What "Indie" means?

Simply put, "indie" means independent from the mainstream. While some may say that a fan of indie culture, otherwise known as an "indie kid" or "hipster," is merely a cultural elitist in an ironic t-shirt, others would argue that being indie means embracing a noble set of values--namely authenticity, experimentalism, anti-commercialism, DIY and appreciation of the world beyond American pop culture. While indie enthusiasts do sometimes adopt a "cooler than thou" posture when bragging about, er...discussing their obscure interests, the overall attitude is admirable--"it's cool to be different."

Although the indie label has been applied to politics (the Green Party), fashion (threadless.com), magazines (BUST) and even computer game companies (Rockstar Games), the label most likely originated in the music and film industries. Ostensibly, indie rock does not have the financial support and is therefore not subject to the control of a major record label. Whether or not indie music has a specific style: new wave revivalist, Britpop jangly guitars, etc., is not agreed upon. According to urbandictionary.com, indie rock, such as Modest Mouse, Le Tigre and Stellastar, evolved from "lo-fi" experimental 1960's rock, the 1970's punk scene and the "alternative" rock movement of the early 90's. After the mainstream adopted "alternative" music such as No Doubt and REM, indie rock became the new alternative.

Like indie music, indie films are not tied to a major movie studio; therefore, they are typically more experimental and cutting edge. Independent movie making gained popularity in the late 1990's when major advances in digital video technology made filmmaking more affordable, allowing individuals to finance their films without corporations.

Not surprisingly, big chain stores like Barnes & Noble don't typically carry music and films produced by independent artists, therefore fans must spread the indie gospel on their own. This may explain the borderline obsessive collecting and cataloging of hard to find records and videos that are so rampant in indie circles. In addition, fans rely heavily on the web to promote their favorite underground projects and artists.

As you can imagine, with so many passionate fans of indie culture, who and what is truly "indie" is often in dispute. Musicians, such as Avril Lavigne and The Killers, are sometimes accused of being manufactured by record companies to look indie to capitalize on the credibility of the genre. Others who were once legitimately independent, such as The Strokes and Interpol, are later accused of selling out--trading artistic independence for commercial gain--when they sign with a major record label. Thankfully, not all indie artists sacrifice their reputation when they get rich and famous. Peter Jackson, for example, went from being a low-budget horror moviemaker to the acclaimed director of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy without losing the admiration of his indie fans.

As you can see, individuals tend to prioritize different aspects of the indie label. Some require a total rejection of mainstream commercialism, while others emphasize authenticity and experimentalism. And certainly, there are those who think being indie simply requires a rare record collection and a haughty attitude.