Johnny Marr recently shared his thoughts on ‘Indie rock’ music. He recently stated that he’s “fine” with being called an “indie musician”, noting how “all what used to be called rock music.”
Johnny Marr, a renowned artist, is widely recognized for his role as a vital member of the Smiths. Although his music with the legendary British band and later as a solo artist may be classified as “indie,” characterized by a lack of commercialism and a strong focus on DIY working ethic, he has attained significant fame.
And while he admits to not being big on labels, Johnny Marr explained during a recent interview on the “Broken Record Podcast” that he doesn’t have anything against being called an “indie” artist (transcribed by Killer Guitar Rigs):
“I like what bands are. I like what indie rock is. For one, I don’t put myself in a box too much, but I like the area of music that I work in. I still feel like that there are surprises in that area of music.”
Marr further talked about some of his influences, such as the ’70s alt rock duo Sparks, only started to come through after he got a solo band together and added:
“It’s an interesting thing, because what you love is such a subjective thing, obviously, and I think you get to a point in your life where you kind of go back to as an influence. You really do draw on those things that were your first loves.
“I love being in the modern world. I’m not particularly a nostalgic person, but the area of music that I’m working in — guitar music, I guess, melodic, I suppose…”
He added:
“I don’t use terms like ‘art rock’, but I’m fine with being called an indie musician. To me, it’s all what used to be called rock music, anyway. I used to call myself a pop musician for the longest time until I started recognizing that pop music is something very, very different now.”
