8. Factory

Independent Record Labels Details

As shown in the 2002 film 24 Hour Party People, Factory was more than just the record label that gave us Joy Division. Founded in 1978 by Tony Wilson and Alan Erasmus to chronicle the sound and feel of the music that was putting Manchester, England on the map, Factory went on to shape the way independent music would be viewed forever, using a creative team that gave Factory artists a recognizable sound and image. Artists that called Factory home included the Joy Division, as well as OMD, New Order, Happy Mondays, and A Certain Ratio.

7. Touch and Go

Independent Record Labels Details

Like Sub Pop, this influential indie started as nothing more than an underground music magazine (though founder Tesco Vee turned the label over to Necros bassist Corey Rusk before it really took off). Based in Chicago, Touch and Go made its name in the 1980s, releasing bold noise rock albums by Jesus Lizard, Butthole Surfers, and Big Black, and has long been well-regarded by artists who appreciated the label’s simple approach to the business side of the industry, including splitting profits 50-50 with its artists and no formal contracts. Though the independent record labels formalized the process a bit in the wake of a lawsuit brought against it by Butthole Surfers, it remains active today, discovering important recent bands TV on the Radio and Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

6. Matador

Independent Record Labels Details

Founded in 1989 by Chris Lombardi out of his New York City apartment, this label has long boasted one of the most impressive indie rock rosters around. Perhaps best known for discovering and releasing all of influential indie band Pavement’s albums, Matador also gave us both Interpol and Liz Phair’s critically acclaimed first two albums, and all of the releases of Belle & Sebastian and the New Pornographers. Matador has on several occasions partnered with major labels (Atlantic and Capitol), but today it is again an indie, though now co-owned by the British Beggars Group, and continues to release albums from buzzed about artists, including Harlem, Kurt Vile, Times New Viking, and Shearwater.

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