Veronica Anaya
- Nov 1, 2023
- 5 min read

The Revival of the Indie Sleaze Movement

Written by Veronica Anaya

Creative Director: Jazzi Almestica

Photography: Sylvie Goodblatt

Video Director: Jake Pranian

Talent: @skye.riv @its._cecil @whoiserixk @thereal_araara @xxiimenna @camiloj0se on Instagram

Styling: Sophia Querrazzi

Production Management: Jake Pranian

Is there currently a revival of the indie sleaze movement happening? In an era where trends have become micro-trends, there has been a revival of older fashion from all periods, but are we trying to revive a movement that occurred a little over a decade ago? The answer is that it's complicated. New York City has been seeing a revival of the indie sleaze movement through fashion, music, and the party scene, but not the actuality of what “indie sleaze” is. The “Indie Sleaze” term was also coined in 2021 on TikTok when the idea of a revival sparked, but this “revival” is a consolidated version of this era rather than what it was then.

The actual origins of the “indie sleaze” movement are not clear, as at times it can even be confused with the indie rock music scene that was occurring at the time but can be put between 2006 and 2012. This movement in fashion and music came during a time of economic downturn, and when New York City was trying to process the tragedy that occurred with 9/11, even bands at the time were responding to it, from The Strokes to Interpol with their song, NYC. It was a time when people were trying to heal and rebel against everything that was occurring above them.

I bring up many eras of fashion and music because this was an era that was so intertwined in both, and the party scene is what brought it together. Many musicians that were popular during the indie sleaze era even credit bands like The Strokes as inspiration, which is why it can get confusing. To add on, the indie sleaze movement was a mix of different eras of music and fashion from the indie rock era, twee, electro-pop, hyper-pop, hipster, Tumblr, and even pulling inspiration from the 90s grunge era. Back then, the fashion icons were Alexa Chung, Sky Ferreira, Kate Moss, and Effy from Skins, and the uniform of this time was this maximalist and chaotic approach to affordable party scene clothing, breaking away from societal norms and breaking all fashion rules without a care in the world.

The aesthetic of this time was a mix of different scenes from the party scene who would wear metallic bodysuits, leggings, headbands, bikini tops, and disco pants. Then there was the grunge side that would incorporate messy fashion like smudge eyes to flannels, graphic tees, fishnets, ripped jeans, and Dr. Martens. Both sides incorporated a lot of accessories, including fedoras, chunky jewelry, huge belts, fake glasses, metallic baseball caps, and furry hats. There were no boundaries as to what anyone could wear and how. Nowadays, indie-sleaze fashion is a little different. Some elements are still the same, like the grungy influences of dark clothes, Dr. Martens, and messy makeup, but some elements are new, like business attire such as suit jackets, and more influences from the Y2K aesthetic, such as the bling and low-rises and graphic baby tees. There are elements, though, that will not be coming back into this revival, such as fedoras, disco pants, or even metallic bodysuits.

This was an era when music and fashion were intertwined, especially because a big element of this era was the party scene. People wanted to let go and party like there was no more life to live. This was a time when social media had yet to exist. Yet, there was someone, a legend, who is quoted as having been “Instagram before Instagram”, Cobrasnake. Mark Hunter, the iconic flash photographer, was at every party; he was even at Taylor Swift's 2009 party. Hunter had a blog and continues to have, called “The Cobrasnake," where the morning after every party, people would run to their computers to see if they made it into any of his photos. Hunter is still active in the scene but has expanded all over the world, partaking in underground and DIY scenes in all cities. Hunter’s style of photography is not about capturing the perfect symmetrical shot but capturing the wild essence of every event. All of his photos are about movement and the little care that people have about how they look. Hunter was perfect for the indie sleaze era, and for the revival, we continue to see the impact he has imprinted on flash party photography.

I had the privilege of seeing him in action at a show I recently attended and as much as I was fangirling I stayed back and admired him from afar. Hunter observed every inch of the party, looking for signs of life, signs of fun, and high energy. Hunter has this technique of capturing photos in a flash with no warning. That is why his craft is so full of life and movement. There is no posing, no making sure you look good; it's all in the moment.

Like everything else in this scene, the music was not something that could be pinpointed; it's not a genre. It’s not party music, as most people would assume, but a collection of eclectic music that is mixed with grunge, alternative, pop, hyper-pop, and so much more. Some songs were more known than the artists, and then on the other side, some artists had a cult following, such as LCD Soundsystem, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Arctic Monkeys, and I can't forget Crystal Castle!

Many of these artists have resurfaced and have regained momentum through the uprising on TikTok. Many artists from this time are also gaining a new fanbase and being heard more now, like Of Montreal, MGMT, M.I.A., and others. Yet, what's new about this revival in the indie sleaze era is that there are musicians who are consolidating the sound and can be classically categorized as indie sleaze while not losing that factor of genre blending.

Some indie sleaze artists that are currently on the rise are The Dare (I recommend Sex, Girls, and Goodtime), The HELLP (I recommend meant2help and Height), Frost Children (I recommend FLATLINE and FOX BOP), and SHADESOFBLUE (I recommend IT and SO LONG).

The “indie sleaze era” that is being claimed to be reviving is not a set era that you can define but this revival is a consolidated version of what this era in the 2000s was. Like most trends and eras that come back in fashion and music, it’s never authentically a revival, but taking pieces and modernizing them to fit our generation's best. Does not mean it's bad, it's just what best connects us.

The pandemic and the loss of time in our lives are what I feel sparked this revival of this era because the big drive in this era was the feeling of wanting to let loose, break societal rules, avoid government entrapment, and forget about "what's next?" especially as many of us lost time where most of us would develop. Being in your 20s is so hard and confusing, which is not new; everyone goes through this. This is a time when everyone pressures you to know who you are, but truly, who cares? We have our whole lives left, which is why this revival in the indie sleaze era and mentality speaks to a newer generation.