surface indie

Refers to indie bands or artists that are only obscure in that they have no Top 40 plays or chart hits, but are otherwise at least moderately well-known among music fans. The name comes from the fact that these bands are among the first that people discover when they are getting into indie music, as they are just scratching the surface. Surface indie bands often penetrate the mainstream consciousness from time to time, usually by appearing on TV show or movie soundtracks, or by signing to a major label. Examples include Sufjan Stevens, Belle and Sebastian, and The Decemberists. Smug hipsters will often deride surface indie bands by saying the quality of the music suffers as a result of their increasing popularity (and are especially prone to claiming those bands have sold out), but this is just pointless douchebaggery.

Don't listen to that hipster douchebag who says it gets so much better than Of Montreal. If you enjoy surface indie, then listen to it.

by roundthewheel October 24, 2007

indie hacker

Someone who builds products (usually software) on their own, without taking on VC funding.

“Have you seen the new Email marketing software Julie just launched? She bootstrapped it over three years. I’m glad to see Indie Hackers like her succeeding!”

by dawas September 7, 2019

Tossichello Indie

Tossichello indie tossjk𝜀llo jndj, also defined as chill dude who likes to listen to indie music and to smoke joints quite often. But he’s not only this: he talks about geopolitics, or/and is a bit of an artist.
In his tastes we include rolling his own cigarettes, drinking cheap bear and going to contemporary exibitions that no one understands.
It's a vibe, so you cannot learn it. (Aka intrinsic vibe)

“Hey look at that dude with long hair in a bun! He must be a tossichello indie”

by Lux1711 October 29, 2022

Landfill Indie

UK phrase referring to the amount of generic guitar based bands. It is characterised by:
* complete lack of rhythmic invention
* weedy vocals
* utter self-absorption
* million of songs about nothing but how *weird* the world is
* having gone on about twenty five years too long.

Credit also goes to Andrew Harrison at Word Magazine for coining the term "landfill indie"

Friend: "Ahh who is playing glastonbury this year?"

Me: "Some Landfill indie bands!"

Friend: "Like who?"

Me: "Scouting for girls, the kooks, the ting tings bands like that"

by Masterflash October 27, 2008

indie-vasion

When a party has been overwhelmed by indie music (boring crap) when there should be party music on.

This also includes the indie kids at the party telling inside jokes and discussing there stupid favourite bands.

Kev- Hey Erin were in an F-ing indie-vasion right now.

Erin- Totes, this is such an indie-vasion, turn off this crap

by Totes Magotes November 29, 2009

indie (adj.)

Having to do with the culture and lifestyle surrounding the independent music scene. The genre grew out of Sonic Youth's alternative rock movement of the 80's which spawned bands like Nirvana. When alternative rock, ironically, went mainstream and began getting playtime on commercial FM radio stations, the music left under the radar became known as "indie." Some notable indie bands of the 1990's were Built To Spill and Neutral Milk Hotel. Currently, indie music is becoming more popular. Bands like Modest Mouse and Death Cab for Cutie are signing with major record labels. Many are appearing on late night television talk shows (e.g. Rilo Kiley, The Walkmen). Some view this as a good thing, that perhaps the general public will finally start listening to some good music. Others, wanting to retain their exclusive status, are listening to more obscure bands to counteract this trend. Many indie people claim to prefer vinyl.

FM radio listener: I think I like this indie music. The Killers are where it's at!
Indie kid: The Killers released their debut album on Island Records, asshole.

Indie kid: Have you heard of Suburban Lifeboat or The Juicy Chalkboards?
FM radio listener: What the fuck is wrong with you?
note: the band names mentioned in the above example are made up and are meant to demonstrate the strange and sometimes silly titles of indie bands

by Josh January 5, 2005

Indiebait

Any media (movies, music, art, advertisements and etc) obviously made by middle-aged businessmen to pull in money from "hipsters" or "indie kids"

Adam: Hey did you see 500 days of summer yet, Its an indie flick so you know it will properly and realistically tell a story that a teenager like me can relate to!
Chris: No, its gotten so much media coverage and funding from Hollywood executives and is being produced by fox. Not really an indie film. Its just made to look like that to make money off of hipster kids like you. Total indiebait.
Adam: ...

by Jinglejangles July 16, 2009