An Example of an Oxymoron in Music: Indie in Spain, a Commercial Scene

Abstract

Since its appearance, the term indie or independent has become one of the most difficult categories to define in urban popular music in Spain, especially because it shouldn’t strictly be considered an independent musical genre or style. This article examines this controversial term, defining it, confronting it with the concepts of musical genre and scene, and analysing the whole problem surrounding this varying term. Particular attention will be paid to many of its contradictions, the most important being its particular association with the recording industry.