The music of Indiana was strongly influenced by a large number of German and Irish immigrants who arrived in the 1830s.

Indiana was one of the first places where jazz music became popular outside of New Orleans and Chicago. In the late 1910s and through the 1920s the state had numerous bands of young musicians playing the new style for dancing.

Richmond, Indiana was home to the Gennett Records, known for recording a wealth of jazz, blues, and country music in the 1920s.

Indiana-born musicians and composers include Harry Von Tilzer, Albert Von Tilzer, Cole Porter, J. Russell Robinson, Eddie Condon, Hoagy Carmichael, Wes Montgomery, J.J. Johnson, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, John Mellencamp, Axl Rose, David Lee Roth and David Baker.

Punk rock

In Indianapolis, a vibrant 1970s punk rock and New Wave scene existed, including Latex Novelties, Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Dow Jones & the Industrials. Probably the most influential Indiana punk band, however, was The Gizmos, from Bloomington, Indiana. Later, a hardcore punk and alternative rock band from Indianapolis called the Zero Boys made some local waves. The Zero Boys started trying to make a local hardcore scene after seeing the Dead Kennedys in Chicago. Paul Mahern of the Zero Boys led the effort, and founded Affirmation Records, releasing several compilations and recordings from Articles of Faith (from Chicago) and local band Killing Children before going out of business.

References

• Schiedt, Duncan P. The Jazz State of Indiana. 1977, Indiana Historical Society. ISBN 0960352805
• Blush, Steven. American Hardcore: A Tribal History. 2001, Feral House. ISBN 0-922915-717-7