Indie Music - Where is it Heading?

Indie music…what exactly does this terminology mean when describing a musician and where is indie music heading? Here are a few of my thoughts...

I have been pondering this for a while and have wanted to share my feelings on this genre.  I suppose what promoted this entry was the release of the 2012 Grammy Nominations as well as several recent television performances. The sheer enjoyment I get from seeing independent artists being accepted into mainstream music blows me away.  Bon Iver, Mumford and Sons, Wilco, and more were nominated for this year’s Grammy awards as well as several television appearances have been made by Iron and Wine, She & Him, and Ingrid Michaelson . Seems like the indie industry is gaining ground and is on fire with recent acceptance.

My first question is who is considered to be independent? Well, I guess to be considered an independent musician one must be ’independent’ from mainstream record labels. But why would an artist want this?  Doesn’t society teach us that worldwide fame and recognition means you have ‘made it’ in the industry?  Why wouldn’t an artist strive to become the cream of the crop?  Well, I feel there may be a couple reasons they would either choose to be independent or be forced away from music dominators. Let’s break it down, shall we?

Non-choice?  Unfortunately cost is a factor.  To hire a mainstream producer or engineer, let alone studio time to record an album, can run an artist into the hundreds of thousands of dollars or more. This would not even include distribution or publicity for one’s music. Indie artists typically write, record and produce their own work which can be an expensive feat when starting on your own.

Choice? I feel major record labels could inhibit pure artist interpretation and freedom. Do all large corporate record labels design an artist to what they feel will sell records?  From music to lyrics, to how an artist looks seems to be molded and formed by the record label. Musicians are used in a way to make money and they lose what is important, the music.  Now I am not saying this occurs with all artists on a major label, some have been able to remain themselves through the process, but not the majority.

One thing I find amazing is that with today’s technology there is no waiting. There is no waiting for that one person in the audience to ‘believe’ in you, that one person that will give you a chance to show the world your music. All you need is to believe in yourself and you could just have a comfortable music career doing what you love. With today’s technology and the ability to send your sound over social networking and internet sites it has made it easier for the artist’s raw organic sound to become present in today’s market.

              So I leave you with this…with the way independent artists have gained exposure…will we begin to lose the beauty of independence and will it all be washed away into the main stream? Is this a bad thing? I have very mixed feelings and it is definitely something to consider.