The Earology Dept.

What up world? My name is d. durand aka double-D. Its simple, I am starting this blog because I am a huge music fan. Yes, I dabble in other genres of music from the deep Delta Blues, Jazz, Rap, R& B, and World, etc. However, my preference is Alternative and Indie music. For some the terms alternative and indie are interchangeable. However, back in the day alternative music was usually defined as the music that wasn’t mainstream, i.e. very few people heard about  it. For multiple reasons, alternative music received very little air play, and more often than not the majority of Alternative music originated out of the U.K. The Punk scene of the late 70’s and throughout the 80’s, which fostered bands like The Sex Pistols, The Cramps, and Bad Brains et. al. Yet, in spite of its humble and obscure beginnings Alternative music has stood the test of time. The alternative/indie scene has evolved into a multi-headed Hydra of musical delight. How fucking poetic is that?

In regards to Pop music, historically ‘alternative/indie’ music rarely found its way onto many top music countdowns or charts. Yet, little by little the oddity that was alternative music crept into the ranks and the hearts of fans worldwide. In 1992 one of the biggest, and rarest, examples would be Radiohead’s http://radiohead.com/ first major hit “Creep”. By any definition this was an alternative music success story. In the U.S. it was voted #31 by VH1 in their best songs of the 90’s.
http://blog.vh1.com/2007-12-13/top-100-songs-of-the-90s/

The music that is so strongly identified as ‘alternative’ music is viewed by most as an alternative musical choice to Pop or Mainstream artist. But for a growing number of music lovers alternative/indie is the only genre of music worth listening to.  Over the past two decades the genre has grown tremendously and the alternative/indie field is now as diverse as it’s contemporary counterparts of Pop, R&B, Rap, and Country.

Indie = INDEPENDENT

However, by definition ‘indie’ music is categorized as music created by bands not signed to major labels or bands who own and/or self-produce their own music. Typically ‘indie’ bands do not follow the usual route established by major labels, and by doing so they enjoy greater creative freedom and benefit significantly by keeping the majority of the profits generated by their hard work. But whether or not a band or singer songwriter is classified as ‘alternative’ or ‘indie’ doesn’t determine whether or not they pass mustard as far as I am concerned. I like what I like, for instance the band Passion Pit http://www.passionpitmusic.com/ is signed to the independent label Frenchkiss based in New York and is therefore viewed as an ‘indie’ band. However, a similar band MGMT http://www.whoismgmt.com/us/home is signed to Columbia Records, a major player in the music industry. Regardless, I like both bands because they create music I enjoy listening to. Period. And not because one is or isn’t considered an ‘indie’ band.

I have been around for more than a few decades, and I have been and I remain an ardent die hard fan of the pioneers of the ‘alternative’ music scene. Bands like: The Smiths, Bauhaus, Hüsker Dü, The Housemartins, Joy Division, Love & Rockets, Echo and The Bunnymen, XTC, Siouxsie Sioux and The Banshees, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The The, New Order, The Cure, R.E.M., The Sugercubes, Jane’s Addiction, Eurasure, They Might Be Giants, Sonic Youth, and Portishead just to name a few. These bands paved the way and their influence is evident in so many of the alternative or indie bands making music today. Like most music consumers I am constantly on the look out for new and exciting music. So, not only will I be sharing my musical favorites and discoveries with you but I welcome your suggestions as well.