What's Your Genre?

He loves country. She loves indie. They occasionally cross over but more often than not, they butt heads and insult each other's tastes on a regular basis. All in good fun though, I think? What do you prefer -- country or indie? Both? Neither? Let 'em know.

Sean:

When individuals describe their interest in music as, "I like EVERYTHING...everything except country, that is," I cringe and throw them into a category filled with people who refuse to give the idea of "culture" a chance. It's one thing if you've listened to Hank Williams Jr., George Strait, Willie Nelson, Alan Jackson and Kenny Chesney and didn't think it was your thing. But those who immediately scream, "Change it," when southern twang comes onto the radio aren't respected by me. And you shouldn't respect them either. Country music comes from a long line of culture traced back to a much simpler time when music was all anybody had. Strumming the steel chords of a guitar helped those in the South forget about being poor and material-less.

Indie music is great and there's no way I can sit here and knock it. It's a unique genre that refuses to sound like anything mainstream. Even certain Indie music sounds nothing like other Indie music. But when it comes to comparing the two -- country and indie -- I have to stand behind a genre that combines line dancing, the 1920s, gospel, hillbilly sounds and the man who really originated it all and gave it a voice, Elvis Presley. Although Presley is normally associated with rock, his Southern roots shine too far through, beginning as a country star before rockin' out a new genre. Rock is what it is because of country -- and everyone loves rock. Memphis and perhaps Nashville would never be what it is today without him. And if you could only name one artist to associate with the idea of "music," you'd rattle off Elvis Presley. Country music is the definition of music, whether you think it's all about cowboy boots, trucks and shotgun racks or not. This is where culture originates in music, just strummin' on the banjo or acoustic guitar. It's bliss.

Sam:

I can actually pinpoint when my love of indie music originated. I was 7 years old and my dad bought me my first CD, Frente- Marvin the Album. The Australian pop/rock group introduced me to the world of independent labels and I've been hooked ever since. I still whip out my Frente CD from time to time, for the shear reason that indie music, like Frente, never gets old or outdated.

Indie music consists of groups/artists that have not been signed to labels. Most likely they haven't been signed because they have a different sound or because they suck (every genre has bands that suck, and indie is not excluded). However, the bands that are worthwhile are extremely original, and because of that originality- they are timeless. Most of the normal country/pop/rap heard on the radio will not be enjoyable in 20 years, it may not even be enjoyable in 20 days. Popular music changes, but if it was never popular in the first place, how can it go out of style?

I like comparing indie music to run-way fashion. A select few can see pieces on the run-way and recognize the beauty, while most scoff at the garments eccentricity. Nevertheless, most clothing seen in trendy stores was originally based off of run-way fashion. Indie music is the same way. Few can recognize its greatness, but when toned-down versions of indies musical styles surface on the radio, crowds love it.