What is "indie"?

[meserach.livejournal.com]

I'm sure this question has been debated endlessly here before, not to mention all over the rest of the internet, but I'm feeling poll-happy today.

[Poll #1433917]

Comments

[poptasticuk.livejournal.com]

I think it has changed - it started off as 'a particular set of moral/ethical/political/social values' but has come to mean 'a particular musical genre/aesthetic/production style' to the average Radio 1 listener, and 'It means music by musicians not signed up to one of the major labels' to the average Pitchfork reader.

[koganbot]

'It means music by musicians not signed up to one of the major labels' to the average Pitchfork reader

Not really; I doubt that Lil Jon and Brooke Hogan count as "indie" to the average Pitchfork reader. It still probably means indie rock to most of them.