What Is Indie II: More thoughts on what it means

To me "indie" has nothing to do with major labels, and nothing to do with money, although being "independent" often means less money. It is not about how you dress, who you work for, or where you like to hang out. It has nothing to do with being cool or hip, in fact being indie often means that you are far from cool or hip. Indie means just exactly what it says, it is about being independent, about being your own person and retaining your identity and integrity. You can be an 'indie' artist, or an 'indie' computer programmer, or an 'indie' accountant.

In the case of music it doesn't matter whether your label is big or small, what matters is the effect that label has on the artist. The Clash were a big label act, but I don't think Joe Strummer ever lost his independence. Henry Rollins does a television show, I don't think he's ever even been accused of selling out. If the music is still good, I'll keep listening. I don't care how much money they make. I don't care if the label is big or small.

There has been alot of talk lately that Polaris nominated artists Feist and the Arcade Fire aren't indie anymore. From what I can tell both have retained their integrity, they are still very much in control of their music, and doing their own thing their own way - so, still indie. Those that claim otherwise are simply not being realistic. Being successful and earning a living are not crimes. In the case of Leslie Feist, one of the creators of Arts & Crafts, having more money may well benefit Canadian independent music on the whole.

It is very 'cool' for young misguided, disengenuous would be hipsters to claim that anyone who makes enough money to quit their day job has 'sold out' but most of these are kids. Kids from middle class homes who will soon have (or already do have) jobs paying far more than most of the 'indie' artists who they insist should remain poor.

As I've said before, I like shows in small clubs, I like to buy the CD directly from the artists, but there will always be acts to fill the small clubs. There will always be new artists to find, and I do not begrudge a good artist their success, as long as the music is still good. I may not go to see their big stadium show, but that is a different question altogether.

Judge the artists you respect (in music, film, literature or anything else) on the quality, honesty, creativity and integrity of their work, not the size of their paycheque or who signs it.