POV: Indie, what a ridiculous genre

[Asunwv]

It's way too broad, and covers many artists that don't make sense for it to cover, and has been dominating people's Spotify wraps, I think Spotify just needs to ignore it for wrapped cause it's not really a real genre imo. It gives me no insight into what I listened to really, we would be better off getting rid of it entirely tbh but just getting it out of my wrapped would be acceptable, I wanna know what I actually listened to, not this broad catch all net that includes MCR and 21 pilots???? Anyways yeah I just needed to rant about this cause it's a frustrating new genre that, even when explained to me, doesn't make a lot of sense.

[consumption]

Agreed. Also, most descriptions I've found online seem to be copy/pasted from one another. Functionally, it just seems to be... any song with meaningful lyrics?? The more cynical part of me says that is a completely manufactured genre, but I have no idea what the benefit of doing that would be.

[Mitre226644]

Is what you’re frustrated about that you don’t feel like you have an accurate understanding of the genres you’ve listened to? Obviously you know what you’ve listened to on a more detailed level like the songs and bands, and it seems like you’ve got a different way to categorize bands like MCR and 21 Pilots anyways, so it seems like you shouldn’t lack insight into what you listened to- maybe you’re referring to how others perceive and perhaps judge you based on listening to music that Spotify has classified as indie?

Indie literally comes from the word independent- referring to record labels. It’s generally restricted to rock or pop music. Been going on since the 80’s. Usually when a band gets more popular and mainstream they jump to a different label, making the definition obscure in that sense. 

But in the end, who really cares? Define the genre of bands or music however you wish. There’s overlap and subjectivity that will always exist- there isn’t a science to it. 

[IanPoe]

Definitely agree - the "genre" started out based on small independent artists, but some of the biggest artists in the world are now "indie." I am glad at least that Spotify has sub-genres and sub-categories.

[tasteink]

Language changes over time. Indie may have held that meaning at one time, but it became auditory. It became a sound, not metadata.

Pop doesn't mean "popular" like it once did. It is a prime example of another umbrella genre that is mainly defined by a set of sonic characteristics.

Yeah, it really doesn't matter, though. Is it an engine or a motor? A driver or a cabbie? Save your energy to be frustrated with things that really matter. And don't be a purist lmaooo.

[Trogman17]

Yes this is so true, indie used to be a term for independent artists but has now evolved into a certain style and sound to music. So many people consider indie music a type of genre. When I tell someone that I listen to indie music, they can understand what it sounds like.

[Mdrome]

Hello from the future!

I'm not typically the type to hop into a convo like this, but after a long journey that was not musical in origin, I ended up here. With that said, I'd like to add a perspective that I have not seen on the topic:

First, I'd like to say that up until very recently, I too was a proponent of the idea that genre should not be taken so literally. I had a very similar stance when I defended large artists, like the 1975, who were given this tittle, and others would argue that it is harmful to the "indie" brand. 

Before I present my case on the topic, i'd also like to add my prospective that resulted me arriving here. I work in the sales industry, and i've claimed the corporate ladder at a relatively young age (currently 23). I work alongside the executive staff and the private equity company. I'm no top dog in my current role, but my voice is heard in the upper management circle, and actions have been decided based on my input. With that said, I have found many things in my journey of sales and marketing that I find prey on the average consumer (Not specifically in my current company. I am speaking more-so from my entire experience, which covers direct to consumer, business to business, and sales/marketing leadership). Most people don't recognize that they are even a target, because the deception is hidden behind a disguise of "education." 

Now that I have set the stage (and likely lost anyone who would have started reading this post lol), I can lay my case. 

Spotify makes money by sponsoring artists. Artists assigned to the indie genre is misleading to consumers because it has its origins in independent. If I make a decision to listen to an artists who is promoted through spotify because they are labeled independent, and are demonstrably not; I have been mislead by this advertising.

Im not saying I have the answer here, but I have not seen this take on the topic anywhere.

[writtenbyirene]

so true bestie, check out Giselle Bellas for some real indie excellence