Define “Alternative”

Alternative music has always been more of a philosophy than a distinct genre.

Trends and tastes change over times, but the classic approach to alternative involves artists with a sense of adventure and innovation, doing things with music that aren’t necessarily what the mainstream is up to at the moment. Not always; plenty of acts have enjoyed success at alternative radio while also achieving broad success at mainstream rock and pop outlets. And while a variety of sounds classically make up the alternative milieu, there have been periods where outside influences narrowed the scope and overran…