With a philosophy centered on artistic and creative freedom, indie music changed the face of music forever with its revolution-igniting and thought-evoking musical approach.
While the genre’s dynamic nature makes it challenging to fit it into a specific category, it also emphasizes the logic behind breaking away from stereotypes by using elements from ska, rock, punk, folk, electronic, and more.
It’s truly inspiring to see how several indie musicians, with their courage and creativity, express their unique styles through fantastic body art; some have even shared why.
So, let’s embark on a journey where indie meets body art and delves into what inspired these musicians’ creative journey beyond just melodies.
What Is Indie Music?
Encompassing various music styles, indie or independent music has a signature guitar-centric creativity characterized by freedom of artistic expression, low budgets, and a DIY approach.
Indie music emerged during the ’70s from British independent record labels. New wave and post-punk influenced it, and it gained popularity after NME’s compilation album C86 in 1986.
With Britpop and Grunge entering the scene in the 1990s, bands like Oasis, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Pulp, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Blur took indie music towards wide commercial success.
The 21st century has seen significant developments within indie music’s subgenres, including indie folk, indie rock, and indie pop, and even influencing rave culture. Indie is about embracing the rebellious spirit and authentic flair to resist mainstream culture.
The Role of Self-Expression
The testament to self-expression and creativity that thrives beyond conventional themes quite literally lies within its name—“independent” music. The artists also leave no stone unturned with their fueled enthusiasm and interpretive expression that doesn’t fall under a specific niche, making it a genre that many can connect with on a personal level.
With the unconventional sound and personas thriving in this genre, it’s no wonder its influence shaped self-expression through body art and modification. Fans don’t just genuinely appreciate the artistic integrity but also emote with the unique perspective.
Where Does Body Art Come In?
While several cultures across the globe have traditional or ritualistic purposes for body art or modification, western society often frowns upon it. Piercings, tattoos, scarification, etc., are part of many Indigenous tribes, especially across Africa, India, and Thailand.
If you adorn tattoos and piercings, chances are you’ve heard a jibe or two or at least dealt with unwanted stares from some people. Western cultures often distance themselves from people with body art; such prejudices lead to further disassociation between indie culture and conventional society. Whether it was understanding nipple piercings, testing out a simple nose ring, or tattooing your entire body, indie enthusiasts explored it all.
To pursue their rebellious beliefs against restrictive norms, indie artists blended the art of music with that of self-expression through tattoos and piercings. It didn’t take much time for fans to follow in the footsteps of their musical prodigies, which turned into a new wave of fresh perspectives on body art.
4 Indie Musicians Expressing Unique Styles Through Body Art
Dave Grohl
With his fanatical obsession with Led Zeppelin, Grohl is an example of a musician who embraces body art and a fan inspired by Bonham’s hard-hit drumming. When it was time to get inked the first time, Grohl paid tribute to his guru by tattooing Bonham’s three interlocking rings symbol—and he did it himself at only 16. He also sports two other tattoos and explained how the third and final Zeppelin-inspired tattoo marked the time when he received his first check for Nirvana.
Travis Barker
Blink-182’s lead drummer, Travis Barker, is a striking example of artistic expression for style and rebellion. It was drumming or nothing for him, and when his father discouraged him from getting inked, he did exactly that to ensure drumming became his only possible career option. Over the years, he used body art for more than just his music career; he started expressing himself through memories and said it was a medium that allowed him to document and relive his life.
Tommy Lee
Synonymized with tattoos and also known as one of the hottest inked celebrities, Tommy Lee fiercely adorns a Japanese phrase on his left cheek with stars and a heart-shaped music note on the right; he explained this one was to honor his love for music. Similarly, he also has two lion heads on his chest, symbolizing victory, strength, and masculinity. He’s also no stranger to piercings, sporting some seriously jaw-dropping placements on his body.
Lenny Kravitz
With his meaningful collection of nine tattoos, Lenny Kravitz is a personality that seamlessly embodies music and art, especially in his TK21 music video’s mix of visual storytelling through tattoos and sonic brilliance. What sets it apart even further is that Kravitz used his own tattoos to inspire the video and take the viewer on a journey of his memories and experiences. It’s all about facing fears and embracing feelings through the expressive nature of the tattoos.
Parting Thoughts
Music and human existence go way back and will continue to evolve. If you emote with rock, folk, or punk music, the eclectic sounds feel like a way of life. Apart from dressing and listening to music, fans and artists embrace self-expression through body art, telling their own stories with each tattoo and piercing while constantly defying what society deems “normal.”
