This is one of those record labels you hear about. It's probably harder to get much indier than this. Although it's fairly well known, it's been run out of this guy's mom's garage for ten or so years. It's run by Mike Park, who is a great artist in his own right. I really like his taste in music, as I'm sure he vets who's in the label. I like practically everybody Asian Man has on offer, with particularl fondness for Johnny Socko (their first album, not the others), MU330, Mike Park and the Polysics (kind of a Japanese Devo). Ordering online is a good deal if you live in the US, but typically, outside the US, it's negligible due to the extraordinary shipping charges. Anyway, excellent stuff. Check em out.

If you don't like this band, then you must be dead. Probably my top fave band next to Rage Against the Machine. Think of White Strips but with way more talent and less nonsensical lyrics. The lead singer Beth quite a cutie with a voice that can belt out rock/blues like nobody's business. Seriously, she gives greats like Bessie and Ella a run for their money. The blues/punk/rock (Who cares what they are, exactly, they rule) tracks are wonderfully simplistic and highly addictive. I never get tired listening to them and they are awesome live, if you ever get the chance. They're from Portland, I think, so if you get the chance you should check em out. They tour pretty wide, though, I think.

The Weakerthans have become semi well known on the Canadian scene as of late. Not as well known as they deserve to be, but they're actually getting some play on mainstream (alt) radio stations. Not to be indier than though, but I've been listening to this band and whatever major label they've hooked up with doesn't have confidence in their work since the stuff you hear on the pop radio is reworked versions of their own stuff. The reworked stuff sucks, but the original stuff is really great. The songs are simple, fun and while also being alternatively melancholy (that'll make no sense unless you listen to them, but it's hard to describe this cool feel they've got going on in their music.) The lyrics, in particular, are fantastic. The Weakerthans call themselves a 'power pop band' which sounds really lame and doesn't give them a lot of credit. I recommend them.

Bob Log III is this crazy guy who dresses up in elvis-style jumpsuits, wears a motorcycle helmet with an old phone receiver in it as his mouthpiece (it acts as his mic) and plays mean, mean, mean slide guitar while operating drums with his feet. Yes, he's a one man band and isn't afraid to be crass, fun or himself. His song titles are gleefully juvenile (Boob Scotch, I got your shit on my leg) but don't let that distract you from the fact that his music is wildly fun and he's an amazing player. If you like it wild, you can't go wrong with a little Bob Log III.

If you like fun, 80s style music with fun, but goofy lyrics about nerds and punks, then you'll probably like Atom and his Package. There's an understated genius to his music which is usually all about his friends. Think of it as a fun Generation X soundtrack.

Ok, this isn't music at all but, instead, the recordings of a man who narrated entire dreams in his sleep. Yes, a sleeptalker. But we're not just talking a few bits, he carries on conversations. If you listen carefully, you can figure out what he's dreaming about and they are often perverse, hilarious, disgusting, insightful and always amazing. Also, he ends almost all of his dreams by waking up screaming. Yes, they're real. I've tried getting my friends into this guy, but most of them just can't cut it. I don't konw why, it's fascinating stuff. Listen to it twice and you're hooked. Both the above compilations are available. Check em out, I gauruntee you'll at least be fascinated.