Indie Music: A Definition & Spotify Playlist

The following post is part of a series called Summer Worship Ideas put together by Natalie Hill and Kevin Kusunoki. You can access other posts in this series via this link. 

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The broad genre of independent and alternative music isn't really tied down to a specific sound or style.  It's more known for its inventive use of instruments and sounds that other genres don't often use and unique, poetic ways of writing lyrics.  These sounds could range from bluegrass to electronic, but what makes them unique is that they're innovative.  This playlist consists of a range of styles, with songs from bands who care about the creativity of the sound of their tunes just as much as their lyrics.

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5 Lessons 90s Christian Music Taught Us

Music is something that can define a decade.  Who could forget 70s disco or the 80s hair bands?!  Even if you weren’t born during that time, most still can identify the music of that day. 

But what about the 90s?! 

Written by Allyson Sarring

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Besides Beanie Babies, hair scrunchies, and the ever so popular, yet totally creepy, Furby, 90s music is one of my favorite things from that decade.   Wait, it’s gets even better…. 90s CHRISTIAN music was one of my favorite things from that decade.  There was nothing quite like popping a cd into a discman player (remember those?!)  and jamming out to your favorite Christian tunes. 

Until this day, I still listen to those artists and songs that made it big back then.  And, yes, sometimes I even watch the music videos #thesearemycoffessions.

Today, Christian music has come a long way.  It might have a different sound, but the music still preaches the same message of the gospel of Jesus Christ just as those songs in the 90s did. 

The 90s taught me a lot of different things.  That Silly Putty wasn’t actually silly.  Not all light-up sneakers were cool.  Furbies will come alive even after you have taken the batteries out.  Very valuable lessons, I tell you. 

What did 90s Christian music teach us you ask?  Well…

One

What will people think when they hear that I’m a Jesus Freak?  What will people do when they find out it’s true?  I don’t care if they label me a Jesus Freak .  There ain’t no disguising the truth.”

 Jesus Freak by DC Talk

The famous band featuring Toby McKeehan (now known as TobyMac), Michael Tait, and Kevin Max Smith pretty much created the #TeamJesus anthem of the decade.

Lesson Learned:  Being called a Jesus Freak was more of a complement than an insult and was something that people should embrace and not be ashamed about.  People might think you’re strange for loving Jesus with all your heart, but that’s okay!  Love them anyways.  Maybe one day, they’ll be a Jesus Freak.  We can only hope.

Two 

“Shine.  Make them wonder what you’ve got.  Make them wish that they were not on the outside looking bored.  Shine.  Let it shine before all men.  Let them see good works and then let them glorify the Lord.”

Shine by Newsboys

Who could forget about the Newsboys?  They are one of those timeless bands that continue to produce fun and powerful music to this day. 

Lesson Learned:  Don’t hide your light for Jesus.  As Christians, we have something awesome, and it is meant to be shared with people!  Not hidden away, just for us.  Loving out loud will inspire those and make them wonder what you have that brings you so much joy and peace.   It will create a turnaround in people and even “make a bouncer take ballet.”    

Three 

"Come and go with me to my Father’s house.  It’s a big, big house with lots and lots of room.  A big, big table with lots and lots of food.  A big, big yard where we can play football.  A big, big house.  It’s my Father’s house.”

Big House by Audio Adrenaline

Audio Adrenaline was probably one of my favorite 90s bands.  #funfact 

Lesson Learned:  No matter where you came from, God’s house is for everyone.  He has room for all people!  We can dream about what heaven will really be like, but we won’t completely know until we get there.  All we really need to know is that our needs are going to be met.  Hey, if there was a table with lots of food and a yard where I could play football, I wouldn’t complain either!

Four

“I’m diving in, I’m going deep, in over my head I want to be.  Caught in the rush, tossed in the flow, in over my head I want to go.  The river’s deep, the river’s wide, the river’s water is alive.  So sink or swim, I’m diving in.”

Dive by Steven Curtis Chapman

This song is so catchy! Every time it came on my local Christian radio station, I could not keep still! 

Lesson Learned:  To experience all of Jesus, you are going to have to swim further out than ankle deep.  He wants us to go all in!  He just doesn’t want a small part of us, He wants all of our hearts, souls, and minds.  It might be scarier out in that deep water, but it’s worth it.

Five

"Show me, I’m looking for a reason roaming through the night to find my place in this world.  Not a lot to lean on.  I need your light to help me find my place in this world.”

 Place in the World by Michael W. Smith

Michael W. Smith is another one of those artists that have remained timeless throughout the years.  I would love to see him in concert! #hinthint   

Lesson Learned:  We can search high and low in this world to find something to complete us, to find something that can help define us, but the only way that we are going to find our place in this world, our identity, is through Christ, and Christ alone! 

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Even though most of my 90s memories are packed up in a box somewhere, these songs will always stay near to my heart and my cd player.