By Julieta Sanguino
Crazy, misunderstood poets trying to find a place to express their fears and thoughts to reaffirm what they believe in. That’s pretty much the profile of most indie artists who see their music as an experiment that merges the love for authentic music and easy-to-digest sounds without turning into mass products.
As it happens in a very competitive industry, most of the time, these artists and their craft don’t get the attention they deserve, since the authentic ones refuse to submit to an industry that mainly looks for profit. That’s the destiny some of the best representatives of indie music face. However, it’s also true that real music buffs will never forget them. On the contrary, they praise them precisely for their convictions. So, if you consider yourself a real alternative music buff, you must really have these songs as life anthems.
“Agnes” – Glass Animals
In 2012, the indie scene welcomed this group with a refined style that introduced the genre to unique beats and synthesized sounds. The band, formed by Drew MacFarlane, Edmund Irwin-Singer, and Joe Seaward, is always looking for ways to evolve their sound without losing their unique essence.
“Someone Great” – LCD Soundsystem
This dance-punk duo based in New York is formed by James Murphy and Tim Goldsworthy. Influenced by bands like New Order, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Daft Punk, they brought a breath of fresh air to the indie scene that will make you dance while remembering the greatness of the nineties.
“Feel the Pain” – Dinosaur Jr.
Dinosaur Jr. has been around since 1985, as one of the most important and influential alternative rock groups of the US. Along with The Pixies and Sonic Youth, they’re pretty much the pioneers of noise rock.
“To Be Alone with You” – Sufjan Stevens
This self-taught musician reminds us of classic American folk. Being alone with someone to lose yourself in them. That’s the premise of one of their most romantic and iconic songs.
“Low” – Plastic Cup
This band of veterans has managed to get the best critics and reviews with albums like The Invisible Way. They have quite an interesting music formula that make of this duet a superb exponent of indie music, according to music critic Jason Heller.
“Cut Your Hair” – Pavement
When they started out, Pavement was only looking to become a band known and loved only for their music. That’s why they refused to do live shows and even avoided press at all costs. That made them not only a mysterious band, but also quite an appealing one that has become one of the most important underground groups of the last years. Some critics, like Robert Christgau and Stephen Thomas Erlewine, consider Pavement as the best alternative band of the 90s.
“Do You” – Spoon
As part of their 2014 album, They Want My Soul, Spoon released the single “Do You,” a song that had an amazing reception from the critics. The video has a unique vibe that reveals the strange and chaotic reality of the youth world. This band from Austin, Texas is considered one of the pillars of indie rock according to Rolling Stone.
“If I Could Change your Mind” – HAIM
The HAIM sisters have become one of the most important indie groups in today’s music scene. They’ve released a couple of EPs and have collaborated with important artists and bands like Kid Cudi. They’ve taken their fresh sounds to some of the most important indie music festivals of the world.
“Late Night” – Foals
From Oxford, England, Foals is known for being a band who’s always looking for more. Unlike other bands of the type, they make everything related to their music without using samples or other collaborating with others. Their lead singer, Yannis Philippakis, has been named one of the best musicians by the NME.
“Son of a Gun” – The Vaselines
With a simple but effective sound, this Scottish band from Glasgow has become one of the most important indie bands of the UK. “Son of a Gun,” their first song, is one of the most famous and well-received songs; with less than seven lines, it has become an anthem for indie music lovers.
“I’ll Be Around” – Yo la tengo
Famous for their covers and different studio albums, Yo la tengo, is considered one of the best bands in the US, and those who know them, are really devoted fans. They have a limited commercial success, but without a doubt, they’re a pillar in the indie scene.
“First Day of My Life” – Bright Eyes
Their single “I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning,” released in 2005, is a gorgeous song that reached the 266th spot in the 500 best songs from the 2000s. The band has appeared in several TV shows and movies like Elvis and Anabelle, The Bubble, and the series Chuck. This simple quote from the song can make your life much better: “Yours is the first face that I saw, I think I was blind before I met you.”
“Blood Bank” – Bon Iver
Though Bon Iver didn’t expect much from this song, it’s actually one of their most famous ones. Fun fact: this single appeared in three episodes of Skins.
“Hey Dude” – Kula Shaker
Mixing Indian culture and psychedelic rock, this British band writes most of their songs in Sanskrit. After a brief break in 1999, in 2004, they got together to make more music, becoming a really influential Britpop band.
“People Say” – Portugal the Man
This group from Alaska has released six studio albums and three EPs. They’re famous not only for their music, but also for their short films like “Sleep Forever,” “Got it All,” and “In the Mountain in the Cloud.”
“Jesus Etc.” – Wilco
Their simplicity is so great, that when Wilco sings, it creates magic. They’ve released eight studio albums, a live one, and three collaborations that make them an indispensable band in the indie rock canon.
Translated by María Isabel Carrasco Cara Chards
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