Additionally, the line between alternative and mainstream is becoming very blurred due to the power of the internet in promoting 'underground' artists.Īlternative originated as a genre of music, described by Merriam-Webster as 'music that is produced by performers who are outside the musical mainstream, that is typically regarded as more eclectic, original, or challenging than most popular music (such as conventional rock, pop, or country), and that is often distributed by independent record labels.'ĭue to this, in music terms, alternative and indie (independent) have similar connotations, indie meaning not associated with a mainstream record label. It is important to note that most aesthetics could fall under the alternative label nowadays. Sometimes, if a subculture is particularly popular (rock is an example of this), alternative rock would be its own sub-genre outside of 'mainstream' rock. Colloquially it refers to dark western styles such as Punk, Grunge, Emo, etc though the true meaning includes a wide range of darker and lighter styles from all cultures. Alternative, also known as Alt is an umbrella term that can describe anything that sits outside of the mainstream.
