---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Whether I'm on a major or an indie, I…"
description: "\"Whether I'm on a major or an indie, I don't think this is important, but at the same time I do.\" — Devendra Banhart"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/516/devendra-banhart-3176_important_whether-i-m-on-a-major-or-an-indie-i-don_1437428.png"
---

#  Whether I'm on a major or an indie, I don't think this is…

![“Whether I'm on a major or an indie, I don't think this is important, but at the same time I do.” quote by Devendra Banhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/516/devendra-banhart-3176_important_whether-i-m-on-a-major-or-an-indie-i-don_1437428.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/516/devendra-banhart-3176_important_whether-i-m-on-a-major-or-an-indie-i-don_1437428.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/516/devendra-banhart-3176_important_whether-i-m-on-a-major-or-an-indie-i-don_1437428.png)

> “Whether I'm on a major or an indie, I don't think this is important, but at the same time I do.”

[Devendra Banhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devendra-banhart/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The speaker feels ambivalent about the importance of the music project, recognizing both its relevance and its insignificance.

**In simple terms:** I’m unsure how important this is, but it matters.

Key Takeaway

Accept uncertainty and focus on what truly matters.

Themes

art indie major label identity ambivalence

Mood

reflective conflicted

Type

analytical personal

When to use this quote

- choosing projects
- career decisions
- artistic direction
- personal priorities

Key Concepts

creative tension valuation self‑reflection

Questions to Reflect On

- What truly influences your creative choices?
- How do you balance importance and indifference?

A Different Perspective

The quote may overstate the conflict, ignoring practical constraints.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important/) [Indie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indie/) [Indie Don](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indie-don-1410798/) [Major Indie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/major-indie-4143772/) [Same](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/same/) [Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think/) [Think Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-important/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/)

## Related quotes

> [Most bands, when they sign with a major, are from an indie. They usually start off with a big dilemma. They think they're selling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-dean-bradfield/most-bands-when-they-sign-with-a-major-are-from-an-indie-they-usually/)

[James Dean Bradfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-dean-bradfield/)

> [I have friends with deals, both major and indie, and the ones on majors never seem as happy, and quite frankly aren't making music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raheem-jarbo/i-have-friends-with-deals-both-major-and-indie-and-the-ones-on-majors/)

[Raheem Jarbo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raheem-jarbo/)

> [It's been awesome going indie. I don't need to be on a major label. I love not having to walk into a specific radio…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mat-kearney/it-s-been-awesome-going-indie-i-don-t-need-to-be-on-a-major-label-i/)

[Mat Kearney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-kearney/)

> [I never identified with 'indie,' I don't like that word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rostam-batmanglij/i-never-identified-with-indie-i-don-t-like-that-word/)

[Rostam Batmanglij](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rostam-batmanglij/)

> [You are at the mercies of the dailies. With an indie you don't have that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dianne-wiest/you-are-at-the-mercies-of-the-dailies-with-an-indie-you-don-t-have/)

[Dianne Wiest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dianne-wiest/)

> [I think the most important thing that I've learned is that you live and you learn. Try not to make the same mistakes twice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrienne-bailon/i-think-the-most-important-thing-that-i-ve-learned-is-that-you-live/)

[Adrienne Bailon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrienne-bailon/)

> [I think the most important thing to do is to recognize the fundamentally different circumstances of pursuing growth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-d-anthony/i-think-the-most-important-thing-to-do-is-to-recognize-the/)

[Scott D. Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-d-anthony/)

> [I do think there is an important artistic component in what we do. As a technology company I've tried to really stress that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-page/i-do-think-there-is-an-important-artistic-component-in-what-we-do-as/)

[Larry Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-page/)

> [“I think it's important to note that that takes work: family doesn't just happen; welcome isn't a neutral state. We have to tend to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-eric-thomas/i-think-it-s-important-to-note-that-that-takes-work-family-doesn-t/)

[R. Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-eric-thomas/)

> [I think that it's important to question things and not just accept everything right away.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaz-sinclair/i-think-that-it-s-important-to-question-things-and-not-just-accept/)

[Jaz Sinclair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaz-sinclair/)

> [I learnt to read when I was five, and I think that is the most important thing that happened to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-vargas-llosa/i-learnt-to-read-when-i-was-five-and-i-think-that-is-the-most/)

[Mario Vargas Llosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-vargas-llosa/)

> [Im really into the indie-music scene and listen to a lot of De La Soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-celski/im-really-into-the-indie-music-scene-and-listen-to-a-lot-of-de-la-soul/)

[J. R. Celski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-celski/)

> [There can be a wrong time - it's happened to countless bands where they release their first record on a major label and never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-fallon/there-can-be-a-wrong-time-it-s-happened-to-countless-bands-where-they/)

[Brian Fallon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-fallon/)

> [In the beginning I was just a makeup artist and I never really pictured myself doing anything else. But now that I have so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffree-star/in-the-beginning-i-was-just-a-makeup-artist-and-i-never-really/)

[Jeffree Star](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffree-star/)

> [I'm always into rock n' roll and indie rock.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mischa-barton/i-m-always-into-rock-n-roll-and-indie-rock/)

[Mischa Barton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mischa-barton/)

## More by Devendra Banhart

> [I was born with a beard. We're quite hairy down in Latin America. We don't have to use sponges when we wash dishes. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devendra-banhart/i-was-born-with-a-beard-we-re-quite-hairy-down-in-latin-america-we/)

[Devendra Banhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devendra-banhart/)

> [People love to take sides, but it's not effective. It's not really an effective way of communicating something, because you're either already part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devendra-banhart/people-love-to-take-sides-but-it-s-not-effective-it-s-not-really-an/)

[Devendra Banhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devendra-banhart/)

> [I think five percent of all songs can be love songs, and another five percent can be miscellaneous or political, but the rest should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devendra-banhart/i-think-five-percent-of-all-songs-can-be-love-songs-and-another-five/)

[Devendra Banhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devendra-banhart/)

> [Growing up in Caracas, Venezuela, the ubiquitous music is salsa, cumbia, merengue, a little bit of samba.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devendra-banhart/growing-up-in-caracas-venezuela-the-ubiquitous-music-is-salsa-cumbia/)

[Devendra Banhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devendra-banhart/)

> [I've always said that musicians are the comics of my generations and comedians are the politicians of my generation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devendra-banhart/i-ve-always-said-that-musicians-are-the-comics-of-my-generations-and/)

[Devendra Banhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devendra-banhart/)

> [I've always wanted to write a song that goes, "I love you" and a book that goes, "Something happened." Something very direct.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devendra-banhart/i-ve-always-wanted-to-write-a-song-that-goes-i-love-you-and-a-book/)

[Devendra Banhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devendra-banhart/)

> [We live in an age where many things are working hard to conk us out and anesthetize us. Anything we can do to shake…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devendra-banhart/we-live-in-an-age-where-many-things-are-working-hard-to-conk-us-out/)

[Devendra Banhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devendra-banhart/)

> [R. Kelly is my favorite singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devendra-banhart/r-kelly-is-my-favorite-singer/)

[Devendra Banhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devendra-banhart/)

> [When the Internet came along, the first thing I did was look up Wu-Tang so I could print out their symbol and glue it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devendra-banhart/when-the-internet-came-along-the-first-thing-i-did-was-look-up-wu/)

[Devendra Banhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devendra-banhart/)

> [And because my teeth don't bite, I can take them out dancing I can take my little teeth out and show them a real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devendra-banhart/and-because-my-teeth-don-t-bite-i-can-take-them-out-dancing-i-can/)

[Devendra Banhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devendra-banhart/)

> [I've always noticed talking about lyrics is like talking about a duality. It's like a Gemini time every time I talk about one line.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devendra-banhart/i-ve-always-noticed-talking-about-lyrics-is-like-talking-about-a/)

[Devendra Banhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devendra-banhart/)

> [My number-one hero in terms of interdisciplinary art is Laurie Anderson, but I've always admired anyone who can think way beyond any one medium.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devendra-banhart/my-number-one-hero-in-terms-of-interdisciplinary-art-is-laurie/)

[Devendra Banhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devendra-banhart/)

> [I've always thought it'd be nice to be seaweed, kind of just floating about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devendra-banhart/i-ve-always-thought-it-d-be-nice-to-be-seaweed-kind-of-just-floating/)

[Devendra Banhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devendra-banhart/)

> [I love Meredith Monk, and with Instagram, I get a chance to see if she has a cat, and what's she reading.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devendra-banhart/i-love-meredith-monk-and-with-instagram-i-get-a-chance-to-see-if-she/)

[Devendra Banhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devendra-banhart/)

> [I do have very small handwriting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devendra-banhart/i-do-have-very-small-handwriting/)

[Devendra Banhart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devendra-banhart/)

[Explore all 137 Devendra Banhart quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devendra-banhart/)

## More Important quotes

> [There is something more important than any ultimate weapon. That is the ultimate position-the position of total control over Earth that lies somewhere out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyndon-b-johnson/there-is-something-more-important-than-any-ultimate-weapon-that-is/)

[Lyndon B. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyndon-b-johnson/)

> [I wanted to write about voodoo tradition that I feel has been very important to survival of black people here: people of the African…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesmyn-ward/i-wanted-to-write-about-voodoo-tradition-that-i-feel-has-been-very/)

[Jesmyn Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesmyn-ward/)

> [Fiscal prudence is very important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/smriti-irani/fiscal-prudence-is-very-important/)

[Smriti Irani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/smriti-irani/)

> [Regardless of the criticisms I receive from the left, the right and the middle, I think it's important to maintain a prolific writing jab,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ishmael-reed/regardless-of-the-criticisms-i-receive-from-the-left-the-right-and/)

[Ishmael Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ishmael-reed/)

> [In some circles where very heavy people think they have very heavy brains, words like "charming" and "clever" and "pretty" are all put-downs; all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-warhol/in-some-circles-where-very-heavy-people-think-they-have-very-heavy/)

[Andy Warhol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-warhol/)

> [I can skate beautifully. While performing on ice I always try to please the audience and to win as well. Being artistic is very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evgeni-plushenko/i-can-skate-beautifully-while-performing-on-ice-i-always-try-to/)

[Evgeni Plushenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evgeni-plushenko/)

> [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/)

[John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/)

> [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/)

[Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/)

> [If I had learned how to get along in the quotidian world while keeping up the search for the hidden realm, I might have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-woodring/if-i-had-learned-how-to-get-along-in-the-quotidian-world-while/)

[Jim Woodring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-woodring/)

> [Modeling is more important than the talking we do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-williams/modeling-is-more-important-than-the-talking-we-do/)

[Wayne Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-williams/)

> [There are more important things to focus on in life than how you look.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arden-cho/there-are-more-important-things-to-focus-on-in-life-than-how-you-look/)

[Arden Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arden-cho/)

> [Doing the right things is more important than doing things right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ko-wen-je/doing-the-right-things-is-more-important-than-doing-things-right/)

[Ko Wen-je](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ko-wen-je/)

> [To me, Caribbean food is about fresh, seasonal produce - using what's in season to create vibrant and great tasting food. The spicing is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ainsley-harriott/to-me-caribbean-food-is-about-fresh-seasonal-produce-using-what-s-in/)

[Ainsley Harriott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ainsley-harriott/)

> [Boys and boys' body image and clothes have become just as important an issue for boys as for girls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalind-wiseman/boys-and-boys-body-image-and-clothes-have-become-just-as-important-an/)

[Rosalind Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalind-wiseman/)

> [I think when you’re dying you start looking for important things in the corners. You can’t let anything that seems even semi-important pass, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-crutcher/i-think-when-you-re-dying-you-start-looking-for-important-things-in/)

[Chris Crutcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-crutcher/)

[Browse all 30,993 Important quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Whether I'm on a major or an indie, I don't think this is important, but at the same time I do.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Devendra Banhart"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devendra-banhart/whether-i-m-on-a-major-or-an-indie-i-don-t-think-this-is-important/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Important"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devendra-banhart/whether-i-m-on-a-major-or-an-indie-i-don-t-think-this-is-important/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/516/devendra-banhart-3176_important_whether-i-m-on-a-major-or-an-indie-i-don_1437428.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/516/devendra-banhart-3176_important_whether-i-m-on-a-major-or-an-indie-i-don_1437428.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/516/devendra-banhart-3176_important_whether-i-m-on-a-major-or-an-indie-i-don_1437428.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Whether I'm on a major or an indie, I don't think this is important, but at the same time I do.” — Devendra Banhart",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Devendra Banhart",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devendra-banhart/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Whether I'm on a major or...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devendra-banhart/whether-i-m-on-a-major-or-an-indie-i-don-t-think-this-is-important/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devendra-banhart/whether-i-m-on-a-major-or-an-indie-i-don-t-think-this-is-important/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
