Mainstream
Mainstream is, generally, the common current of thought of the majority. It is a term most often applied in the arts (i.e., music, literature, and performance). This includes:
- something that is usual
- something that is familiar to the masses
- something that is available to the general public
As such, the mainstream includes all popular culture, typically disseminated by mass media. The opposite of the mainstream are subcultures, countercultures, cult followings and underground cultures.
Mainstream music denotes music that is familiar and unthreatening to the masses as for example popular music, pop music, middle of the road music or soft rock but it should be noted that older generations often dislike the mainstream taste of the youth and may not agree to what is or is not mainstream.
Independent
In popular music, independent music often abbreviated as indie. It is a term used to describe independence from major commercial record labels and an autonomous, do-it-yourself approach to recording and publishing.
There are a number of cultural and philosophical traits which could be more useful in pinpointing what indie music is about than specific musical styles or commercial ownership. Indie artists are concerned more with self-expression than commercial considerations (though, again, this is a stance that is affected by many artists, including hugely commercially successful ones). A do-it-yourself sensibility, which originated with punk in the 1970s is often associated with indie, with people in the scene being involved in bands, labels, nights and zines.
Internet technology allows artists to introduce their music to a potentially enormous audience at low cost without necessarily affiliating with a major recording label. Most artists maintain their own Web sites as well as having a presence on sites such as Myspace.com. Technological advances such as message board, music blogs, and social networks are also being used by independent music companies to make big advances in the business.
Underground
Underground music is music which has developed a cult following, independent of commercial success. This music generally speaking has little or no mainstream appeal, visibility or commercial presence. The term is also currently used to describe contemporary music of non-mainstream musical exponents with actual specific genre or style being unimportant in determining the "underground" status. This diversity may serve to "protect" underground music from being packaged and marketed based on a restricted, easily identifiable sound.
The term underground music has been applied to several artistic movements, such as the psychedelic movement of the mid 1960s,other early underground include the Velvet Underground, the MC5, and Iggy Pop and the Stooges, all three of whom have made significant contributions to music.
