Beatles Hits for Kids
Beatles Hits for Kids launches the Bingo Records Label.

Band Sugar Bang
Bang Sugar Bang Forges a Model of Indie Community.

Ben Arnold
The singer/songwriter screens vacation slides from his own trip through the majors.

Black 47
From Disc Makers to EMI: Black 47 avoided music industry cliches to gain a following and get signed.

Black 47 Revisited
In our first issue, we discussed how Black 47 got signed. Now they're here to tell us how they went independent and why.

Higher Octave Records
This California indie powerhouse. Founders Matt Marshall and Dan Selene explain their strategy from A&R to marketing.

The House Jacks
This a cappella group passed up the chance to be on a major label to sign with the independent Tommy Boy. The Jacks explain why bigger isn't always better.

Jars of Clay
Christian Rock band Jars of Clay discuss why signing to the Essential label, was the best of both worlds. "Essential has an indie mentality with a major-label budget."

KRS-One
"Had I stopped to fight my record company when I didn't receive royalties my career would have ended." See why the god of hip-hop keeps it independent.

Lorenzo La Roc
On any given day, if you’re looking for Lorenzo La Roc, you’ll likely find him somewhere under the streets of New York City. As one of the city-sanctioned performers in the Music Under New York program, La Roc performs on his electric violin for the passengers of the subway system.

Playing Your Music Live
No matter how good those demo tapes are, all labels – indie or major – still want to see bands live. Here are some do’s and don'ts on how to get started.

Martin's Dam
Read how this Philly act survived getting dropped by one major label, only to be picked up by another.

Daniel Lee Martin
Martin played his first label showcase for Atlantic Records one year after arriving in Nashville. When they offered him a record deal, he turned them down. Then he turned down the next two label offers that came his way. Is this guy crazy? Isn’t this what he wanted? How are you going to make it big in Nashville if you keep saying no to record labels?

Moon Ska Records
Moon Records has become the country's most popular ska label because of an indie attitude that just won't quit. Ska is poised for success, and Moon and its artists are going to reap the rewards.

Popa Chubby
Sony told Popa Chubby to change his sound. Popa, a down and dirty bluesman, told them to get lost. See why Popa's happy without a major.

Lonie Walker
After fifteen years of playing her own "Underground Wonder" bar in Chicago, Lonie Walker's success as an independent artist comes through creativity, a voracious capacity for live performing, and an infectious personality that shines through her music.

Dave Weiner
From Steve Vai’s management intern to guitarist in Steve Vai’s band, Dave Weiner is proof that diligence, good timing, and monster chops are a good recipe for success. Fast Forward catches up with Dave as his new CD is making its way through the plant.

White Water
How a family in northern Michigan combined science and music to carve its measure of success.