Discovering Genres: 2000s Indie
The 2000s were one of the best times to be creating indie music. Artists emphasized an independent approach to music and rejected the mainstream.
Some of the most famous bands and artists to emerge from this time include the Arctic Monkeys, Bon Iver, The Killers, and The Strokes.
If you love these artists but are searching for more, here are five new indie artists you may have yet to hear of.
Band of Horses
Band of Horses is an indie/alternative band formed in 2004 in Seattle, Washington. The band comprises five members, with Ben Briswell as a member from the start. Boasting six studio albums, Band of Horses has cemented themselves in the indie scene and continues to make music today.
Source: Spotify
Spoon
Initially getting their start in 1993, Spoon has since released 10 studio albums in the indie and experimental rock genre. They have worked with four labels to produce music and are known for their chill beats. The five members' most recent album, Lucifer on a Sofa, was released in 2022.
Source: Spotify
Wilco
Wilco was created by the remaining members of the alternative country band Uncle Tupelo in 1994. With 12 studio albums, Wilco is applauded for having a very eclectic sound that mixes many genres. Their fourth album, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, fell under controversy as they had recorded it, and then Reprise Records rejected the album and dropped the band. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot went on to be their most successful album to date.
Source: Spotify
Death Cab for Cutie
Originally meant to be a solo act, Death Cab for Cutie (DCFC for short) became a group of five who formed at Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. The band’s fourth album, Transatlanticism, was the first to see significant commercial success, with many television shows featuring their music. With their most famous song “I Will Follow You Into the Dark,” they have proven themselves to be a force to be reckoned with in the indie genre.
Source: Spotify
The Decemberists
Known for historic lyrics and unique live shows, The Decemberists are a notable band in indie music. Starting in Portland, Oregon, the band has eight studio albums, with their latest released in 2018. The track “Down By the Water” earned them a nomination for Best Rock Song at the 54th Grammys.
Source: Spotify
Below is a playlist to get started with the essentials for each of these bands.
Do you have a favorite indie artist from the 2000s? Comment down below.