The stylistic fingerprints of Indie Rock music is a short list of features that can be commonly found in Indie rock music. You should refer to this list when answering the Section B stylistic question of the AS music technology listening and analysing exam (Unit 2 Music Tech Resources).
Instrumentation:
- Vocals (usually male)
- Backing Vocals
- Two guitarists – Lead and Rhythm
- Keyboards
- Bass
- Drums
Performance and Arrangement:
- Guitar as the main harmonic instrument
- Guitar sounds commonly associated with indie are often referred to as jangly – a fairly light tone, often picked, sustained arpeggios with effects
- Vocals are often fairly understated, with a melancholy or introspective feel
- Backing vocals are not usually a big feature, so the music tends to be relatively sparse
- Some songs are long and loosely structured, almost like extended jams around a groove
- Solos do not form a very important part of the music
Technology and Production:
- Guitar amplifiers and effects play a big part in the sound of Indie music – The light, sustained tone and use of delays is common in many bands
- DIY production ethic, low budget recordings based on simple capture of live performances.
Influences:
- UK Rock (The Beatles, The Who, The Kinks)
- Velvet Underground and Psychedelic Rock
- Punk Rock
- Funk
- House