Hello,

One Percent for the Planet is featuring heavily in my ‘world’ again lately. That’ all I’m going to say for now, but for now, it’s a great organisation and an even greater idea.

It’s an exciting and historic time for small, independent record labels. This year, Heavenly, Moshi Moshi and Domino all celebrate significant milestones in their history. Next year, XL also turns 20, and there is a great guardian article about them all today.

Whether you like the bands they brought you, some of whom have become a product of the industry, rather then a self-assessment of their own beginnings, or not. If you don’t, never have or can no longer stand them, the importance of these labels acts as a beacon in today’s frosted glass culture of the industry and cannot be denied. It is no surprise that these labels are making hard-earned money hand over fist, because to them, pounds and pennies aren’t the bottom line.

Every time you pick up the latest Rough Trade sampler, keep an eye of some of the unknown names and in 10 years, in the music section of the dog and duck pub quiz, go on and surprise yourself.

It’s more than I can say for the Mercury prize this week just gone – and I actually like The Seldom Seen Kid. It’s not the fact that a very deserving Elbow offering won, it’s just a shame they were there in the first place, because so much amazing music has been made in this last year, and the boat of opportunity to laud these records about has sailed. I like the promise this shows towards ailing, yet critically acclaimed bands looking for a few more gasps at life. But Elbow aren’t this band. I don’t know any label that wouldn’t sign them immediately if they were again unfairly dropped. They’d go until there were no more labels left, such is the strength of Guy Garvey and his merry-drunken men. Then again, who am I to judge? What makes anyone an expert? Personally, I think these should have won it, hang ‘n’ all.

For now,

Thom
Hand & Face