The Meaning Of 'Indie'?

[Vin]

So, just wondering where this word originated from and why it is used. What does 'indie' mean? Is it another term for folk? Are folk and 'indie' related or very similar. What determines a song or film of being 'indie.' Once again, just curious...

...Vin

[Jose_XO]

something iwth india ????

[Cooby]

Indie = Independent

Related to the music that's made without any producer than the singer or songwriter, this is almost imposible, so indie is considered also when the singer makes most of the job without going mainstream

Nelly was considered indie with Folklore

[Vin]

Well, that makes sense. Thanks Cooby.

That explains why most indie films and music tend to be either really good...or extremely awkward and uncomfortable to the mainstream crowd, such as I.

...Vin

[Cooby]

^ Yup, I feel uncomfortable with most indie music

But I found Emilie Simon months ago and she's really good and artistic

I recommend you to listen her songs "The Frozen World", "All is White" and "The Song of the Storm"

[Nel]

I assumed Indie just meant that a movie or CD has no distribution or record contract. So Folklore is not indie.

Most indie movies participate in festivals because they want to generate buzz and hopefully a distributor picks them up, right?

[Cooby]

^ Nah, Franz Ferdinand and Interpol are considered Indie and they have a lot of distribution and a fine contract.

Most indie movies participate in festivals because they're more artistic, less mainstream and less selling-oriented, that's it

[finewine]

You're very smart Cooby

[Vin]

From a Marketing/Public Relations Standpoint: Why couldn't music or film be indie, yet be structured for the mainstream. I don't see the reasoning behind expressing oneself so freely in film or music as to alienate everyone else from viewing or listening to it. It's not self expression if there's no one to express it to...

...Vin

[finewine]

The word "indie" has lost its meaning in the last couple of years. Maybe because a lot of the most important indie bands have been signed by a major label. These days "indie" is more associated to "alternative".