I’ve just been alerted to a CNN Special Report all about the Indie Scene. This special report includes a story defining indie and the history of indie culture (“If it’s cool, creative and different, it’s indie” — oh really?), as well as a quiz: “How indie are you?” I scored an 8 out of 10, which is as embarassing as it is hilarious. All joking aside, they definitely did their research… which probably just entailed spending one drunken night in Williamsburg. Still, it’s amusing reading, at the very least.
13 comments
Chad says:
Oct 2, 2006
You’re not truly indie until CNN SAYS that you’re indie. That’s awesome. I’m taking that test immediately…
Kevin says:
Oct 3, 2006
I’m 5 out of 10. When I answered that KEXP.org is my favorite “new haven” for indie music, it replied: “you’re currently converting your CD collection into mp3s.” Whuh? How does that exactly relate to listening to KEXP? Well, OK. If it makes sense to CNN then it makes sense to me.
Taylor says:
Oct 3, 2006
I know! That’s what I’m sayin’. I was all like “pssh, my CD collection is already coverted!” Or, you know, at least my essential albums are…
Simon says:
Oct 3, 2006
2/10! Do I win some sort of a prize?
Py Korry says:
Oct 3, 2006
6 out of 10, and here was their comment: “Moderately down: You can certainly hang, but can you hang with the best of them? Not quite yet. Keep doing what you’re doing, though, and soon you’ll be quoting obscure movie and song lyrics in everyday life like it’s going out of style.”
Screw ’em! I didn’t like their questions.
ben says:
Oct 4, 2006
what? #8 counts KEXP as right but college radio as wrong! KEXP COUNTS AS COLLEGE RADIO! They even play the same records! I send them to both! Gah! CNN! 7/10? Ouch.
Taylor says:
Oct 4, 2006
Yes, but KEXP isn’t a college. That’s the difference! Or something. I agree with you, though.
The questions were pretty silly. I expected more trivia along the lines of the Little Miss Sunshine directors question.
Mita! says:
Oct 4, 2006
You got 3 out of 10 correct on your first attempt.
Poser alert! Better fill up your Netflix queue with recommended selections from their independent section and beg your local record shop clerk to clue you in on need-to-know bands and albums.
LOL!
Michael says:
Oct 4, 2006
I couldn’t finish the quiz because I refuse to answer question #9. Dear god do I hate Morrissey.
Taylor says:
Oct 4, 2006
You hate Morrissey? Why?!
Michael says:
Oct 4, 2006
Too earnest, too whiny, too full of himself. I don’t even like “How Soon Is Now?” I have had seventh level music geeks (who I have tremendous respect for) trying to recruit me into the Smiths/Morrissey cult since my undergrdauate days. There’s just something fundamental about him, the voice, the mopey lyrics, the ridiculous hair, that rubs me the wrong way.
I actually think the Morrissey question was a great thing to include. Morrissey is at the pulsing heart of indie culture, which is pretty much why I will never identify myself as “indie,” my profound love of Yacht Rock notwithstanding.
Two asides:
1. There’s a goofy folk singer named Wally Pleasant who had a lot of cassettes zooming around in the mid 90’s. He had a song called “Stupid Day Job” during which he would stop in the middle and say “Now, to show you how earnest and passionate I am, I’m going to sing this next part as Morrissey!” and sing the chorus in a horrible british accent. This never failed to crack me up.
2. I also used to hate Steely Dan, and now I love them and listen to them on a more or less daily basis. So it’s possible that I will come around to Morrissey, but I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Taylor says:
Oct 4, 2006
I understand. It took me awhile to warm up to Morrissey. I think the turning point was when I heard “This Night Has Opened My Eyes.” I love that song.
Billy F. says:
Oct 5, 2006
“You got 5 out of 10 correct on your first attempt.
Moderately down: You can certainly hang, but can you hang with the best of them? Not quite yet. Keep doing what you’re doing, though, and soon you’ll be quoting obscure movie and song lyrics in everyday life like it’s going out of style.”
I’ll be honest, if I got anywhere near ten I was going to say I was so embarressed with myself. 5 might be a score I can live with.