favorite Indie bands

[rockthecasbah]

What are some of your favorite indie pop bands? Some of my favorites include (in no particular order):

- The Decemberists
- Death Cab For Cutie
- Basement Apartments
- Halloween, Alaska
- BC Camplight
- American Analog Set
- Of Montreal
- Built Like Alaska

Maybe this thread could start an indie revolution, people will keep finding new bands. That would be so awesome... :) :) :)

[buryyourbrideau]

not too into indie but....

DCFC
broken social scene
belle and sebastian
sigur ros
the arcade fire



:)

[skipperchong]

I can't stop listening to the hold steady. the new spoon album is great too.

[mike3k]

some of these aren't really indies:

antibalas
babaloo
children of the revolution
mike doughty (does he count as indie even though he signed with ato records?)
johnny clegg
mogwai
sigur ros
string cheese incident
they might be giants

[swindmill]

Death Cab for Cutie is the only bad in this genre that I've really listened to. I've been hooked ever since I heard them open for Pearl Jam. They were one of the best live bands I've seen.

[apple2991]

The Decemberists
Grandaddy
Belle & Sebastian
Eels

5 days ago, I saw The Decemberists play at the Orange Peel--a medium sized club in Asheville, North Carolina. The show was INCREDIBLE. About halfway through the show, however, midway through The Chimbley Sweep, a short, shaggy-looking figure emerged from backstage with a guitar around his neck, shredding away an amazing solo. The jam session continued for about 30 seconds before people figured out who the denim-jacket clad rocker was--Ryan Adams, who was to be performing at the Civic Center the next night (I was there, too). Ryan proceeded to lie on his back, playing the guitar, and the lead singer for Decemberists motioned for all 700 people in the club to sit down cross-legged as the entire band played out the rest of the song lying on their backs.

If anyone wants to hear how I got hit on by Rachael Yamagata the very next night, let me know. Just don't want to bore anyone.

[polyesterlester]

A lot of these really aren't indie bands...

The Robot Ate Me
John Butler Trio
Ginger Ninjas
Running With Knives
The Microphones
Clyde Federal
Mclusky (R.I.P.)
M. Ward
Andrew Bird
CocoRosie
Devendra Banhart
Quasar Wut-Wut

[rockthecasbah]

The Decemberists
Grandaddy
Belle & Sebastian
Eels

5 days ago, I saw The Decemberists play at the Orange Peel--a medium sized club in Asheville, North Carolina. The show was INCREDIBLE. About halfway through the show, however, midway through The Chimbley Sweep, a short, shaggy-looking figure emerged from backstage with a guitar around his neck, shredding away an amazing solo. The jam session continued for about 30 seconds before people figured out who the denim-jacket clad rocker was--Ryan Adams, who was to be performing at the Civic Center the next night (I was there, too). Ryan proceeded to lie on his back, playing the guitar, and the lead singer for Decemberists motioned for all 700 people in the club to sit down cross-legged as the entire band played out the rest of the song lying on their backs.

If anyone wants to hear how I got hit on by Rachael Yamagata the very next night, let me know. Just don't want to bore anyone.

I envy you, I wish i was there!!!!!!!!!! The Decemberists are so awesome, i've loved them since Castaways and Cutouts, and their cds just get better and better. Picaresque totally is awesome, especially since there is a shofar in "The Infanta." The Decemberists are just so unique with their historic stories and folk instruments, its like a breath of fresh air.

[Duff-Man]

Duff-Man says.....

Azure Ray (http://azureraymusic.com/)
Rilo Kiley (http://www.rilokiley.com/)
Shannon Wright (http://www.quiltofdemand.org/)
Emiliana Torrini (http://www.emilianatorrini.com/) (some of the Bjork fans here may like her...)
Elane (http://www.elane.de.vu/)
....and many many more....oh yeah!

[ldenman]

bright eyes
grandaddy
sigur ros
mogwai
rilo kiley
desaperacidos
elbow
daniel johnston
devendra banhart
cocorosie
postal service..

thats all for now.

[vollspacken]

I like the Postal Service :)

I normally don't listen to this kind of music... ;)

vSpacken

[taeclee99]

Too many to list but here goes:

The Arcade Fire
The Arrogants
The Boy Least Likely To
Brendan Benson
Bright Eyes
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
The Clientele
Death Cab For Cutie
The Decemberists
The Departure
Dntel
Fiery Furnaces
Figurine
Galaxie 500
Iron and Wine
Kevin Tihista's Red Terror
Lali Puna
Marlboro Chorus
Mirah
Morcheeba
The Mountain Goats
Neutral Milk Hotel
Postal Service
The Radio Dept
Red House Painters
Rilo Kiley
The Shins
Stars
Yo La Tengo

[ldenman]

Too many to list but here goes:

The Arcade Fire
The Arrogants
The Boy Least Likely To
Brendan Benson
Bright Eyes
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
The Clientele
Death Cab For Cutie
The Decemberists
The Departure
Dntel
Fiery Furnaces
Figurine
Galaxie 500
Iron and Wine
Kevin Tihista's Red Terror
Lali Puna
Marlboro Chorus
Mirah
Morcheeba
The Mountain Goats
Neutral Milk Hotel
Postal Service
The Radio Dept
Red House Painters
Rilo Kiley
The Shins
Stars
Yo La Tengo

oh man! i forgot all about neutral, red house, shins, and mirah! i suck.

very great selection.

[taeclee99]

oh man! i forgot all about neutral, red house, shins, and mirah! i suck.

very great selection.

Thanks, I am a huge indie music junkie. The best place for indie music of course is www.emusic.com. 40 downloads a months for $9.99 and no DRM.

Some great indie music review sites include:

www.pitchforkmedia.com
www.popmatters.com

[Nickygoat]

Duff-Man says.....


Emiliana Torrini (http://www.emilianatorrini.com/) (some of the Bjork fans here may like her...)
Yeah she's great.
Top at the moment are The Kaiser Chiefs (but I may be biased ;) )

[ldenman]

Thanks, I am a huge indie music junkie. The best place for indie music of course is www.emusic.com. 40 downloads a months for $9.99 and no DRM.

Some great indie music review sites include:

www.pitchforkmedia.com
www.popmatters.com
yea man...pitchfork is great. i have never been to he other one.
and music downloads...i just use soulseek. there is a version of it for macs too. :)

[scem0]

Mates of State
Rilo Kiley

Duff-Man says.....
Emiliana Torrini (http://www.emilianatorrini.com/) (some of the Bjork fans here may like her...)


I'm definitely going to check her out.

scem0

[sarae]

I like a couple of the bands that others have mentioned (arcade fire, decemberists, death cab for cutie..) but it's at the point these days where I don't really know what bands are "indie" and which aren't. What really qualifies them? Once they get MTV airplay, is a band no longer indie?

[killmoms]

I like a couple of the bands that others have mentioned (arcade fire, decemberists, death cab for cutie..) but it's at the point these days where I don't really know what bands are "indie" and which aren't. What really qualifies them? Once they get MTV airplay, is a band no longer indie?
Technically, all an indie band has to have to be indie is a deal with an independent record label, read not one of the "Big Five." However, indie is usually interpreted as "indie rock" which sort of has a specific sound, so lots of people refer to bands like DCFC as indie, even though they've signed with major labels. I can't remember, did Interpol sign with a major record label, or are they still on Matador (not that it really matters, Matador has gotten so large now)?

One of my favorite indie pop artists is Imogen Heap. Her newest album "Speak For Yourself" (out in the UK, not here yet) is absolutely fantastic. Some of you might recognize her as the singer from the indie pop duo Frou Frou (a collab with producer Guy Sigsworth).

[Whyren]

Duff-Man says.....

Emiliana Torrini (http://www.emilianatorrini.com/) (some of the Bjork fans here may like her...)
....oh yeah!

Definitely a good singer. You may also have heard her in Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers...she sang "Gollum's Song" at the end credits.

[.:*Robot Boy*:.]

Too many to list but here goes:

The Arcade Fire
The Arrogants
The Boy Least Likely To
Brendan Benson
Bright Eyes
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
The Clientele
Death Cab For Cutie
The Decemberists
The Departure
Dntel
Fiery Furnaces
Figurine
Galaxie 500
Iron and Wine
Kevin Tihista's Red Terror
Lali Puna
Marlboro Chorus
Mirah
Morcheeba
The Mountain Goats
Neutral Milk Hotel
Postal Service
The Radio Dept
Red House Painters
Rilo Kiley
The Shins
Stars
Yo La Tengo

My list pretty much matches yours, with the addition of some NZ indie bands (Tall Dwarfs, The Clean, The 3Ds, etc), and some older indie bands (Pavement, Sebadoh, etc).

Speaking of Neutral Milk Hotel, I got my Holland 1945/Engine 7" signed by Jeff Mangum the other day! Which, for those who don't know, is about as likely an event as a Beatles reunion. He's been totally reclusive for the past four years or so. Also the single is pretty rare too, but I managed to get it off of eBay for about US$60.

Man, I'm such a fanboy!

[Lara F]

Great stuff on these lists! I've just started to get into the indie scene - major thanks to KCRW. I only have three new to add:

Goldspot (http://www.goldspot.net) - here's their MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/goldspot) page. Album to be officially released August 23 and I can vouch for it being awesome.
The Breakmakers (http://www.breakmakers.co.uk/) - for great indie Britpop. :)
Sufjan Stevens - I especially loved "Chicago".

[rockthecasbah]

My list pretty much matches yours, with the addition of some NZ indie bands (Tall Dwarfs, The Clean, The 3Ds, etc), and some older indie bands (Pavement, Sebadoh, etc).

Speaking of Neutral Milk Hotel, I got my Holland 1945/Engine 7" signed by Jeff Mangum the other day! Which, for those who don't know, is about as likely an event as a Beatles reunion. He's been totally reclusive for the past four years or so. Also the single is pretty rare too, but I managed to get it off of eBay for about US$60.

Man, I'm such a fanboy!
wow man, $60..i sure hope you love it haha. I mean for me to a point i will only pay so much. In terms of music, i don't like buying stuff so i 'have' it, i buy it because i like it and listen to it. I hope thats the case with you! But congrats if thats your thing :)

[inlimbo]

The Pixies!!!!!!!!

My friend raves about Bloc Party - i dont know anything about them

[rockthecasbah]

The Pixies!!!!!!!!

My friend raves about Bloc Party - i dont know anything about them
i think Bloc Party is very overrated. I mean its not that i don't like them, i just don't think they are half as good as people make them to be. To me, Bloc Party is a decent band with decent songs and will be forgotten in 4 years.

Jimbo:"oh remember bloc party? Yeah what happened to them..." Kinda like what Eve 6.

[swy32x]

Bloc Party
The Arcade Fire
Maximo Park
MF DOOM
Masta Ace

[PlaceofDis]

my favorites would have to be:

Wilco (if you consider them indie)
Bright Eyes
Elliott Smith

[vollspacken]

MF DOOM
Masta Ace

MF Doom and Masta Ace are soooooooo indie..?! :rolleyes:

vSpacken

[swy32x]

MF Doom and Masta Ace are soooooooo indie..?! :rolleyes:

vSpacken
What label are they signed to?

Indie band = unsigned artists.

[Capt Underpants]

What label are they signed to?

Indie band = unsigned artists.

It would be interpreted a couple of ways, though. "Indie" is sometimes referred to as a genre, these days. It doesn't always mean an unsigned artist.

[zelmo]

Dismemberment Plan
echolyn
Alambic
Minimum Vital

[BiggeeC]

You know, they're no longer a band, nor were they indie by any means, but I have to recommend Velvet Underground. They're just an incredible, incredible band. And besides, nobody listens to them anymore, so that kind of fits this thread. It blows me away how much good music there was back in the day. I tell people to listen to Zep or Jimi, and they say, "Nah, I'd rather listen to Sugar Ray". I don't know how these people live with themselves.

and I know that they aren't indie anymore, but Interpol is a fabulous band that nobody listens to. Doves as well.

[PlaceofDis]

You know, they're no longer a band, nor were they indie by any means, but I have to recommend Velvet Underground. They're just an incredible, incredible band. And besides, nobody listens to them anymore, so that kind of fits this thread. It blows me away how much good music there was back in the day. I tell people to listen to Zep or Jimi, and they say, "Nah, I'd rather listen to Sugar Ray". I don't know how these people live with themselves.

and I know that they aren't indie anymore, but Interpol is a fabulous band that nobody listens to. Doves as well.

Interpol is indeed awesome, i have one of their efforts, its not highly played for me, but they are good. Velvet Underground...... its been awhile since i have given them a listen too, thanks now i will go and have something to listen to!

[swy32x]

It would be interpreted a couple of ways, though. "Indie" is sometimes referred to as a genre, these days. It doesn't always mean an unsigned artist.
Ah, right.

So is this for indie genre or for people on independent record labels?

[PlaceofDis]

Ah, right.

So is this for indie genre or for people on independent record labels?

since the original poster said:

Maybe this thread could start an indie revolution, people will keep finding new bands. That would be so awesome...

i would venture to guess it is about people on independent labels

[Plymouthbreezer]

One of my favorite indie pop artists is Imogen Heap. Her newest album "Speak For Yourself" (out in the UK, not here yet) is absolutely fantastic. Some of you might recognize her as the singer from the indie pop duo Frou Frou (a collab with producer Guy Sigsworth).
I love Imogen Heap too, I was waiting for someone to post them. Frou Frou has a stunning vocal quality to her voice.

Hide and Seek is perhaps one of my favorite songs.

[killmoms]

I love Imogen Heap too, I was waiting for someone to post them. Frou Frou has a stunning vocal quality to her voice.
Got it backwards. Immi is the "her." Frou Frou is the "they." :p

[Plymouthbreezer]

Got it backwards. Immi is the "her." Frou Frou is the "they." :p
Haha, you knew what I meant. :p

[Sdashiki]

indie today means anyone who isnt famous and cuz you listen to them, makes you cooler than those who listen to MTV.

But in reality, you just need to be on a label no one has ever heard of...

DareDiablo
Mercury Program
Turing Machine
Prefuse 73
Def-Jux

[Whyren]

The former Splashdown and Universal Hall Pass.

[amateurmacfreak]

Some great indie music review sites include:

www.pitchforkmedia.com
www.popmatters.com

Yeah, I love Pitchfork. Never been to the other one. I'll check it out. :)

[amateurmacfreak]

The Decemberists, Arcade Fire, The Postal Service, Death Cab for Cutie, Neutral Milk Hotel, The Shins, Modest Mouse, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Broken Social Scene... etc.
Imo Modest Mouse hasn't gotten enough mention here. Any of you guys listen to them?

[interlaced]

Minus the Bear
Mates of State
Sondre Lerche
Neutral Milk Hotel
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Tegan and Sara
Arcade Fire
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Death Cab

[Mr. Jones]

I'm not on my computer with all my music, but I'll give this a whirl.
12 Stones
Ashley 6
Autolux
Benny B and the Durbs
Death From Above 1979
Moving to Pluto
onesidezero
Silent Drive
Stalefish 1
Stereomud
Straylight Run
The Manix
The Ragamuffins
VAST
Vaux

Those are all that immediately come to mind.

[iShane]

Bloc Party
Le Tigre
The Postal Service
Maximo Park
CoCoRosie
Belle & Sebastian
My Toys Like Me
The Video Club
Beck
Tegan and Sara
The Strokes (If you consider them Indie)
The White Stripes
Bloodhound Gang
The Dresden Dolls
Artic Monkeys
Razorlight
Im a Robot
Snow Patrol
Death Cab for Cutie

And a lot more.

[dornoforpyros]

Mindless Self Indulgence! (you'll either love them or HATE them when you hear em)

[mrwildguitar]

Rap:
Jedi Mind Tricks
Immortal Technique
Outerspace
Chief Kamachi
Reef The Lost Cauze
Army Of The Pharaohs

Rock:
Turbonegro
The Hellacopters
Kare and The Cavemen

[muffinman]

hard-fi
embrace

both are british, and both are great. neither are indie "pop," more of a indie rock, and embrace is not really indie anymore... their single is number 2 on the british charts i think.

hard fi is not well known, but I started listening to them and i thought the music sucked. but after listening for a while you'll love it.

british tunes rock. no other country has music like the british

[thecheda]

the format
northstar
the album leaf
the clips
andrew kenny


and death cab.

[M-theory]

indie today means anyone who isnt famous and cuz you listen to them, makes you cooler than those who listen to MTV.

But in reality, you just need to be on a label no one has ever heard of...

DareDiablo
Mercury Program
Turing Machine
Prefuse 73
Def-Jux

love Prefuse 73...you've got good taste in music.

[GnarleyMarley87]

Gosh, there is soo many at the moment. Can't complain about that though. Anyway, the ones that have been in heavy rotation on my ipod have been Broken Social Scene, Of Montreal, and Arcade Fire(as I go to bed).