Indie Bands vs. the Big Time
by Jennifer Schwartz
Issue 3, Winter/Spring 2004
We all know that there is a difference between major label bands and indie bands. But one might wonder how large the gap that separates the two really is. The answer: it's actually quite a fine line. Sure, bands with record deals earn more money, but an indie band can be just as popular - sometimes (rarely, but it does happen), even more popular than a signed band. And yes, signed bands get promoted a lot more, due to hired professionals doing the job. However, being an indie band with great promotion is much more rewarding, because you've done most of the promoting yourself. Indie bands also meet more of their fans, generally speaking that is. So, that would work in your, the fan's, favor. In fact, a key difference between major label and indie label bands is the fans. We usually see indie artists as people who are more like us; people that we can relate to more, because they're not pampered day and night, unlike bands who've reached "the big time."
If you were asked if you would rather be in an indie band or a band who's reached the big time, what would your answer be? Most of us would probably want to be in the big time band. My reasoning for that assumption is that when we hear the phrase "big time", we think of a larger audience, more fans, more pampering - basically more, more, more. You might even think of being in a big time band as a more rewarding experience than being in an indie band that doesn't make it big. However, "big" basically means "popular" in the way we're using the word, and indie bands can be very popular. And so, the verdict is: The difference between an indie and a big time band is all in our minds. We have an idea of what each of those terms mean, but we rarely look deep enough into both to get the true meaning out of them. So, the next time you go to a major label band's show, remember - indie bands can rock just as hard, if not harder.