5 Indie Rock Music Labels You Need to Know About
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If you’re a fan of indie rock music, then you need to know about these 5 music labels. From established to up-and-coming, these companies are making a name for themselves in the industry.
Defining “Indie Rock”
When most people think of rock music, they think of a mainstream sound that is often heard on the radio. Indie rock is a subgenre of rock music that is not as well known, but is growing in popularity. Indie rock is typically defined as music that is created by independent artists. These artists are not signed to a major label and often have more control over their music.
The difference between “indie rock” and “indie pop”
Indie rock is a genre of rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the 1970s. Originally used to describe independent record labels, the term became associated with the music they produced and was initially used interchangeably with alternative rock or “guitar pop rock”. In the 1980s, the use of the term “indie” started to shift from its reference to recording companies to describe the style of music produced on punk and post-punk labels. During the 1990s, grunge and punk revival bands in the US and Britpop bands in the UK broke through into the mainstream, and the term “indie rock” became used to describe these bands and genres.
Indie pop is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s. It differs from indie rock in that it has a lighter, more poppy sound.
What are the key characteristics of “indie rock” music?
Indie rock is a genre of popular music that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1970s. Originally used to describe independent record labels, the term became associated with the music they produced and was initially used interchangeably with alternative rock or “guitar pop rock”. By the end of the 1990s, indie rock developed several subgenres and related styles, including lo-fi, noise pop, emo, slowcore, post-rock, and math rock. In the 2000s, changes in the music industry and a growing importance of the Internet enabled a new wave of indie rock bands to achieve mainstream success.
Characteristics of indie rock include DIY ethic; independence from major label control; relatively low-budget production values; and an aesthetic more focused on songcraft rather than studio production polish. Indie rock stresses artistic expression and an innate grasp of what constitutes “rock” music as opposed to commercial, mainstream forms of popular music. The term has been used to describe artists as diverse as Sonic Youth and Pavement who achieved considerable popularity in the 1990s.
5 Indie Rock Music Labels You Need to Know About
The American indie rock music scene is vast and filled with plenty of talent. If you’re looking to get into the indie rock music scene, then you need to know about these five labels.
Merge Records
Based in Durham, North Carolina, Merge Records was founded in 1989 by Laura Ballance and Mac McCaughan, who were also members of the band Superchunk. The label’s first release was Superchunk’s debut EP “Sloppy,” and its roster has since included such prolific artists as the Magnetic Fields, Spoon, the Arcade Fire, Neutral Milk Hotel, and Waxahatchee. Merge is also home to the seminal grunge-era band Dinosaur Jr., as well as modern indie up-and-comers like Julien Baker and Ani DiFranco.
Matador Records
Founded in 1989 by Chris Lombardi, Matador Records is an independent record label based in New York City. The label’s roster includes some of the most acclaimed and respected names in indie rock, such as Dinosaur Jr., Pavement, Sonic Youth, and Yo La Tengo. Matador has also released albums by artists outside the realm of indie rock, including country singer Neko Case and hip-hop group Jawbreaker.
Domino Recording Company
Domino Recording Company, or simply Domino, is an independent record label based in London. The label was founded in 1993 by Laurence Bell and is home to a roster of artists that includes Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, Animal Collective, and Dirty Projectors. Domino has been instrumental in the success of many artists that have gone on to achieve mainstream success, including Bloc Party, Vampire Weekend, andMGMT.
Sub Pop
Formed in 1986, Sub Pop is one of the most iconic and important American independent record labels of all time. The Seattle-based label was founded by Bruce Pavitt and Jon Poneman, and was home to legendary grunge bands like Nirvana, Mudhoney, and Soundgarden. Although the label has diversified its roster over the years to include artists from a variety of genres, it remains best known for its groundbreaking work in alternative rock.
Saddle Creek
If you’re a fan of indie rock music, then you’ve probably heard of Saddle Creek. This label was founded in 1993 by Robb Nansel and Justin Oberlaand is based in Omaha, Nebraska. Saddle Creek is home to a number of successful bands, including Bright Eyes, Desaparecidos, and The Faint.
Since its inception, Saddle Creek has been committed to supporting the Omaha music scene and nurturing local talent. In addition to signing bands from Omaha, the label also provides space for artists to practice and hosts annual music festivals.
Saddle Creek is known for its DIY ethic and dedication to its artists. The label provides its bands with creative freedom and employs a hands-off approach when it comes to marketing and promotion. This allows artists to develop their own unique voices and maintain control over their careers.
If you’re looking for something new and exciting in the world of indie rock, then check out Saddle Creek. You won’t be disappointed.
