Tue Dec 16, 2008 11:17 am; edited 2 times in total |
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AwesomeX
Will beam YOU up, Scotty
Joined: 01 Dec 2008
Posts: 80
Mon Dec 15, 2008 2:55 am |
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I'm not entirely comfortable with the "indie" label (and "alternative" label for that matter) -- probably as we use it today, though I do recognize the genre's contributions (The Smiths, The Stone Roses, Blur, The Cure, R.E.M., The Pixies, Joy Division to name a few bands that were originally indie or at least easily recognizable as indie. I'm surprised you didn't cite some of them as major influences, but props to you for putting down OK Computer. Gotta love Thom Yorke.)
While I haven't listened to (or even heard of) some of the groups you listed down here, I'm surprised at your OPM choices (well only for Up Dharma Down, I'm not obviously a fan... the vibrato gets grating.) Seeing as you are heavily supporting these bands, I might check them out sometime, in the future, later, maybe.
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"Men were men back then, I'll tell ya. If you wanted to do something private with another man, it wasn't gay, no. It was just two men...celebrating each other's strength." |
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Uncle Gravy
Filter Fighter
Joined: 12 Dec 2008
Posts: 471
Mon Dec 15, 2008 3:30 am |
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I don't like the label "indie" either. It connotes a negative attitude towards mainstream (or, as you put it, "*bleep* mainstream"), and avoiding mainstream isn't exactly a good idea, hurr.
You definitely took some time to write all that out, so I promise I'm going to read all of that some time in the near future. I do.
Since there are a lot I haven't heard of, I'll just comment on what I have, and will probably look up the others later.
The Decemberists - You know I love them. It doesn't hurt that Colin isn't ugly, yaknow.
The New Pornographers - Heard a few songs. They're alright.
Modest Mouse - A bit noisy from what I've heard.
Sigur Rós - I do not understand why some songs blow my mind and others just plainly blow. I guess what I mean is they're inconsistent.
Portishead - Yey, Portishead
Regina Spektor - Not a fan.
Radiohead - Creep. Just kidding, I might try them out again.
Dicta License - I am ashamed to say I bought that album with my hard-saved money a few years ago. I like maybe three out of all the songs. Most of them sound alike, really.
Up Dharma Down - not from what I've heard
Radioactive Sago Project - They are better live, I guess.
I'm hearing good things about of Montreal (I thought it was a song by The Stills), Queens of the Stone Age, Massive Attack, Mastodon, and Godspeed You! from other forums I used to frequent (they are now non-existent, both of them), so I'll probably look those up next.
Oh boy, I can't wait to be hip. This calls for a shades emoticon. 
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Job McBadass
Douche (Retired)
Joined: 01 Dec 2008
Posts: 920
Location: In the Moment
Mon Dec 15, 2008 10:46 am |
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God bless you for having Tom Waits in there.
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love,
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Sir Pepoy Josepito
Super Special Awesome
Joined: 02 Dec 2008
Posts: 603
Location: in sanity
Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:23 pm |
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Well, I'm into indie/alt and I still love to listen to some mainstream music. Liking indie doesn't always mean hating anything mainstream.
Anyway, if you guys find anything interesting (YOU REALLY SHOULD) and want to "acquire" an album which I recommended but have trouble looking, just pm me or send me a message on ym and I can hook you up.
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Bag Lady
Poozer
Joined: 01 Dec 2008
Posts: 22
Location: House with the ugly-coloured gate
Tue Dec 16, 2008 4:11 am |
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Oooh ~*~indie~*~. That word makes everybody who uses it sound extremely pretentious. Damn you, Pitchfork! Damn you!
Anyway, my little Mormon heart died at not seeing Wolf Parade being mentioned! Listen to my husband Spencer Krug, please.
Also, if one mentions Animal Collective, then Fireworks should be included! I never get tired of that song, honestly. |
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Sir Pepoy Josepito
Super Special Awesome
Joined: 02 Dec 2008
Posts: 603
Location: in sanity
Tue Dec 16, 2008 10:43 am |
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I kinda regret forgetting about the Pixies for the "Classics" section SO NOW I PUT THEM UP but as for the others, I can't say I've listened to them enough and I just got bored with the Stone Roses.
And I don't think Wolf Parade is for starters.
AND GOD FORGIVE ME FOR FORGETTING SONIC YOUTH
AND MY BLOODY VALENTINE
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Job McBadass
Douche (Retired)
Joined: 01 Dec 2008
Posts: 920
Location: In the Moment
Fri Jul 03, 2009 9:43 pm |
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Should have stickied this a long time ago.
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MirageKnightNein
Poozer
Joined: 09 Apr 2010
Posts: 1
Location: New Crobuzon
Sun Apr 11, 2010 6:56 pm |
| Post subject: The Brits are the Bomb |
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Personally, the only worthy music in the past three decades or so were created by the Brits and assimilated by other cultures...
These are Shoegazer and Drum and Bass.
Nothing else comes close.
Although I still listen to Speed Metal (DragonForce= Nintendo Speed Metal), Death Metal (Emperor still rocks), and even New Wave...since I grew up with these...still my Desert Island list will be composed of Shoegaze and Drum and Bass songs...
Sharing a secret....the best source for Shoegaze is ShoegazerAlive, or for live streaming: Vertigo at live365.com
There are also an infinite number of Drum and Bass internet radio stations
Tresspassers William is my current LSS provider. |
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