Here's my guide to (mostly) indie record music labels. Some of these labels are no longer in business, but many of the bands are still around, and the albums they released with these labels are sometime still available. Note: as of 2007 this list isn't up-to-date, so don't be surprised if you don't see Seattle's Light In The Attic and other great indies included here.

4AD

The importance of this hugely influential label can't be overstated. In the tradition of labels such as BlueNote and Motown, 4AD, from its earliest days, established itself with its idiosyncratic look and selective choice of artists. The roster reads like a who's-who of the most riveting and original bands of the last decade. From the Pixies, Dead Can Dance, and the Cocteau Twins, to the Breeders and Throwing Muses, the world wouldn't have been as nice a place to live without 4AD.

Alternative Tentacles

The label that launched the Dead Kennedy's is still going strong since its inception in 1979. At the helm is the always controversial, politically charged Jello Biafa, who should be the acknowledged spokesperson for the last couple of generations and whose musical accomplishments include a recent project with Krist Novoselic, Gina Mainwal and Kim Thayil called the No W.T.O. Combo. Artists on the label include The Pattern, Black Kali Ma with Gary Floyd, DOA, Half Japanese, The Fartz, and road warriors Victim's Family.

Artemis Records

Artemis Records was launched in 1999 by former Mercury Records Group CEO Danny Goldberg. In its short career, Artemis has signed such classic artists as Rickie Lee Jones and Steve Earle, and has garnered triple platinum success with the Baha Men's Who let The Dogs Out, and gold for heavy metal babes Kittie. This is an indie label with major label clout and know-how.

Astralwerks

Astralwerks has done more for electronic music than any other label, period. With a roster that includes Ben Watt of Everything But The Girl, Basement Jaxx, Beta Band, The Chemical Brothers, Fatboy Slim, The Future Sound of London--and these are just the tip of the iceberg--you simply have to give props to this clan. While you're at it, check out Astralwerks' subsidiary label's melankolic and Source for all of your trip-hop and French electonica needs.

Badman Recording Company

Badman is a San Francisco based record label, recording studio and artist consultation shop that has been quietly releasing great music by the likes of Mark Kozelek, Hayden, Rebecca Gates of Spinanes fame and the Posies.

barsuk records

Started sometime in the mid '90's in the Pacific Northwest, barsuk records has spawned great releases from death cab for cutie, abigail grush, jessamine, little champions, pea soup, the revolutionary hydra, sunset valley, this busy monster, and john vanderslice.

Beggars Banquet

Beggar's Banquet got its start in 1974, as a new and used record shop in London. By 1977, as the punk and new wave explosion swept over England, the shop began to promote and manage bands such as The Lurkers. After unsuccessfully trying to secure a record deal for the group, Beggar's Banquet decided to release the group's music on their own, and the label was born. Beggar's has released albums by Gary Numan, The Fall, Gun Club, Bauhaus, The Go-Betweens, The Ramones, The Charlatans, and many others.

Bloodshot Records

The self-proclaimed purveyors of all things skronk-rock, Chicago's Bloodshot Records is the one-stop solution for satisfying all of your shock-a-billy and left-of-center Americana needs. From the solo releases of Sally Timms and Jon Langford (both of Mekons infamy) to Alejandro Escovedo and Neko Case, this is the proverbial end-of-the-line for taking the piss outta roots-rock!

Blue Note Records

Throughout their illustrious history, BlueNote Records have released classic albums by Cannonball Adderley, Mose Allison, Sarah Vaughan, Chet Baker, Art Blakey, Count Basie, and newcomers such as Don Byron, Charlie Hunter and even Medeski, Martin and Wood. BlueNote is American history, and you will be tested on this!

Burnside Records

Portland's Burnside Records is one of the preeminent indie labels for rockabilly, R&B and blues rock. The roster includes Big Dave and the Ultrasonics, David Friesen, Duffy Bishop, Kelly Joe Phelps, Lloyd Jones and Terry Robb. Check out Burnside's Sideburn Records and when in Portland, go to their music retail outlet, Music Millennium.

Cavity Search

This cool label was started in Portland, Oregon, in 1992, and may best be known for helping Elliott Smith get his start in the music world. Cavity Search released a CD by Smith's band Heatmiser and in '94 released Smith's debut solo outing. Some of the illustrious artists who adorn this label's catalog include Danny Barnes (formerly of the Bad Livers), Wayne Horvitz, Pete Krebs, Richmond Fontaine, and King Black Acid.

Conception Records

Underground hip-hop label based outta Seattle, featuring Da Grassroots, Eclipse, Jake One, Arcee, Mr. Supreme and the Conmen.

Cooking Vinyl

Cooking Vinyl is a seminal UK label that has an artist roster made in heaven; including releases by Echo and the Bunneymen, Billy Bragg, XTC, Cracker, Howard Devoto, Pete Shelley, Ryan Adams and so many more that there simply just isn't enough room to list them! Explore Cooking Vinyl's site for yourself.

Crafty Records

Crafty Records is an independent, artist friendly record company based in the Bronx. Their artists range from acoustic to hip-hop.

C/Z Records

C/Z is the 'other' seminal Seattle indie label that unleashed upon the world the music genre known as grunge. This label is home to The Gits, 7 Year Bitch, Skinyard (label founder Daniel House's band), Hammerbox, Treepeople, and others.

Delicious Vinyl

Founded in Hollywood in 1987, Delicious Vinyl is one of the greatest alternative hip-hop labels in the game. They don't have a huge roster, but the artist's that they do have, from the Brand New Heavies to the Pharcyde, are superb.

Dischord

Dischord may be the most vital, staunchly indie label on the face of the planet. Started in 1980 by Ian Mackaye an his cohorts in The Idles to release their posthumous record, the label would go on to document twenty years of Washington, D.C. punk rock, and never succumb to the control of the major labels. Dischord was where Henry Rollins got his start with S.O.A., and Fugazi was born out of the ashes of Minor Threat.

Dublab

A Los Angeles based collective of artist's and DJ's dedicated to building a positive, new music culture. Check out DJ Frosty gittin jiggy with the Gremlin.

Drag City

Based in Chicago, Drag City has released albums by the enigmatic and idiosyncratic Jim O'Rourke, Pavement, Stereolab, Will Oldham, the High Llamas, and Royal Trux. Drag City has a sexy website that makes discovering their artists fun.

ECM

ECM is touted as one of the worlds leading labels for classical, jazz and new, eclectic music. Their roster includes contemporary classical composer Arvo Part, Paul Bley and Carla Bley, Randy Brecker and many other great artists.

Elsinor Records

Hailing from Bellingham, Washington, Elsinor Records appears to be brethren to Seattle's Barsuk. Band roster includes Death Cab For Cutie, Revolutionary Hydra, Puritan, Rat Cat Hogan and Leisure World.

Emperor Norton

Here's where you get your Arling & Cameron, Zoobombs!, Fantastic Plastic Machine, Dublab, Ladytron, and Olivia Tremor Control. Hail Emperor Norton! Long Live Emperor Norton!

Empty Records

Empty's long and infamous existence is a testament to the agelessness of Punk. Their catalog from hell includes releases by the Catheters, The Accused, Dead Moon, Derelicts, The Fartz, Gashuffer, Girl Trouble, Pansy Division, Satan's Pilgrims and Steel Wool. Long live Empty

Epitaph

Epitaph has got to be one of the most diverse, innovative record labels around. They've made their mark mostly by releasing albums by pop-punk groups such as Pennywise, Rancid, Offspring, SNFU and the Circle Jerks, but they've also released important albums by Tom Waits and Merle Haggard! Wacky!