Who needs record labels? Do you? Yes, the music industry is in turmoil — so what’s the point of branding anymore? The Guardian checks out anonymous underground classics, military-industrial backers, trickle-up breakthroughs, warped corps, reissue revivalism, and indie’s wild, wild ride.
>>The name game
What does a record label mean in 2009? Label owners sound off
By Johnny Ray Huston
>>Saved by zero
Dance music still shakes off labels and flirts with the void
By Marke B
>>Great expectations?
Indie labels ride the ups and downs of the blog buzz and bluster
By Kimberly Chun