Are 'Indie Rock' Fans the Biggest Snobs? (1 Viewer)

[Joseph Young]

"What exactly, do you mean by 'Indie Rock?'
I'm glad you asked. It's open to interpretation, but go to your local music store and look at the 'Indie' section for a good idea of what I mean. There are countless bands; many of them have names that sound like Academic Theses, or in-jokes between friends, or generally obscure references.
"You're generalizing. Be more specific."
So are those turtleneck and dark rimmed glasses, Atari T-shirt, corduroy pants wearing, coffeeshop sipping, music store workin', major label hating Indie afficianados more snobby? As a general rule, do they look down at any popular music, or talk down to people who can't rattle off obscure band names and side projects?
"It's not my fault if you don't have a handle on the Indie Music Scene."
My point exactly.
Please feel free to clarify, correct, disprove or humiliate any of my points!
Joseph

 

[MartinTeller]

I love indie rock. I don't own a turtleneck, my glasses are wire-rim, I've never worn an Atari shirt, I hate corduroy, I hate coffee, I don't work at a music store, and I don't hate major labels. I don't look down on popular music... like anything else (including indie rock), 90% of it is crap, but I seek out and enjoy the other 10%.

Sounds to me like you've got a massive chip on your shoulder. Did an indie rock geek steal your girlfriend or something?

 

[Mark Pfeiffer]

Are "indie rock" fans snobs? Yes. (And I say this as one, an indie rock fan, not a snob. I hope.)
The biggest snobs? I don't know about that.

 

[Joseph Young]

Sounds to me like you've got a massive chip on your shoulder. Did an indie rock geek steal your girlfriend or something?

MartinTeller: Massive chip? Did my post come off like that? hehe Yeah, I'm getting revenge on some unnamed Music snob who stole my girlfriend. :laugh
Most of my favorite bands are on indie labels, and I fit the 'indie rocker' description pretty accurately.
Cheers,
Joseph

 

[Mike Broadman]

Anybody who identifies themselves primarily with a group or philosophy will be a snob, it's just a matter of how much. In music, you have indie rock snobs, prog snobs, metal heads, jazz snobs, etc.

All are equally obnoxious as far as I'm concerned.

Regarding indie rock specifically, it seems to me that many of the hardcore fans support it more from a philosophical standpoint than a musical one- that is, because a band is "lo-fi" or on an indie label, that makes them seem more honest, which makes the music "better." This seems silly to me and stands in stark contrast to my point of view, which is to listen from a purely musical and sonic standpoint.

 

[Joseph Young]

like anything else (including indie rock), 90% of it is crap, but I seek out and enjoy the other 10%.

Not necessarily true. I've been lucky enough, with music from small indie labels, to enjoy about 50-70% of the music I get turned on to.

Just to clarify, I didn't start this thread for any reason other than stimulating conversation. People have a tendancy to take everything I say really seriously (it's probably just the way I phrase things). On the contrary, the whole indie phenomenon is something I am very much involved in as a fan, but I have observed more 'snobbery' and condescension from that corner of the music scene and want help clarifying or disproving those observations.

Cheers,

Joseph

 

[Mark Pfeiffer]

I think part of the reason why someone who is really into indie rock (or for that matter, someone who is hardcore into anything) might come off as snobbish is because he or she has a deeper knowledge than someone who, say, listens to the radio but couldn't even identify 50% of the artists they hear. If you have passion for something and explore it, you're more likely to feel you possess a certain amount of authority. Knowing a lot more than another person can often be mistaken for and communicated as self-superiority. Generally speaking, I'd say that indie rock fans don't tend to be as casual about the music or aesthetic as those whose toes don't dip outside the mainstream. The mainstream will still have the hardcore fans, but it's not as imbedded in all of them.
I'll be honest, I think there is often a greater deal of "honesty" (however one measures that) in much of indie music. The posers are there too, but I guess I think there are fewer of them percentage wise. OK, so just brand me with the snob label now...

 

[Joseph Young]

Agreed. By nature, independent music is more obscure (physically and musically), so even the act of familiarizing oneself with the music takes more effort and determination then, let's say, watching MTV's Total Request Live and buying whatever album gets promoted there.

Again, I am not here to decry 'indie geeks,' nor deny myself as one. I just think it's interesting to explore.

-joseph

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

Still, alot of your greatest acts in music have come from within the studio system. The studio system's music is in a lull because they seem to place looks and dancing talents over musical ability.

That said, while I like to seek out a variety of music, indie included, there's still good mainstream stuff out there, if you're willing to wade through the fluff.

NP: Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody

 

[Vince Maskeeper]

Yes.

[turns up nose and walks away]

-Vince

 

[Brian Bunn]

Indie or mainstream, I am just a fan of good pop/rock music...and it just so happens that much (if not most) of the stuff I like is on indie labels. There is also some good stuff on the major labels as well, but there is just something special about finding that little band that could on the indie labels...you know...my little secret! Bands like The Waxwings, Cherry Twister, Steve Ward, Adam Daniel, Brendan Benson, The Flashing Lights, The Pernice Brothers, The Mockers, The Drowners, The Supers...just to name a few. A snob? No. Just a fan of talented musicians that write and play good music. And I like supporting them by buying their product. There is so much great stuff out there on indie labels. I have found a ton but have only just scratched the surface I am sure.

Anyone else wanting to scratch the indie music surface might do well to look up any of the bands/names above. Start with The Waxwings (new album do soon!) and work your way down.

 

[Mark Pfeiffer]

The studio system's music is in a lull because they seem to place looks and dancing talents over musical ability.

I think what's more problematic is that labels don't seem to be interested in doing artist development and are just looking for the quick hits, dispose, and find the next flavor of the month. Anymore it seems to be put up right away or get dropped.

 

[Iain Lambert]

He is Rob Gordon, and I claim my Five Pounds.

High Fidelity is funny because its true.

 

[Craig_T]

I don't like most indie rock but I don't hate any of it. In fact, the only band I truly hate is Creed.