Indie Culture...?

[Erika Teufel]

Many of you have probably either seen or heard of the show My Life as Liz on MTV which depicts the "true life" of an "indie girl" who just does whatever she so feels and resists the pressure to conform to the man. And I cannot tell you how many times people have come up to me and said "you remind me of that girl from My Life as Liz" or "hey, Liz!" joking around since I knew what they were talking about.

<--- Liz Lee

<--- Me (cute, I know...)

But isn't the whole point of being an "indie kid" supposed to be not being in a set stereotype or culture? Even the music that I listen to daily is being put into the mainstream radio stations like Owl City (which whom I share close mutual friends), The Ting Tings, Phoenix, and even Shiny Toy Guns. All of these bands have been in car commercials, iPod commercials, and even American Idol this past season. This brings me to the question of how does this culture even exsist?

Now a lot of you know me as a free spirit when it comes to music, clothing style, hair, and even personality, but how am I supposed to be an individual when big shots like MTV are persuading people to become "hipsters" or "indie kids" because that's what's in? New flash: I was a hipster way before it was the thing to do. (Yes, this is me picking on some posers) But sometimes I feel like they give us a bad name. Yes, we do shower, yes, we listen to other music that you HAVE heard of, no, not all of us smoke copious amounts of cigarettes, and yes, I do shop at places other than Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, and thrift stores (even though that's where I mainly shop).

This YouTube video basically explains the stereotypical hipster lifestyle (which in itself is completely contradictory)

Okay, so maybe I do listen to bands you've never heard of, and I do attend five dollar concerts in back rooms of a bar, and I'm friends with a bunch of small bands, but this whole culture of the indie kid is just weird for me. I know they're all going to find each other and gather up, but the whole point is that we never fit into a pre-formed stereotype. But I guess it was only time until there were so many people that we just decided to hang out with ourselves...I guess we just get each other more than everyone outside of the "stereotype".

We're not freaks, we're fun, we like to have a good time, we're carefree, and we love our music and some Zooey Deschanel and Paul Dano...well, that's me at least :)

What are your thoughts on this?

Just another ironic indie thing, or a contradiction?

Any influence on your life at all?

Ironic hipster or a homeless person?

What do you think a "hipster/indie kid" should be? (I won't be offended if you say me...)

here's a more realistic version of a typical "hipster"

(he rocks the beard. It's great)

[Darby Douglas]

I think when people call themselves, "Hipster" or "Indie" that they are conforming to the stereotype. I'm friends with some people who call themselves Indie. And I find it kind of contradicting when Indie comes from "Independent," and my friends go out of their way to look for bands no one's heard of, and restricting themselves from stores that aren't Urban Outfitters. In my opinion if they were "Indie-Independent" they wouldn't find shame in liking songs other people have heard  of, or shopping where other people shop. I think people should just do what they like without labeling their model. I have some "indie" clothes and some "preppy" clothes and plain t shirts. I listen to music you may or may not have heard of. Honestly, if I like it I'll wear it, listen to it, or whatever. I don't want to label myself because I feel like I'd end up restricting myself to only do what that group of people do so I could better fit that label.

[Erika Teufel]

Pitchfork > Lolla. Every band that plays at Pitchfork usually goes to Lollapalooza the next year. It's insane. Pitchfork is a perfect example of all those hipsters and indie kids getting together and hangin' out. Great music festival, though :)

[Matt Krinke]

This is a really great blog post :D
I like to think of myself as indie, but I don't conform to the standard of "hipster."
But I mean of course I'll go to Pitchfork this Summer but only for the music haha. I think we all have a line drawn in front of us and if we cross into true indie-ism, we wouldn't really do anything. :P