Background History Of The Indie Pop Genre

Indie pop is a genre of alternative rock music that originated in the United Kingdom in the mid 1980s. While the term 'indie' had been used for some time to describe artists on independent labels (and the labels themselves), the key moment in the naming of the genre was the release of NME's C86 tape in 1986. Musically its key characteristics were jangling guitars, a love of sixties pop and often fey, innocent lyrics. It was also inspired by the DIY scene of punk and there was a thriving fanzine, label and club and gig circuit. Scenes later developed in the United States particularly around labels such as K Records. Genres such as riot grrrl and bands as diverse as Nirvana and Manic Street Preachers have acknowledged its influence. In the mid to late 80s, indie pop was criticized for its tweeness and underachievement, but many now argue that C86 and the birth of the genre was a pivotal moment for independent music in the UK. It continues to have a strong following and inspire musicians, not just in the UK but around the world with new labels, clubs and bands devoted to the sound.

In 2004 the indie pop genre had an resurgence. The UK focused Rough Trade Shops compilation Indiepop Vol 1 effectively documented the history of the sound acknowledging that it pre- and post-dated 1986. London clubs such as How Does it Feel to be Loved? continue to air tracks from the tape. In the mid-2000s, Sweden became a major exporter of indie pop with the such as Labrador Records and the success of indie pop artists from that country, notably Peter Bjorn and John, Shout Out Louds and Jens Lekman. Other indie pop acts which became popular during the late 2000s include British septet Los Campesinos!, Australian group Architecture in Helsinki, Scottish group Camera Obscura, and American groups such as The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, The Drums and Au Revoir Simone.