A thin red line connects the present to the past in the world of music and record labels: independence.
Even though many indie labels have over time been absorbed by the majors, the “indie” label has become a recognizable style, loved and followed by fans of all ages and backgrounds; more than a musical genre, it has become a symbol of creative freedom.
This History of Indie explores this evolution, focusing on the 1980s–a period marked by the era of Thatcher and Reagan–during which, between the United States and England, a new generation of labels (SST, Homestead, Matador, Sub Pop, and others) and artists such as Nirvana and R.E.M. emerged, establishing themselves as symbols of artistic independence.