Who to Know in the Indie Rock Music Scene
Contents
Want to know who to listen to in the Indie Rock music scene? Check out our list of up-and-coming artists that are making waves and shaking things up.
The Players
In the ever-changing landscape of the music industry, it can be hard to keep up with who’s who. With thehelp of this article, you’ll be able to get to know some of the key players in the indie rock music scene. You’ll learn about the people who are making waves and shaping the sound of this genre.
Bands
-The Arcade Fire
-Neutral Milk Hotel
-Death Cab for Cutie
-Modest Mouse
-The Decemberists
-The Shins
– Vampire Weekend
-MGMT
Venues
For a lot of up-and-coming bands, playing live is the best way to get their music out there and build a following. But without the right venue, even the most talented band can fall flat. That’s why it’s important to know which venues are the hotspots for indie rock music. Here are a few of the best:
The Mercury Lounge
Located in New York City, the Mercury Lounge is one of the most popular places to see indie rock bands. It’s a small venue, which means that you can really get up close and personal with the bands you love.
The Crocodile
Also located in NYC, the Crocodile is another great option for seeing indie rock bands. This venue is a bit bigger than the Mercury Lounge, so it’s perfect if you want to see a band that’s starting to get some major buzz.
The Fonda Theatre
If you’re in Los Angeles, then you need to check out the Fonda Theatre. This iconic venue has been host to some of the biggest names in indie rock, and it’s always putting on great shows.
Promoters
Indie rock promoters are the people who put on indie rock shows. They are usually music fans who want to help out their favorite bands by booking them shows and finding them places to play. Some promoters work for bigger companies, but most of them are just regular people who love music and want to help out.
If you’re in a band, you’ll need to find a promoter to book you shows. Promoters are always looking for new bands to play, so don’t be afraid to reach out and introduce yourself. Once you’ve built up a relationship with a promoter, they’ll start booking you shows at bigger venues and helping you get more exposure.
Promoters are an essential part of the indie rock music scene, so if you’re serious about making it in the music world, you’ll need to make some friends in the promotion business.
Publicists
In the music industry, a publicist is responsible for generating buzz surrounding a particular artist or band. In order to do this, publicists often work with media outlets to secure placements, such as interviews, features, and performances. Publicists may also be responsible for planning and executing promotional campaigns, coordinating press junkets, and managing an artist’s or band’s social media presence.
In the indie rock music scene, there are a handful of publicists who consistently work with up-and-coming bands. If you’re looking to generate buzz for your band, these are the people you need to know.
-Arieh Simon: Arieh Simon is the founder of ASMArtists, a Los Angeles-based publicity firm that specializes in rock and roll. ASMArtists’ roster includes some of the biggest names in indie rock, including Best Coast, Wavves, and No Age.
-Heather West: Heather West is the owner of HWPR, a boutique publicity firm based in Los Angeles. HWPR’s roster includes We Are Scientists, Tokyo Police Club, and Local Natives.
-Beth Martens: Beth Martens is the owner of Bbotprod., an independent music publicity company based in Brooklyn. Bbotprod.’s roster includes Vampire Weekend, The National, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
The Process
If you’re unfamiliar with the indie rock music scene, here’s a quick rundown of how it works. Bands release their music independently instead of signing with a major label. This allows them to maintain creative control over their work and retain the rights to their music. The downside is that they often don’t have the financial backing that major label artists have.
Getting Gigs
One way to get started in the music scene is to start playing shows. This can be a little tricky, however, because you need to find venues that are willing to host your band. The best way to do this is to start by contacting smaller venues in your area. These venues are often more willing to take a chance on new bands, and they can be a great place to start building up your following.
Once you’ve started playing shows, you’ll need to start promoting yourself. This includes things like making sure you have a strong online presence, promoting your shows on social media, and getting press coverage for your band. These things can take some time and effort, but they’re essential if you want to build a successful career in music.
If you’re serious about making a career in music, it’s also important to start networking with other people in the industry. This includes meeting other bands and musicians, industry professionals, and media contacts. These connections can be invaluable as you move forward in your career, so don’t be afraid to reach out and make some new friends.
Booking Tours
When you’re ready to take your band on the road, the first step is booking a tour. This can be done by working with a booking agent, or if you’re just starting out, you can book your own shows.
There are a few things to keep in mind when booking tours:
-Touring can be expensive, so make sure you have a solid plan in place to fund your tour.
-Be realistic about the size of the venues you can book. You don’t want to end up playing to an empty room.
-Think about the logistics of touring. Where will you stay? How will you get from city to city?
-Most importantly, make sure you’re booking shows that will actually get people out to see you play. There’s no point in touring if no one is going to hear your music.
If you’re not sure where to start, there are a few resources that can help:
-The Music festivals Calendar is a great way to find festivals that might be a good fit for your band.
-The Punk & Indie Rock Club Listings can help you find clubs that book touring bands.
-The Indie Venue Bible is an online database of independent venues across the country.
Press and Media
In the music industry, press and media play a big role in promoting and publicizing new artists and bands. If you’re serious about making it in the indie rock scene, it’s important to get to know the key players in this area.
Here are some of the most important people to know in the press and media world of indie rock:
-Journalists: Journalists write articles about new bands and artists, which helps generate interest and publicity. Some of the most popular music journalists in the indie rock scene include Pitchfork’s Sasha Frere-Jones and The New York Times’ Jon Pareles.
-Radio DJs: Radio DJs help promote new music by playing it on their shows. If you can get your song played on a popular radio show, it can do wonders for your career. Some of the most influential radio DJs in the indie rock world include Nic Harcourt of KCRW and Jim DeRogatis of WXRT.
-Bloggers: There are hundreds of music blogs out there, and they can be a great way to get your music heard by new people. Some of the most popular indie rock blogs include Brooklyn Vegan and Gorilla vs. Bear.
Getting to know these people can help you get your foot in the door of the indie rock scene. If you can build relationships with them, they can become invaluable allies in helping you achieve success.
The Scene
Local Scenes
The term “local scene” is used to describe the social environment surrounding a particular kind of music. It usually refers to the network of musicians, fans, and venues that support a particular style of music. Local scenes can be found in cities all over the world, and each one has its own unique flavor.
If you’re interested in getting involved in the local indie rock scene, there are a few things you should know. First, it’s important to find out what kind of music is popular in your area. There are many different genres of indie rock, so it’s helpful to narrow down your options. Once you’ve figured out what kind of music you’re interested in, you can start attending shows and meeting people.
Most local scenes have their own websites or online communities where you can learn more about upcoming shows and meet other fans. Attend as many shows as you can, and don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to people. The more involved you become, the more fun you’ll have. And who knows – you might even end up in a band yourself!
National Scene
The term “indie rock” is used to describe a wide variety of music, from DIY punk and underground noise bands to experimental post-rock and dream pop. The genre is united by a DIY ethic and an independent spirit, but there is no one sound that defines it.
Some of the most well-known indie rock bands come from the United States, including Pavement, Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr., and Built to Spill. But the indie rock scene is not limited to America – there are great bands from all over the world, including Britain, Canada, Australia, and Japan.
If you’re just getting into indie rock, or if you’re looking for some new bands to check out, here are some of the best from the US and beyond.
International Scene
The global indie rock scene is thriving, with great music coming out of all corners of the world. Here are some of the most exciting names in the genre, from Australia to Argentina.
Australia:
The Australian indie rock scene is full of great bands and artists, ranging from established acts like Tame Impala and Courtney Barnett to newer ones like Emma Louise and Jagwar Ma. If you’re looking for some great tunes from Down Under, these are the names you need to know.
Argentina:
One of the most exciting places for indie rock right now is Argentina, where a new generation of bands are making waves with their unique sound. Some of the most popular acts include Soda Stereo, Catupecu Machu, and Cuarteto de Nos.