These days it’s hard to find an artist who isn’t using social media to both engage and build their fan base. That said, everyone is doing it differently. Arcade Fire has shown to be masters of social media marketing with their brilliant long-tail campaign for Reflektor executed this summer and fall. Other bands use it as a daily communication tool to let fans know about album releases, appearances, shows, and merch, as well as to share photos, videos, and audio.
We wanted to point out 10 bands who are using social media to both entertain, inform, and most importantly talk to their audiences daily. Extra points for humour, of course. Tell us who you think should be on the list in the comments below.
Here are the Top 10 Indie musicians and bands to follow on social media.
Owen Pallet | Twitter
Owen Pallet has always been considered one of the most outspoken artists. Just take a look at his Twitter account. His witty random thoughts are bound to elicit a few loud “HA”s.
After a show, a girl came up and said "that was a total eargasm!" I said, "don't ever use that word again. But thank you for coming."
— Owen Pallett (@owenpallett) June 25, 2014
If you’re surrounded by cute babies and you start to feel “your biological clock”, find fast relief by splashing milk on your shirt
— Owen Pallett (@owenpallett) November 13, 2013
Why do you guys always have to parade on my rain
— Owen Pallett (@owenpallett) July 6, 2014
July Talk | Twitter, Instagram
Toronto buzz-band has created an entire visual aesthetic for their band – sexy, clean, monochromatic while always rock’n roll. Their regular Instagram posts are fantastic.
This game has more dives than the Scarborough bar strip. #WorldCup
— July Talk (@julytalk) July 4, 2014
Last night was so fun. Thanks Halifax! You always blow us away. pic.twitter.com/zq7e06Kk64
— July Talk (@julytalk) July 2, 2014
Yoni Wolf | Twitter, Instagram
Frontman of the avant-indie-rap group Why? has been pushing audiences’ buttons for years . With his unique blend of low-fi indie and hip-hop that sometimes his music often resembles a Freudian fever-dream. His social media posts are no different. See below.
Welcome new followers!! To redeem your free nude Yoni photographic gif, respond with the promo code “Gimme! Gimme!”. — Yoni Wolf (@YoniWolf) October 19, 2013
Ed Droste | Twitter, Instagram
Grizzly Bear frontman is a notoriously outspoken, hilarious and self-proclaimed social media addict. He posts multiple times a day on both Twitter and Instagram and is also a fantastic photographer. Behind-the-scenes at its best.
I wanna make LOL to you
— Edward Droste (@edwarddroste) July 8, 2014
AC Newman | Twitter
New Pornographers frontman Carl “AC” Newman is truly one of the wittiest and most hilarious indie rockers on Twitter. When you follow Newman expect sudden bursts of late night Twitter hilarity as he takes to social media for a real time conversation with anyone who is willing to engage. Truly entertaining.
The saddest part about the Rob and Doug Ford story is that they are the cold hard reality of Wayne and Garth’s adult lives.
— Carl Newman (@ACNewman) November 6, 2013
Larry Norman’s ‘I Wish We’d All Been Ready’ is the prettiest song ever written about demons dining on your soul during the time of rapture.
— Carl Newman (@ACNewman) November 4, 2013
I think it's strange when I ask a question on Twitter and people 'fav' it. As if to say 'That is a good question!'
— Carl Newman (@ACNewman) July 9, 2014
Neko Case | Twitter, Instagram
Neko Case’s songs are often brutally honest – sometimes painfully so. Her social media presence mixes that with a dose of black humour that makes you love Neko even more.
If I had a dollar for every time I wondered if I had eyelash lice, or if there even IS such a thing I'd have about 36 dollars.
— Neko Case (@NekoCase) July 6, 2014
This a wild headache. It must be from inhaling highlighter pen fumes. It hurts to be a Virgo sometimes. — Neko Case (@NekoCase) November 15, 2013
Angela motherfuckin’ Bassett.
— Neko Case (@NekoCase) November 15, 2013
The Darcys | Twitter, Instagram
Toronto Art-Rock band The Darcys carry over their beautifully crafted aesthetic to social media, regularly posting photos that look like they belong on a gallery wall.
Fucking X-Files riff again. Writing new songs is hard.
— THE DARCYS (@itsthedarcys) July 8, 2014
Justin Veron | Twitter, Instagram
Bon Iver frontman is very active on social media and is clearly not taking himself too seriously with an Instagram user name like “blobtower”.
Ezra Koenig |Twitter, Instagram
Vampire Weekend frontman is known his for clever tongue twisting and highly imagistic lyrics. Koenig takes to social media with the same level of creativity and humour.
I liked this "Rude" song much more when I thought it was abt marrying a very rude girl as opposed to asking a rude man 4 his daughter's hand
— Ezra Koenig (@arzE) July 6, 2014
Lorde | Twitter
every time i get dressed to go out i shut my eyes and try channel this photo of kim *love heart eyes* pic.twitter.com/PViwwzP0eY
— Lorde (@lordemusic) July 7, 2014
how did they know #subwayismycuisineofchoice #porkriblet:wherepricemeetstaste pic.twitter.com/tyG4AeTBW0
— Lorde (@lordemusic) June 14, 2014
