And Records (Japan; http://www.andrecords.jp/) - "&". Under this common symbol of the world, introducing the cool "&" warm music, And Records wants to be the bridge between Japanese music scene "&" other countries, and contribute to the world of Love "&" Peace.

Beggars Banquet (offices in the UK and US, http://www.beggars.com/) - It's almost twenty-five years since Beggars Banquet unleashed its first 7" single, the three chord buzzsaw rush of The Lurkers' "Shadow/ Love Story". In that time, the southwest London label has consistently released groundbreaking records while also establishing a group of equally groundbreaking labels. They've experienced the lows of near bankruptcy and the highs of hitting number one all over the world. They've been at the forefront of every major change in distribution for independent record labels, from deals with majors to helping to establish a truly independent distribution network, and on to today when they are seizing the opportunities and changes brought about by the increasing influence of the World Wide Web. Where hundreds have failed, Beggars has continued to grow, proving in the process that an independent doesn't have to adopt the same values as a major in order to succeed. For today, just as always, the main motivation behind the entire Beggars Group is quite simply to put out great music. And if commercial success happens along the way (as it so often has - to a startling degree) then that's just an added bonus. Truly one of the most exciting and inspiring indie labels on the planet. And their label family, including 4AD and XL Recordings, keeps growing.....

Bootleg Booze Records (Sweden; http://www.bootlegbooze.com/) - Swedish vinyl-only rock label. Artists include the Hymans and Noise of Reality - they also have some Social Distortion in their back catalog. News, MP3s, history, mailing list, catalog.

Bourbon Records (Argentina; http://www.bourbonrecords.com/) - Bourbon Records is the result of the union of three independent musicians, friends, and rock n' rollers who believe in the indie marke. The mission is to release quality products, where the musician has the control of the artwork, and the label is just the correct environment to make it all possible.

Blazing Strumpet (Australia; http://www.blazingstrumpet.com/) - There is so much kick-arse music in the Australian Underground - particularly in Perth - and Blazing Strumpet wants people to hear it. By raising awareness of the local scene, everyone benefits. Aussies with attitude - it doesn't get much better than this. Home to The Painkillers, Standard Deviants and The Homicides, this indie label puts the "p"unk in Perth.

Camera Obscura Records (Australia; http://www.cameraobscura.com.au/) - Camera Obscura is a small independent record label operating out of the Central Victoria Highlands in Australia. The label was started in 1996 as conduit for the release of contemporary acid-folk, psych-pop, and space-rock. That's still who they are, though the boundaries have always been allowed to stretch and blur. The label has over 70 releases to its credit, working with both vinyl and CD formats. A small, but effective label.

Chemikal Underground Records (Scotland; http://www.chemikal.co.uk/) - Chemikal Underground Records is the hugely influential independent record label created by the four members of Glasgow's The Delgados. Now over 11 years old and still run by the Delgados (although the band itself is sadly no more) Chemikal Underground has launched the careers of Mogwai, Arab Strap, Interpol, and Bis to name a few.

Earsay Records (Israel; http://www.earsayrecords.com/) - Ever since its inception in 1987, the Third Ear record shop has been a musical haven for all that is different and adventurous in music. Apart from importing to Israel the best and latest in alternative music (alternative in the widest definition possible), the Third Ear record shop has always looked for ways to help the "outsiders" of the local music industry, those musicians who share the same musical and ideological artistic nonconformity. For these artists and their musical endeavors, in 1998 the Third Ear established the Earsay record label.

Earwing Records (Croatia; http://www.earwingrecords.com/) - Croatian pop and electronica label. Artists include Peach Pit, Glasshopper, and Jullander. There are some interesting and pseudo-avantgarde sounds happening here. It's worth a listen to expand your musical palate (On a side note, I-M's global web explorer loves international culture, and frequently finds herself drawn to all things Croatian.)

Electrolux (Germany; http://www.elektrolux.com/) - Almost five years after it's foundation, Elektrolux has built up a strong reputation beyond the borders of Germany. The output of the Frankfurt-based label ranges from Ambient and Electro to Dub, often incorporating other contemporary musical styles like House, Downbeat/Broken Beats, or Drum'n'Bass. The list of artists releasing on Elektrolux is long and incorporates projects from Germany as well as from the UK, the USA, the Netherlands, and even Iceland. Acts like Full Moon Fashions (London) or the chill out specialists Aural Float (Frankfurt) have received international acclaim, and the US-German experimental outfit Insect Jazz and multimedia performers Supreme Particles have also released first class productions on Elektrolux.

Exogenic Music (Finland; http://www.exogenic.com/) - The trailblazer of Finnish electronic music, Exogenic Records was founded in 1996 by music fanatic Jacob Ehrnrooth. Exogenic started as a record label for psychedelic Goa trance music. In those times Goa trance was rarely published in Finland and the label offered the medium for artists. In ten years Exogenic Records has grown to be Exogenic Music Group, which includes the labels Exogenic Breaks Records, Terra Records, and newcomer XO Records. The label has widened its scope from psychedelic Goa trance music to breaks, disco, down-tempo, world music, and even rock.

Household Name Records (Brixton - South London, UK; http://www.householdnamerecords.co.uk/) - Household Name Records began in 1996 with a compilation to promote "unknown" UK bands that were out there playing, but not releasing records. (Not the most original of starts, but hey, you've gotta start somewhere!) The label is based in Brixton, South London, having evolved from the grimy underbelly of the London punk and independent gig scene. Founders Lil and Kafren were struck down with an addiction to releasing punk and hardcore records. Now completely hooked - and with a tribe of co-conspirators - they have over 70 releases. Their desire is to be part of a vibrant and intelligent worldwide hardcore-punk-rock movement.

Jungle Records (London, UK; http://www.jungle-records.com/) - Jungle Records is a London-based independent label, serving up some of the best selections of indie, punk, goth, and cutting-edge dance music, plus much more, since 1982. Artists include Mercury Rev, Fields Of The Nephilim, Iggy Pop, Johnny Thunders, UK Subs, and Jimi Hendrix.

Sanctuary Records (offices in London, Berlin, New York, Houston, and LA; http://www.sanctuaryrecords.co.uk/) - Sanctuary Records' music catalogues now contain over 150,000 tracks, making it the world's largest independent owner of music IPR. Recent album successes include Morrissey, Kiss, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Spiritualized, The Strokes, Belle & Sebastian, The Libertines, Alison Moyet, The Delays, Small Faces, and Fun Lovin' Criminals - all across over 20 labels, including Rough Trade, Trojan, Sanctuary Records, and Fantastic Plastic. DVD successes include titles from The Who, Iron Maiden and Rush. It is the UK's largest independent record company and is achieving strong growth in sales of recorded music and music audio-visual product worldwide.

Scientific Laboratories (Ireland; http://www.scientificlaboratories.com/) - Active since 1999, Scientific Laboratories is a record label based in Dublin, Ireland. With new releases in the US, Australia, and all over Europe, the bands on this label are beginning to buzz. They're liars, and we love them.

Shock Records (Australia; http://www.shock.com.au/) - Started 13 years ago in a tiny terrace, Shock now employs 140+ staff in five state offices. The 3 original partners started Shock Music to release, distribute, and export Australian music. Australia's largest independent music company is still fully Australian owned & operated. Shock Records distributes to markets and exports CDs by top Australian artists in all their styles of music - dance, pop, blues, hip-hop,alternative, rock, folk, roots, country, and metal. Shock Exports is the largest exporter of Australian music with clients on all continents.

Smalltown Supersound (Norway; http://www.smalltownsupersound.com/) - Smalltown Supersound is an independent record label based in Oslo, Norway, and dedicated to new forms of jazz, rock and electronic music. Their catalog features albums by Jaga Jazzist, Mats Gustafsson, and Sonic Youth, amongst others. In 2004, the company launched the sub-label Smalltown Superjazzz which is intended to release "jazz with a punk attitude".

Sordide Sentimental (France; http://perso.orange.fr/sordide.sentimental/) - Jean-Pierre Turmel's seminal experimental music label. Breathtaking graphic design, and focused curation of the label. Some of the most acclaimed/controversial bands have had exclusive releases on this label, the most notorious and collectible by far being Joy Division's "Dead Souls" 7" single. But bands such as Psychic TV, Throbbing Gristle, Ludus, Monte Cazzazza, Savage Repulic, Tuxedomoon, Durutti Column, and more have also made appearances.