The Best Indie Rock Music Quotes

If you’re a fan of indie rock music, then you know that some of the best quotes come from the artists themselves. Here are some of the best indie rock music quotes to keep you inspired.

Introduction

As the lead singer of an indie rock band, I’m often asked what my favorite music quotes are. While there are many great quotes out there, these are my personal favorites. I hope you enjoy them!

“Music is the best way to change the world because it starts with the individual, and then spreads out.” – Bono

“Rock ‘n’ roll is very simple. It’s our job to make it complicated.” – David Bowie

“If you want to make a Rock ‘n’ Roll record, you go into a studio and you play loud.” – Steven Tyler

“I think that music is the best thing that anybody can do to change the world.” – Bob Dylan

“I’m the kind of person who needs to be a little bit drunk or a little bit high in order to be creatively productive.” – Tame Impala

This quote is from Kevin Parker of the Australian band Tame Impala. It perfectly sums up the creative process for many indie rock musicians – needing to be in a altered state in order to be productive. For some, this might mean drinking alcohol or taking drugs, while for others it might simply mean being in an emotionally vulnerable state. Whatever the case may be, this quote highlights the importance of creativity and self-expression for indie rock musicians.

“A lot of people think that to be a rock star, all you have to do is be famous. But it’s not. To be a rock star, you have to have hits.” – The Strokes

Many people believe that in order to be a rock star, the only requirement is to be famous. The Strokes Dispute this belief, and instead state that Hits are necessary for stardom. This quote comes from the American rock band The Strokes, who are considered one of the greatest indie rock bands of all time.

“People love to say that rock is dead. But it’s not dead. It’s just evolved.” – The Black Keys

People love to say that rock is dead. But it’s not dead. It’s just evolved. The Black Keys are one of the most successful rock bands of the last decade precisely because they understand this. They’ve taken the best elements of classic rock and roll – catchy hooks, driving rhythms, and simple, direct lyrics – and updated them for the 21st century.

And they’re not the only ones. There’s a whole new generation of indie rock bands that are taking this approach and finding huge success with it. So if you’re looking for some great quotes about rock music, these are some of the best.

“Rock is not about rules. It’s about feeling.” – The Black Keys

“Rock music should make you feel something. It should make you move.” – The Strokes

“Rock ‘n’ roll is about getting your heart broken.” – Ryan Adams

“Rock ‘n’ roll is not just three chords and a cloud of dust.” – Bruce Springsteen

“I think that the rules of songwriting are the same as any other form of literature. It’s all about telling a story.” – The National

“I think that the rules of songwriting are the same as any other form of literature. It’s all about telling a story.” – The National

“I’m not going to be happy until I’m a rock star. And that might take awhile.” – Arcade Fire

“Music is the best summer ever.” – Vampire Weekend

“There’s something really beautiful and romantic about being miserable together.” – LCD Soundsystem

“I’m just a garage band guy who got lucky.” – Jack White

Garage band guy Jack White sure has come a long way since his humble beginnings. These days, he’s one of the most successful and well-known musicians in the world, thanks to his work with The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, and The Dead Weather. But even though he’s now a bonafide rock star, he hasn’t forgotten his roots. In a recent interview, he spoke about how he still feels like “just a garage band guy who got lucky.”

It’s an humble attitude that has served him well throughout his career, and it’s something that has endeared him to fans of indie rock music. After all, there’s something very relatable about a guy who is humble and down-to-earth despite his success. And it seems like that Everyman quality is what has led to some of the best indie rock music quotes over the years.

Here are some of our favorites:

“I’m just a garage band guy who got lucky.” – Jack White

“I think people who make music they love are the ones whose music stands the test of time.” – Conor Oberst

“The great thing about rock & roll is that someone like me can be a star.” – Rod Stewart

“There’s something about playing live that just can’t be beat.” – The White Stripes

The White Stripes are one of the most influential bands of the past two decades. They popularized a raw, stripped-down sound that harkened back to the garage rock of the 60s. Their live shows were legendary, and their concerts were some of the most energetic and exciting ever staged. This quote captures the essence of what it means to be a live band. It’s not just about the music; it’s about the experience.

“I’m not interested in being a rock star. I’m just interested in making good music.” – The Killers

The Killers are an American rock band formed in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2001 by members Brandon Flowers (lead vocals, keyboards) and Dave Keuning (guitar, backing vocals). The band’s name is derived from a fictional band in Quentin Tarantino’s film Reservoir Dogs. The Killers have released five studio albums, Hot Fuss (2004), Sam’s Town (2006), Day & Age (2008), Battle Born (2012) and Wonderful Wonderful (2017).

“I’m not interested in being a rock star. I’m just interested in making good music.” – The Killers

“I think that the most important thing for a band to do is to just be yourself.” – Vampire Weekend

“I think that the most important thing for a band to do is to just be yourself.” – Vampire Weekend

“The thing I like about our band is that we’re all complete individuals, but when we come together, we make something that’s beyond any of us.” – Sufjan Stevens

“It’s just rock ‘n’ roll. It’s supposed to be dumb fun.” – Weezer

“People always talk about how hard it is to be in a band and how much work it is, and yes, it’s all of those things. But at the end of the day, it’s still just playing music.” – Matt Berninger of The National

“I’m not trying to be cool. I just am cool.” – Arctic Monkeys

There are few things more gratifying than having your favorite band speak directly to your soul. Indie rock is known for its relatable, deeply personal lyrics that often capture the exact feeling you didn’t know you needed articulated. We’ve compiled some of the best indie rock quotes below.

“I’m not trying to be cool. I just am cool.” – Arctic Monkeys

“And oh, I bet you look good on the dancefloor / I don’t know if you’re looking for romance or / I don’t know what you’re looking for.” – Arctic Monkeys, “I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor”

“But if you’re lost and feel alone / Throw this tape on / I won’t leave you hanging, dude.” – Mac DeMarco, “Still Beating”

“I hate myself for loving you / Can’t stop thinking about you.” – The Strokes, “Someday”

“All my friends are turning green / You are something to see.” – Beck, “Loser”

“And we could plant a house / And make a petunia out of clay.” – Neutral Milk Hotel, “In the Aeroplane Over the Sea”

“Maybe someday we will find our place in the sun / And we’ll sit there and we’ll drum on our drums and have fun.” – Vampire Weekend, “Giving Up the Gun”

If you’re ever feeling lost or alone, put on your favorite indie album and remember that somebody out there knows exactly how you feel.