For three decades, independent record labels have ran like chic clothing stores: they handpick select artists, focus on specific genres, and build a reputable brand. The major labels, which are all boarding on bankruptcy, have produced product like Wal-Mart: they sell artists of any genre, without specific branding. Lady Gaga and King of Leon could have signed with Interscope, Universal, or Epic. Cat Power could never represent Ed Banger. She’s pure Matador.
While the indie model has failed the film and publishing industries for decades, the independent music industry has flourished, but things are about to change. Last year, indie novels won both the Pulitzer and the National Book Award.
Two Dollar Radio, an independent publisher, has garnered much attention in the last few months. Launched in 2005 by a married couple, the publisher releases six books a year, mostly new fiction, but also reprints of underground classics like cult icon Rudy Wurlitzer’s Nog. While other indie prints imitate the major leaguers by releasing a variety of genres, Two Dollar Radio is a brand. Although the company claims it releases any fiction that has great originality, each of their books, from cover to conclusion, feels like a Two Dollar Radio production: nostalgic, experimental, and relatable. One only has to look at their website to get a feel for their books. Like Matador Records, I would buy anything Two Dollar Radio releases.
Check out their latest book, my new read, Orange Eats Creeps: http://twodollarradio.com/books-oec.htm
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