Can you be indie and employed?

Never quit a job until you have something on the side that gives you (almost) as much revenue as your job. Good luck!

At the end if the day, who cares how "indie" is defined. Do what feels good for you.

I think what you've described here is called "bootstrapping" and indie means that it's independent and not externally funded - so I'm pretty your what your doing qualifies :)

I would consider your project to be indie. Maybe not you perse but the project is. Of course you support your project with your salary. But what you do with any extra you have from your salary is not really your employer's concern (except when it does like when you are quietly competing with your employer).

Some people invest in stocks, or flip houses. Some people have expensive hobby like building cars. You build a side project. And you don't have an investor for that project. And your employer does not and should not have any interests or stake or shares or equity in your project. So, yes, I consider the project to be indie.

But for you yourself, if you want to consider it that way, maybe until you are supported by you side project, then you are truly indie.

But then again, there's nothing wrong with working a job and making good money with your side project. Especially if you fulfill all responsibilities to your employer and your customers, and there's no conflict of interests with your employer. Some people, while they can quit and make good money with their side project, is also happy at work.

So I guess, what I am trying to say, don't sweat over it. It's the project that matters. If you don't want the headache of investors and employees, keep the project indie.

Of course you can! Most people on here do that. From what I’ve seen there there is a very small minority on here that are actually are full time.

Most of the other Indie Hackers do this a side gig or side hustle.