Strength and depth in artistic merit of today's music scene can be measured by the abundance of diverse and innovative independent record labels.  In spite of consolidation of the majors into a few megalithic hulks, look closely and you'll see small, specialized labels if not thriving then certainly putting out some interesting material.  There is too a growth in the home recording and marketing side of things too thanks to digital technology studio, internet and e-commerce.  Self-publishing is now a viable option though it is highly unlikely that you'll become a rock star or rich by that route. 

Chicago is home to several diverse indie labels - Thrill Jockey, Drag City, Quarterstick and Kranky to name a few.  Each label has its own character so that in buying from a particular label you have got a pretty good idea of the content beforehand.  Thrill Jockey have a deep association with the post-rock, prog-jazz combo Tortoise.  At the noisier, edgy end of the post-rock spectrum come June of 44 on Quarterstick.  Montreal's quirky, yet beautiful Constellation outfit are home to an eclectic range of avant-garde anarchists like godspeed you black emperor!, Do Make Say Think and Sofa.  Constellation have a fine reputation for superb, hand-made packaging too.  Across the city, Alien8 Recordings cater for the more outta here section of musical tastes - ranging from David Kristian's electronic tone poems and North American releases of Japanese noisenik Merzbow. 

Kranky has built a shining catalogue around subtle, ambient inspired acts.  First release for the outfit was Labradford's debut Prazision, a wodge of controlled yet lush electronics, soft electronic beats and filling-in-the-gaps guitar.  Labradford have formed the backbone of the label's output setting the tone for drone bands like Bowery Electric, Stars of the Lid; trippiness of Magnog; Windy & Carl's soundscapes; and Low's downbeat offerings.  Kranky are also the US home for godspeed. 

My latest purchases of Kranky product included two releases from Pan American, the side project of Labradford's Mark Nelson.  Labradford create interlocking, subtle rhythms round gentle yet incessant dub influenced beats.  They are one of the quietest bands I've seen live.  Their 9:30 Club show last September was all about control, pace and precision.  This is perfect ambient music lost in a club setting.  Labradford have for a couple of years now toured extensively in the UK and Europe where I imagine this approach receives greater respect.  I seem to recall a festival organized on the South Bank roof for example. 

Pan American is a slight contrast to Labradford.  Nelson expands of themes used in the trio - the metronomic beat, glistening keys.  But here and there he expands the vocabulary partly through the use of guests - Rob Mazurek's delicate points of light on coronet and incidental vocals from members of Low.  The effect is quiet brilliance, not the kind of thing you expect out of Richmond, Virginia. 

360 Business/360 Bypass closely resembles that last Labradford release E Luxo So with its watercolour-like sounds.  But, Nelson broadens his approach with the aforementioned additional instrumentation.  He also uses this release as an unashamed laboratory extending some tracks beyond rigid boundaries.  That is not to say they are segued.  It's as though the tracks accreted by themselves.  Pieces take time to develop; they build up with gradual layers of sound; meld and mould; then deconstruct.  This then is an exercise in ambience reminiscent of early Brian Eno - particularly his Music for ... series. 

A shame to say that Pan American does not look like visiting these parts.  However, I imagine that much of Nelson's atmospheric yet penetrating music would be even further lost on the regulars at the 9:30. 

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