Summary

As defined by Merriam-Webster, “indie” is defined as “an unaffiliated record production company.” Currently, the big three major labels are Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Warner Music Group. This implies that any record company, which falls outside these labels, is therefore “indie.” And although the Big Three labels continue to dominate the market, indie labels, such as XL Recordings, are beginning to get their name into the music scene. In fact, indie music is on the rise. Listeners are beginning to pay attention to the underground and, as the Recording Industry Association of America, or the RIAA reports, is the largest music genre among digital buyers and paid music subscribers. On top of this statistic, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows a 71% increase with independent artists from 2003 to 2012. Based upon these statistics, it is clear that not only is indie music surviving but actually thriving during a time of high Internet piracy.