indie
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indie
A term for music, films, or other art forms that are produced independently of large commercial companies (major labels). The term stands for a particular aesthetic and attitude.
Ich höre am liebsten Indie aus den 90er Jahren.
I most like listening to indie from the 1990s.
'Indie' is a shortened form of the English word 'independent', which means 'unabhängig' (independent). The term refers to culture that is produced independently of large commercial companies.
Viele Indie-Bands veröffentlichen ihre Musik selbst.
Many indie bands release their music themselves.
Whether the culture (m01) or a person (m02) is meant can be recognized from the sentence. If 'Indie' is used like a category ('Ich höre Indie' — I listen to indie), the culture is meant. If it refers to a person, it is used with an article ('Er ist ein Indie' — He is an indie person).
Auf dem Festival spielt fast nur Indie.
Almost only indie is played at the festival.
The word 'Indie' belongs to modern colloquial and youth language. It is used mainly in the context of pop culture, music, film, and fashion.
Die Bar ist ein beliebter Treffpunkt für Indies und Künstler.
The bar is a popular meeting place for indie people and artists.
'Indie' is very often used as a defining element in compound nouns to describe a particular type of cultural product. Typical examples are 'Indie-Musik' (indie music), 'Indie-Film' (indie film), 'Indie-Rock' (indie rock), or 'Indie-Game' (indie game).
Dieses kleine Studio entwickelt seit Jahren erfolgreiche Indie-Games.
This small studio has been developing successful indie games for years.
alternative
'alternativ' and 'der Indie' can both have to do with culture outside the big mainstream. 'alternativ' is a general adjective for something that is deliberately different from the normal direction. 'Indie' is much more specific and is used mainly for music, films, or art that is created independently of large companies. Colloquially, 'Indie' can also mean a person from this culture. The words can be confused because indie culture often seems alternative. But not everything alternative is indie, and 'Indie' fits especially well when talking about independent art and a particular style.
Nach der Arbeit geht Tom zu einem Konzert von einer Indie-Band.
After work, Tom goes to a concert by an indie band.
Zu Hause hört Maria gern alternative Musik, die nicht jeder kennt.
At home, Maria likes listening to alternative music that not everyone knows.