Yes, the Internet is still the will, wild west. And in some cases, more than we realize, is has transformed so much of what we know, do, and say. I still tell my (young) kids to 'hang up the phone.' Um, in today's age of smartphones, what does that even mean? I must sound like more of a crazy person than they already think I am.
Back when I was a wacko teen and young adult, pre-Internet, indie bands were the thing man. And most of them worked their asses off to get you to listen to their stuff and come to their shows. It was a huge 'underground scene' that flourished with amazing music that often deviated from the radio and MTV. Not always, but often.
Then, the ole Internet comes along and while independent artists still have to dig in and get in the trenches — the sheer power of sharing and the 'viral' nature could end up making a band 'blow up' in popularity and listenership. Along the way, the 'underground' started to wane and indie started to catch up with mainstream.
That underground nature of indie music became something else, and this is just my opinion, but the true indie artist started to die off. And that's not a bad thing. Instead, those of us still looking for that elusive indie band started to look for something else — a unique sound. The indie artists that are catching on (and keeping the 'underground nature' alive) seem to have a more unique sound, one that the mainstream music industry is missing. So instead of people latching on for the indie sake of doing so, the more savvy indie-band-lover is seeking differentation.
The mainstream music industry doesn't hate you personally, but it'll screw you up if that's all you're listening to. I know, I know, you're a plaid vest short of being a hipster and you 'don't listen to mainstream'. Well, I bet you know the heck out of a lot of mainstream music because it's shoved down our collective throats on TV, Youtube, Netflix, movies…whatever your entertainment delivery service may be. Soon, that mainstream sound becomes the norm and some people forget to seek uniqueness because the fabric of what they like or dislike is woven by the mainstream.
"Yeah, but how does it screw me up!?" I don't know, that was a kind of sensationalism or something, but a little subconscious part of you is somehow getting tainted by the mainstream, I know it, I just know it!
So what's the cure? I'm glad you asked. I've got 2 killer independent (well, 1 band and one rapper) bands that have been around for a while and who continue to bring the freshest musical salad to the table (see that? I made it sound healthy!).
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Try It You'll Like It - Example 1: OWL
These guys have been around for minute and when I caught the teaser for their upcoming album, I knew I had to share. Besides, the bassist, Chris Wyse, is in Ace Frehley's band, he played for a long while with the Cult, Ozzy, the list goes on. This is rock with an amazing rhythm section and other-worldly guitar.
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Try It You'll Like It - Example 2: Teddy Faley
Like Teddy says, "I made this for me…" His music really does sound that way — it often defies 'regular rap'. This Baltimore native is bringing a new (at least fresher) flavor to the rap dinner table. This is a guy who produces most of his own tracks and writes rhymes that will make you take a double, if not triple, take. Again, this guy has been around for a while, time for the world to step into his shoes (he might be a size 10 not sure).
Wrap It Up
I'm not disqualifying any artist who signed with the major labels, nor am I disqualifying indie bands that have that 'mainstream sound'. I'm just saying that the underground has changed because of the digital revolution, more of us old-schoolers are seeking out unique sounds instead of the same old, same old. Thoughts?
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