Source Dialogue: “Indie Then and Now“
HOST: Hello everyone and thank you for tuning into “Indie Then and Now” very first broadcast. Today we are honored to have five renowned guest authors talk to us about the indie culture and its various movements. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome on stage: Michael Azerrad, Thomas Frank, Nitsuh Abebe, Kaya Oakes, and Allisa Quart!
HOST: Michael, would you please start us off? In the introduction to “Our Band Could Be Your Life”, what idea, regarding American hardcore and the indie underground, was presented in the 1980s decade.
AZERRAD: When “hardcore” punk was introduced to the society, people had more control over their own destiny. Individual labels became popular and therefore the scene developed isolation from the musical mainstream throughout the 1980s. DIY was considered punk and rebellious.
HOST: In relation to Michael’s idea, Thomas, in “Why Johnny Can’t Dissent” and “Alternative to What?”, could you elaborate on “the countercultural idea”?
FRANK: The countercultural idea reflects on the American society, which has originated in the 1950s. It is the concept of conformity that prevents the people from expressing themselves in the society. It is also an idea of breaking the rules and deviating from the norm.
HOST: According to “The Decade in Indie”, Nitsuh, could you comment on how indie has impacted the society during the “noughties".
ABEBE: Indie in the 2000s had become a popular sensibility attached to movies, ads, fashion, and so on. The examples include Mac versus PC ads and movies like the Garden State. The sensibility used to be rare; however, half of the young people who were attracted to it grew up received creative jobs. Therefore, indie spread everywhere.
HOST: What were some of the positive impacts of the internet?
OAKES: Internet impacted the growth and expansion of the indie culture by social media, manufacturers, and music distribution.
HOST: In the introduction of Republic Of Outsiders, how do you think allows the rebels to live outside the mainstream and reject the dictates of convention?
QUART: Technology seem to be one of their alternatives to shake off traditional restraints. They used technology to dispense their cultural products or their ideas. Moreover, Internet permits the rebels to reach and change minds of the wider audiences.
HOST: Michael, in your view, can you please expand on the idea of DIY?
AZERRAD: Since major labels rejected the new “hardcore” punk style, American teens who were still interested and supported punk developed their scenes by independent means. They rebelled against the major labels by starting their own record labels, publishing local fanzines, putting on their own shows, and booking their own tours.
HOST: What do you think about the rebels?
FRANK: They became central images of culture image of consumption symbolising endless and directionless change.
HOST: Throughout the first decade of the 2000s, what were the versions of indie music?
ABEBE: “Indie” splits into the mainstream indie pop and the “fresh and rowdy” alternative.
HOST: What were the negative impacts of the accessibility of “indie” products?
OAKES: These products allowed major companies to corrupt and manipulate the trend in order to increase profits and greater appeal to the public.
HOST: How do these social outsiders take control of their own commoditization and achieve a truce with the mainstream? What do you think was their goal?
QUART: Their aim was to incarnate their authentic selves. It is a type of co-optation that keeps us constrained by allowing us to loosen our strictures.
HOST: What do you think are the influence of indie culture?
AZERRAD: Some examples of the ‘80s indie or alternative rock are Nirvana, Sonic Youth, Minutemen, Hüsker Dü, and The Replacements.
HOST: What happened to the success of Nirvana 1991?
FRANK: Major labels began to see indie bands as a potential source of profit.
HOST: Nitsuh, could you name some of the mainstream and alternative bands?
ABEBE: The mainstream indie pop bands include Iron & Wine, Arcade Fire, Cat Power. On the other hand, a “fresh and rowdy” alternative bands or the bands opposite of the mainstream indie pop are Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Franz Ferdinand, and M.I.A.
HOST: What evidence was apparent, showing the indie’s transition?
OAKES: Urban Outfitters is a retail chain that focuses on fashion and lifestyle trend.
HOST: And lastly, what have the outsiders done to the American society?
QUART: Since their trust in authority faltered, they have created identities that are unusual and unconventional, which as a result have financially damaged America.
