I really don't know what this term means any more. It used to be associated with bands or musicians who were on independent record labels. A lot of these bands are gathering a larger fan base and moving on to major record labels. Off the top of my head Wilco, Modest Mouse and Death Cab for Cutie are great examples of indie bands who have gained some mainstream recognition the past few years, though I'm not sure what kind of label they're on, it's safe to say that these bands have surpassed any sort of underground following and have broken into the mainstream. So are they not considered indie anymore? 

I suppose you have to attach your own definition to these labels we like to use to define the music we listen to.

     I've had conversations with people about indie music before, people who claim to love the stuff and after I start throwing some band names out there hoping to find a common ground for a conversation I get a blank stare.  I'm not the type to throw out really obscure band names either (I don't really know any to be honest), I just love the music I love and I have a lot of fun talking with people who love the same type of music as much as I do.  So when I'm met with a blank stare it's usually because people consider indie music to be the stuff they here on one of our two local "indie" radio stations here in San Diego. Both of these stations claim to be indie, and what they mean by indie is that they are not owned by any large corporation (which is debatable from what I've been told). So their listeners believe they are hearing indie music. And this baffles me. The music they play is the same music they've been playing since I was just an average radio listener in Jr. Highschool 15 years ago! These stations are like listening to one big album over and over again where you don't even get to choose the songs you hear. So I find it very discouraging that these stations are representing indie music to the mainstream when all they really play is mediocre alternative rock from the early 90's. 

     Indie music to me is something very special and very broad. From Andrew Bird to Yo La Tengo, indie music should be a reflection of the artist's many different influences. Indie bands should be pushing the boundaries in all of the genres they play. You should be able to hear the passion the musicians have for the music they love. For some of these bands you should be able to see right through them to the soul of their music, to the torch they are carrying from the bands they grew up being amazed by. There are a few bands that I know are doing just this: My Morning Jacket has the soul of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Wilco has the soul of The Eagles, Iron and Wine has the soul of Nick Drake, Built to Spill has the Soul of Neil Young, Guster has the Soul of the Beach Boys. I love this stuff. I love being able to get so much out of a sound. 

I love that Van Morrison can take me to a time and place I've never really known but have always wanted a taste of.

I love that the Calexico can immerse me so deep into a culture without having to even leave my house.

I love that the Silver Jews make me want to drive across a road that stretches on through so many states and miles that driving becomes more like a meditation than a chore.

I love that Built to Spill can make me feel more with a few beautifully layered guitars than any lyric I've ever heard.

I love that Neil Young's voice and harmonica can cut right through my core and hit me in the gut like a ton of bricks.

I love indie music and welcome to my live journal.