Outsider

Outsider music is a genre characterized by its unpolished, unconventional, and often bizarre sound, which defies traditional notions of musicianship and songcraft. Emerging in the 1960s and 1970s, it originated from the fringes of the counterculture movement, embracing a DIY ethos and amateurism. Outsider music frequently features lo-fi production, primitive instrumentation, and unconventional vocal styles, often with a naive or eccentric approach to melody and harmony. This genre's cultural significance lies in its celebration of creative freedom and nonconformity, challenging the commercial music industry's standards and opening doors for experimental and avant-garde artists. Outsider music intersects with psychedelic rock, folk, and avant-garde traditions, yet its raw, unbridled energy and amateur spirit set it apart. Its impact can be seen in later genres like punk, indie, and experimental rock, which borrowed from its anti-establishment ethos and willingness to push boundaries.

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Abner Jay
B.J. Snowden
Captain Beefheart
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
Charles Ives
Daniel Johnston
Ed Askew
Gary Wilson
Half Japanese
Harry Partch
Hasil Adkins
Joe Meek & the Blue Men
Luie Luie
Syd Barrett
The Evolution Control Committee
The Frogs
The Residents
The Shaggs
Tiny Tim
Wesley Willis
Tiny Tim
Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band
Daniel Johnston
Syd Barrett
The Residents
Half Japanese
Wesley Willis
Captain Beefheart
Charles Ives
Hasil Adkins
Gary Wilson
The Shaggs
Harry Partch
The Frogs
Abner Jay
Joe Meek & the Blue Men
Ed Askew
Luie Luie
The Evolution Control Committee
B.J. Snowden