INDIE POP

Lydia Harris
 Where did it come from?
The indie-pop genre came off the heels of the British post punk era, which was considered “indie” as
it went against the conventional mainstream of the time. During the late 1970s, and as the punk era
ended, pop and indie were almost considered the same thing. However indie pop still found its own
category as artists were never as glamorous as pop singers, but the lyrics of their songs were never
as gritty as the previous indie music of the time, which origins were very punk e.g The Velvet
Underground. The genre would further stand out against its other counter part indie rock, with its
angst and abrasiveness which was more similar to its original form.
Originating from guitar pop, combined with a DIY ethic suggesting that anyone can build
themselves into the genre without a famous record company behind them. We see how this idea
has evolved in the modern age through websites like Youtube, a place where audience members
can become their own artists like Dodie, Tessa Violet, Conan Gray etc

POST INDIE
PUNK POP
//
INDIE UK- The Velvet US- Talking Heads UK- Dodie Clark US- Tessa Violet US- Conan Gray
Underground
Who owns indie?: C86 vs Sarah Records
C86 was a compilation cassette tape filled with artists from independent record labels, released May of 1986 by
British music magazine NME. Despite having other genres of music features on the tape, over time the name C86
became a shorthand term for the guitar based musical genre that would evolve to be more commonly known as
indie music.
The rise of C86 also brought about a social and political shift. Martin Whitehead, who ran an independent music
label that specified in indie called The Subway Organization from 1985-1990, said how C86 changed the role
women had in the music industry; from “only being eye-candy in a band” to “women promoting gigs, writing
fanzines (fan magazines) and running labels.”
Many recognise C86 as being one of the most pivotal moments for independent/ indie music in the UK, but it is up
to deliberation. Some say that Sarah Records is more deserving of such a title as they solely stuck to the particular
indie sound, while C86 was simply a compilation of many genres and artists that just so happened to be
independent.
Sarah Records was an independent record label started by Clare Wadd and Matt Haynes from Bristol in
November 1987.Critics of the company inside the UK would more often then not be hostile, leaving the label to be
caught up in sexist remarks about the labels female co founder Wadd or even the companies female name. They
did have greater success outside of the UK in countries like Germany and Japan, but the sexist remarks from
“largely male journalists” would continue till the record companies closure in August 1995. Despite all this, Sarah
Records would go on to be declared the second greatest indie label of all time in March 2015 by NME, beaten to
the top spot by London based label 4AD, and congratulated for its “legacy is in thinking gloriously big, and
believing that a label is more than a catalogue of disparate releases.”- NME
 Examples

Blueboys- Boys Don’t Matter The Servants- Transparent

The Sea Urchins- Pristine Shop Assistants- It’s Up To You

Christine
Another Sunny Day- I’m in Love With Miaow- Sport Most Royal
a Girl Who Doesn’t Know I Exist