What is Indie Music in 2024?
In 2023, I plunged headfirst into the world of indie music. As a musician searching for a platform to share my own work, I stumbled upon X (formerly Twitter). Gradually, my feed became a treasure trove of musicians I'd never heard of, yet their music was outstanding—genuinely exceptional. This was not the indie music I remembered from my youth.
Growing up in the 80s, and spending my teens and twenties playing in bands and mingling with fellow musicians, it was common to support acts by buying their CDs, which often turned out to be lackluster. We listened out of camaraderie, but sharing those recordings with friends was a different story—they were often poorly produced. Fast forward to my forties, and I find myself amazed by the incredible productions created by people in their bedrooms. This modern indie music captivated me, inspiring me to elevate my own music production standards.
In my first year of exploring these indie gems, I realized that if I was on a quest to find the best indie music out there, others might be too. Thus, I began streaming indie music on YouTube, Monday through Friday. I started a new show called "The Indie Music Hunt", and the submissions poured in. Over the past year, we've featured over 300 indie artists who submitted more than 1,500 songs. While not every song is my favorite, they are all remarkably good. In fact, about 90% of them are more compelling than anything I had heard in mainstream music in the years prior. There is a renaissance happening in music, and yet, it's flying under the radar.
Discovering a Community
As I delved deeper into this vibrant music scene, I found my tribe. I discovered others dedicated to amplifying these talented voices. Early on, I encountered Lights and Lines, a record label with a roster of gifted artists, which also hosted an album-writing club where participants had a month to record and release an album. What an inspiring concept! I soon connected with Cosmic Bos, a duo of extraordinarily talented and kind individuals who host a monthly music challenge based on a theme. The more I explored, the more incredible people and projects I found.
I met Kelly Kinter, who spent over a year crafting a collaborative album with his wife and friends from around the globe. This album was a major inspiration for me. I encountered Andrew Hartshorn, who runs a sophisticated record label out of the UK, Monochrome Motif. Quizboy and Marc Schuster host a weekly radio show featuring indie artists at Audio Mirage Studios. Before long, my little YouTube show started receiving more submissions than I could handle. It felt like owning a record store, where my friends and I got to unbox new shipments of fantastic music live every day.
The Indie Music Hunt
The excitement was shared by a few close friends who became integral to the Indie Music Hunt. Uncle Funkbeard curates an indie playlist every Monday, Mario Marino helped build everything that brings the Indie Music Hunt to life, John Serrano and Kelly Kintner are working together to curate the Music Hunt on Tuesday and Thursday, and James Slatts curates our Friday playlists. Together, we've created a space where indie music thrives and reaches eager ears.
Indie Music in 2024: A New Definition
So, what is indie music in 2024? It's not a genre—it's a collective of diverse voices spanning all musical styles. It's no longer characterized by low-quality cassette or CD recordings. Today, indie music represents highly skilled, talented producers using accessible tools to create music that often surpasses what's heard on mainstream radio. It stands out in a world that feels increasingly inauthentic. Indie music is at the forefront of what's next, avoiding the formulaic approaches adopted by major labels over the past 25 years. It's the best music on the planet, and while not every artist will resonate with everyone, I can guarantee there are indie musicians out there who will captivate you—they just want to be heard.
In conclusion, indie music in 2024 is a testament to creativity, community, and innovation. It's a hidden world waiting to be discovered by those willing to look beyond the mainstream and appreciate the incredible talent flourishing in the indie scene.