<p>I love everything on Illinois, but Holland from Michigan is my favorite.</p>
<p>That's way exciting.</p>
<p>Chucky bucky!</p>
<p>pshhhh Sufjan was in Newsweek. he lost indie creds ages ago.</p>
<p>that's like saying the Arctic Monkeys are an obscure band.</p>
<p>Illinois. and A Sun Came is amazing. for the record. no pun intended.</p>
<p>Wow. He was in Newsweek? That's crazy. And...</p>
<p>I thought Arctic Monkeys were an obscure band...</p>
<p>I'm out of the loop.</p>
<p>But I don't care. They're still amazing.</p>
<p>Haha sorry for sounding like a troll. Or for being a troll. I'm really not.</p>
<p>I just decided a short while ago, after being that kid that knows all the bands and tells the OC what music to put on their show, that indie rock no longer exists. At least not in the sense of being independent. It's just dead. And I was the indieest indie. </p>
<p>Then again, the Revolutionary Hydra declared the same thing about six years ago.</p>
<p>oh pssshh thespondee. Of Montreal was on the OC and they are still as indie as indie can get. Indie rock so exists. Maybe not in California, but it exists... theoretically.</p>
<p>Then what is indie? Indie = independent, last time I checked. At least, theoretically. But what separates the big indie record labels from the major labels today? Sure, there are real indie labels. I run one myself. But bands like Of Montreal, The Mountain Goats, and John Vanderslice all put out records on labels that share a prominent spot with Columbia and Atlantic on iTunes, Rhapsody, and at Borders. What separates these labels as being indepdent? </p>
<p>"Indie Rock" (including all sub-genres such as indie-pop, twee, etc.) is now a style of rock music, and not a designation. Yes, there is a distinct style that defines all the bands that you and I and our moms would call indie. </p>
<p>But seriously, The Arctic Monkeys were on Saturday Night Live. How in God's name is that independent? The whole country was watching. Coldplay plays SNL. And please, don't try to tell me Coldplay is "indie" by any stretch of the imagination.</p>
<p>And for the record, I have friends who agree with me who live in places that are not California. If San Francisco isn't "indie" enough for you, try Seattle, Portland, or New York.</p>
<p>Every time I go to a show (or play a show, which happens a lot more often) I see about 100 kids all wearing exactly the same clothes (blazer, tight pants, cap, scarf, striped sweater, etc.), with Sufjan, Animal Collective, and Nada Surf on their iPods. Nowhere do I see anything resembling independence. Sure, it's not the mainstream. But there are a lot of "indie" bands that sell more records than bands signed to major labels.</p>
<p>See, here's the thing. Tyler's got it down.</p>
<p>It doesn't matter whether these things are indie or not. I love Coldplay with all my heart, no matter how much my indie bandmates and my indie friends make fun of me for it. The music appeals to my aesthetic. That is what music is for. Death to competitions for the most obscure band. Enjoy the music.</p>
<p>Incidentally, I never thought I would have this conversation in the Berkeley 2010 board.</p>
<p>Yes indie culture overall has well... become a part of the masses. Some parts of it. I find it hard to believe though that all indie culture is dead. </p>
<p>I go to shows and at the doors I see musicians still working their butts off with homemade flyers and mixes to get the word out. They plaster flyers from place to place. The indie attitude still lives.</p>
<p>On itunes: I don't believe that just because a record gets itunes exposure means that its lost its indie cred. I just believe that itunes and the Apple corp. are doing an extremely thorough job to get you to buy their product. Exposure and independence are two different things. Independence means the lack of all that glitzy agent/hollywood magic to make it big in my book. </p>
<p>The label that releases Of Montreal is Polyvinyl Records, a record company from an area I love all too much, Champaign, IL. I don't believe that they've lost indie cred. The last time I checked, they were still crankin out cds by hand with a lot of effort. </p>
<p>Overall, I think the main killer of indie is the internet. Before it used to be impossible to get certain albums unless you lived in a certain area. Now downloads and amazon and euro. online shops make it possible to get any cd. With that, I guess more bands are getting exposure that feels commercial and cheesy. Its an odd perception of technology: the invention that both kills and inspires music.</p>
<p>I agree with you though that the indie label means nothing. I listen to what I like, whatever that may be. Dare I say it? I love postal service. </p>
<p>I know. I've committed a great sin.</p>
<p>Oddly enough, spondee, these are the kind of conversations that I hoped for in these boards. :D </p>
<p>Oh and you mentioned bandmates? You're in a band? Do tell details!</p>
<p>And Polyvinyl is a tremendous record label that has released many of my favorite bands' records. </p>
<p>Certainly, the independent effort still exists. But as you explain in detail, the ability to obtain exposure is ever easier. </p>
<p>Whatever, let's give up the theory. The music is far more important :D</p>
<p>It's a good conversation though, and I'm glad to have it here. Feel free to AIM me though if you want more.</p>
<p>And yes, I'm in a couple of bands, indie-folk-pop-rock-punk-rock-pop-folk-indie sort of things :D</p>
<p>ps my screen name is GOSHTHATISCRAP</p>
<p>im wynne.
my myspace is <a href="http://www.myspace.com/asfsamurai%5B/url%5D">www.myspace.com/asfsamurai</a>
im sure it tells you everything</p>
<p>Hi, my name's Elizabeth. I'm from San Jose, California and I just submitted my SIR!</p>
<p>I'm also from San Jose!</p>
<p>Cool! Where do you go to school? I go to Notre Dame.</p>
<p>Hey folks.. I'm Ankur and I'm from well.. <em>scary voice</em> THE MIDDLE EAST <em>end scary voice</em> - if you have any questions regarding the potential risk I am under by living in such a threatened part of the world, feel free to ask me :) - Just kidding</p>
<p>I'll be studying EECS (is it really as hard as they say it is?) and I am passionate about cricket (the sport, not the insect) - I've represented my country. In music, I totally love anything from the 60s to the 80s - with a special liking for the rock music from those times. Listen to nearly all sorts of music just not too big on the whole gangsta rap and heavy metal bit....</p>
<p>Woah you played for your country? What the U-19s or the national team? What country? If it was a recognized team your profile should be on cricinfo.com</p>
<p>Anyway turnip - I went to Lynbrook</p>
<p>My name is Brittany Stewart, I'm 17, and I'm from the L.A. area.....I like virtually every type of music except metal and I'm not too big on gospel. I really like Hed Kandi....I would be so happy if someone knows what it is. I'm really looking forward to meeting everybody and coming to Cal. My calso is July 7th and 8th and I'm going to live in a Unit 1 mini suite. If you have any questions or anything.......just pm me or.....you can reach me on facebook.</p>
<p>Hey royrules, I played for the Oman U-17 team in the ACC (Asian Cricket Council) trophy in Malaysia. I don't have a CricInfo profile but there are a couple of articles on the ACC website.. It was a recognised official team from the country - Trip was totally government sponsored where we actually got paid to play!</p>
<p>It's a pity I can't find any sort of organised cricket at Cal :(</p>
<p>Hey guys, I'm Jane from Los Angeles. A lot of you listen to the same music I listen to so hurray hurray. I love Sufjan. I like a lot of post-rock music along with my indie variety. I like going to shows and have been to way too many. If any of you are down to head to SF for some shows, let's go :)</p>
<p>I'm friggin excited for Cal.</p>