The record label Rough Trade is 30 years old this year. You can read our feature about the label's history here, and also see what we think are the ten Rough Trade albums that you really should own.
Since it was set up in 1978, Geoff Travis (and latterly Jeanette Lee)'s record label has been home to stellar names such as Stiff Little Fingers, The Fall, The Smiths, The Sundays, Arcade Fire and Antony And The Johnsons. Acts that, if you have even a grain of musical taste, you'll have in your collection.
But do record labels even matter anymore? These days, anyone can upload a video of themselves singing on YouTube or MySpace and have a potential audience of millions. Does it matter to you what label your favourite band are on? And does 'indie' even mean anything anymore? Most record labels are owned by multi-global comglomorates anyway now. The other day I overheard someone describing their favourite sort of music - "indie stuff mainly...you know, Coldplay, things like that". Coldplay, of course, being on the tiny struggling indie label of EMI.
Let us know your thoughts - whether it be the state of indie music, your favourite Rough Trade releases or simply to pay tribute to what Travis and Lee have brought to the industry.
