That is the most encyclopedic definition of indie rock I've ever heard. Indie rock isn't just about being on an independent label. It's a sound. It's not very easy to describe, but indie rock has it's own sound. Oh, and it's spelled Elliott Smith.

Now I finally know the term indie! Congratulations to the Voice staff on your award.

It sounds more like Emo to me.

I don't care about styles of music. I just know that I like 'em! Stop whining about styles and stuff and listen to music!

Sorry about the misspelling. I totally knew that.

And well, I did my best to descibe a sound. Although just because it "sounds" indie doesnt mean it actually is.

I hate when people call Indie, Emo. It's not. Sure, it has lyrics about sadness and such, but the difference between Emo and Indie is that, Emo has thrashy guitars and no-talent guitar players, or they're just plain SAD looking (ahem, Chris Carrabba).

But really, people don't have to be disrespectful and don't have to try to be cool and hard-opinioned, and say that Indie is Emo, because it just plain isn't. Stay in your punk-rock genre and leave us alone!

I know this sounds stupid coming from a 13-year-old, but I'm trying to start a new style called 'opic'. What 'opic' is about is freedom. The style is what you like and what you think looks good. The music is anything if you like it listen to it. I'm tired of having to wear something just because I listen to certain music. If you have any comments, e-mail me at gun_ntu@hotmail.com. Thanks.

Holy crap, the last guy who wrote here sucks. Good job with what you said. It's hard to describe [indie rock], but you did an awesome job.

I don't think it is a case of working towards wearing a "uniform." If you're around that kind of music, you express it through yourself. For example, you listen to that hardcore rap crap, then the music comes out through what you wear (huge clothes).

There is absolutely no good way to desribe Indie, but I must say that I love it.

It's so organic compared to mainstream pop, but it is still a very diverse genre. Can you honestly say that rilo kiley is like bloc party, or that the arcade fire is like the walkmen? Nope, that's what makes it Indie.

Another thing-- Emo is punk-pop, but sometimes it's considered to be Indie. However, I agree that Indie is NOT Emo.

Indie rock is about listening to music that you like and not caring about what others think. Turning Indie into a style makes it just like any other genre of music, like Heavy metal, Emo, pop or powerpop. Indie can be any variety of things and there is no need to categorize it. That said, good definition all and all.

All these kids on here are like 15 or 16 following some mainstream trend; long black hair in your face and whatever, boys wearing girls clothes and vice versa.

I'm not going to say that I don't like that kind of style, but the scene is turning into exactly what it's called: a scene. It's now the cool thing to look edgy and decked out in tight clothes and black hair. Indie rock is one thing: independent music. It's not filled up with money-making schemes. But honestly, it's these kids who are totally taking these awesome bands and turning them to garbage. Modest Mouse, for example... awesome band all the way up until they came out with their new CD. Not bad I'll say, but you can see how they took it up a notch and mainstreamed it.

All they play is the stuff that seems to get them paid. So to all the kids who read this and don't think it's about them, take a closer look at what you were before you cut your clothes and dyed your hair, and see if you're just some scene kid or actually the real deal.

That is so dumb. Indie doesn't have a specific sound and so many bands sound so different. But it's more about the love of the music.

On one hand, I can see what you are talking about. To some people, music is just a way of showing the world what kind of a person they are and how they want to be perceived. They put on a certain style to be related to certain people. These persons aren't music lovers! Indie, to me, is new and exciting music. Indie musicians find their own way through the musical landscapes, instead of following the commercial recipe. When Indie is no longer about music, Indie is no longer Indie. Indie is music for the music's sake, not for something else. That's the beauty of it!

Of course there will always be people who are more interested in credibility than in the art itself, but don't let those people ruin a perfectly fine word, and don't categorize true music lovers in that way :).

I'm loving the article. However, to me, Indie rock mean independent and individual. So sure, there are some things Indie rockers wear to symbolize their love of Indie rock. I don't believe it should have restrictions, like the length of your hair. Since Indie rock is such a wide-ranging genre, from The Arcade Fire to The Kills to Sleater-Kinney or whoever, shouldn't the physical style also be?

But it's true, Indie rock isn't just music, it's a life style, and there ain't one better. Oh, ha, I think it's also very Indie to design your own t-shirts, anyone else?

In truth, most pure Indie hipsters distain much of Bright Eyes, probably for his big and growing popularity.

Saddlecreek and many of the artists it has on its label including Conor Oberst and The Faint are constantly shunned and made fun of.

More obscure labels such as Temporary Residence who hosts Explosions in the Sky and The Drift are much more "Indie", and respectable.

This is funny. Saddle Creek sprung forth from my tiny little town, so I am living in the belly of this social nightmare. "Indie" is hardly about the music anymore. Well, at first it is. You must listen to the same music as the previous and current "hipsters". You know, ultra obscure. If you inform them of something so underground that they have never heard of it before, you are a shoe-in. After proving that you are worthy, you must attend the most elite of parties, drink more than you should, have at least one line of coke in your system and become comfortable lighting your cigarettes end to end. Minimal make-up, overpriced footwear and eating disorders are encouraged. This is indie in Omaha. How 'bout your town?

To quote somebody I can't seem to recall, "talking about music is like dancing about architecture." Music is music, don't quantify it, define it, capsulate it, and, thus, kill it.

Let it be, let it fill your room and mind with the things you thought but never realized. A genre is just an attempt to organize the most beautiful mess there is. Indie or emo or punk or experimental, why argue one is more valid than the other.

I love indie rock, but you talk about it as if it's a religion, it's not! I love the website for newcomers but it's just a little far fetched! Anyway, I love the website and I think indie rock is a pure and talented type of music. Anyone who wants to get into it, do!

I say, who really cares? Do what you do, when you do it, where you do it, how you do it, and what have you. Music is a way of life -- ANY kind of music. I tend to stear clear of socially categorizing things. It's only an organizational tool, and where's the fun in that? Organization takes away from obscurity. Indie music is my one love, and I could care less about the way the kids dress who worship it (or not, in retrospect).

Peace, love, and McDonald's (thanks to our major corporations of course).

After reading everyone elses comments little is left to be said. I am an indie artist myself I play for an unsigned band called Robot Strong, but that wasn't why I wanted to comment. Indie is about wearing, and listening to what gets you off despite what others say about it. The fact of the matter is that humans act, dress, and speak like those that they hang around, thus the categorizing. It is kind of sad to see it, the catigorization, but it happens. I, on the other hand, despite the categorization, still wear, read, listen to, eat, and speak the way I feel most comfortable.

Lia, that's okay, you tried. You describe it in the tone of someone who's sick and tired of it. I am pretty sure that maybe this is our subculture. The subculture of our generation that we will look back on and tell each other was unique. The 60's had an honorable mod/hippie subculture that we look back on, the late 70s and early 80s, the "real" beginnings of what we are now listening to as some who are too cool for the indie rock we listen to now and prefer I guess The Replacements or the Lemonheads, solid, respectable music or obscure bric a brac. But now I have no idea what legacy we'll leave if we so hate the vibe our generation is putting forth, whatever it is. You tell me what's going on.

Wow, Lia -- you got a ton of comments. I'd just like to say that it's annoying when people don't like indie bands as soon as they become "mainstream," a.k.a as soon as a bunch of other people start to like them.

Try and grasp the fact that they may not be changing their sound for the public -- rather, more of the public wants to listen to their music.

People that only like indie music because no one else listens to it -- not for the music itself-- are unbelievably pretentious. Ahem, Johnny.

I'm amazed that so many words say so little. The truth can be whispered.

Indie rock is stupid. It's just a bunch of stereotypical rockers that call themselves original but all write the same music. Oh, and they're on an independent label because they suck too much to be accepted by a major.

The music is music... the styles are not important... and the fake people stereotype themselves, because they think that you have to wear a particular t-shirt or have a particular haircut to listen music. Listen music, listen music, listen!! Thats what it matters.

I love the fashion aspect of Indie Music. I personally think it's the sole determinant of a true indie fan. I can casually walk down the street and be able to spot an indie kid and explain in great detail the differences in his appearance that dictates he is indie rather than emo.

I am always the first person to tell my friends about new Indie bands I find! They always tell me to shut up, but they just don't understand how Indie defines great music.

(I own like 20 records but have no record player! I = Dedicated to music)

This author is confusing their audience by mixing indie bands with emo kids. I have been a hugh fan of indie music since the mid 90s and from what I know, indie doesn't have a dress code. Indie music is what it is, an independent label.

Hey has anyone considered that emo and indie are linked. Indie is more calm and cool with european types accents

indie is such a massive genre u cant just say people waring skinny jeans are indie and you cant define it to indie rock either 80% of the signed music idustry is indie well signed to independant labels anyway but indie is more about the person and whether or not they are indiependant in there veiws on music,litrature and film yes indie is a genre for everything not just music

and its out of order that this chaps makin so many rules for something thats ment to be free

in saying that alot of people do follow the trend but they quite obiously arnt indiependant r they?

FOALS r a wiked band check em out on myspace.

xopeace outxo

I think she meant to say melanin, in which case it's a bit disturbing; fear of melanoma is more understandable. Bad editor! Bad!

SO WHAT HAPPENED TO BEING COOL ENOUGH TO DO YOUR OWN THING. MOST LIKELY YOU'LL GO YOUR WAY AND I'LL GO MINE. WHY HANKER TO BE A MOB ANIMAL . INDIE ONCE NAMED, CAN BE PIGEON HOLED AND DISMISSED.

Apparently none of the people posting their comments here realize that this was a joke article, a caricature of the indie scene, so it's not meant to be taken 100% seriously.