IsabellaT

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By Isabella Tognini Orange Stream

Research Questions: What are the historical roots of Indie Rock? Why was there a need to create Indie Rock as a subgenera to Rock N’ Roll? How has Indie Rock evolved from its early days? What does our generation think of Indie Rock?

Background/ Facts Indie rock was originally known as alternative rock and had it’s own subgenres such as grunge, glam rock, and Britpop. Some people trace its roots to underground music that dates as far back as the sixties. The Velvet Underground whose songs represented social realism and foretold the beginning of punk music and later alternative rock. It became mainstream as many bands from the 80’s such as Nirvana left for major labels but continued to identify themselves as alternative rock. Alternative originally referred to the fact that the genre was not played by radio stations, which instead preferred mainstream rock. Indie also refers to the use of recording through small “indie” labels or just didn’t have any label at all. In the early eighties British groups like the Smiths provided music that sprang from being trapped in a small town English wasteland. By the mid 80’s America had R.E.M. begin as an underground band that morphed into the biggest band in America at the time. As of now independent labels are at their highest. Though “Indie” stands for “Independent”, this genre of rock has become more of a fashion. It’s funky, lively, and has a broader appeal. Some people believe that “indie rock” isn’t a genre, it’s just rock played by people that have small labels. But over the years, the music style has become very popular. Recently, //Wired// magazine announced that You Tube launches its Partnership Program for Independent bands. This partnership with You Tube will enable bands that have no label to make money from the music videos played on You Tube.

Style Many Indie bands today are started by young adults (teenagers). Quite a few of them dropped out of high school or college to pursue their music careers. With that they have an open outlook on life, which makes most of their lives very active and usually pretty crazy. Being part of the new generation they strive to make a new world, one with peace, love, and freedom. Their influential music is sung in a tone that you normally would not listen too. Personally, when I think indie, I think about voices with an airy tone to it or maybe just a weird/odd style to it that somehow works.

How did The Pixies and Nirvana influence Indie Rock? //It's what the Pixies always said about music - they were writing songs and just trying not to be boring. That was their main motivation and it worked for them. I remember reading that and thinking that was the way to do it. – Jonny Greenwood//

//That was a time when I did love music, I couldn't get enough of what was going on. Maybe it was Nirvana that brought me back. I guess it was a comfort because something that sounded so right - and non-commercial - had become so influential, so immediately. – Marc Jacobs//

African Americans Life back in the 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s was a difficult time for African Americans to show their creative side. During that time many African Americans moved to Harlem, New York to receive a better life. Few succeeded, many failed. But to lift the sadness music was brought into the picture. The streets would be filled to the gill with jazz artists who hardly even knew at least two of the notes they were actually playing. Some musicians struck the eye of many people, but not having the money to afford to get a manager, so as to help them get night jobs at bars, held them back. At the same time African Americans knew they had to be spotted some way. Members of their family and many neighbors would help out by donating what they had and mentioned their name all over town. Calling your mother, father, or brother/sister your manager was a normal thing. For example; Billie Holiday’s first “manager” was her godmother. At thirteen and fourteen would take Billie out to small venues to perform for five minutes on stage. Most of the African American musicians we know today are all legends, and large labels did not support many of whom we know today.

Samples!

Band : Nirvana Song : About a girl Date : 1990

media type="file" key="5-10 About A Girl.mp3" width="240" height="20" This song was on the album of Nirvana's very first album. Which at the time as not a big hit until their second album (Nevermind) came out. Over the few years Nirvana was together they revised this song. The one I have posted for you is the revised version, I could not find the original. This song contains syncopation and polyrhythm. If you heard the guitarist and the drummer separately you would think that they were playing totally different songs. Kurt Cobain is singing with his guitar, the notes are the same and the rhythm is pretty close.

Band : The Pigeon Detectives Song : I Found Out Date : 2008

media type="file" key="I Found Out.mp3" width="240" height="20" As of now, The Pigeon Detectives is an Indie Band. But because of their awesomely funky music they have gained the viewings of many young people and have recently become very popular. They are working on a new album that should be released in the next year or so depending on if they sign for a band label. The instruments in this song go along quite well together. I would venture to say that this song contains a lot of call & response. When the vocalist stops singing the instrument volume goes down and the other band members respond.

Artist : Ani DiFranco Song : 32 Flavors Date : 1995

media type="file" key="Ani DiFranco - 32 Flavors (HQ) [www.keepvid.com].3gp" width="300" height="300" This song does not represent syncopation at all. Throughout the whole song she basically stays in the same voice range. Very seldom does she take a second to take a breath, most of her lyrics is said all together, almost as if she doesn't put spaces between her words. I think that's what makes Ani DiFranco such an interesting musician. She has such a great voice and she knows how to use it.

Bibliography

The US Government,. "History: Fast Facts." //U.S. Census Bureau//. 1990. 2010. Web.  The US Government,. "History: Fast Facts." //U.S. Census Bureau//. 2000. 2010. Web.  "Indie Rock." //Silver Dragon Records//. Silver Dragon Records, 2007. Web. 1 Jun 2010. . "Indie rock: A brief history." //Entertainment - music//. Helium, 2006. Web. 1, june, 2010. . "History Of Indie-Rock. Part 1: Origins And The 80s." //ultimate-guitar//. ultimate-guitar, 11/11/2009. Web. 1 Jun 2010. .