We’re all more than familiar with Rough Trade, Epitaph, XL, Fat Possum, and the virtually unending list of iconic independent record labels that follows on from these great international outlets. But you may not be so aware that some of the world’s most renowned indies have their HQs right here in Australia.

If you don’t believe us, just check out the list below. Some of your most beloved Australian and even international artists are in fact partnered with labels that started in garages and bedrooms in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and elsewhere. Some by veterans of the Aussie music industry and some by inexperienced kids who were struggling to make rent.What links them all is that they’re all independent, they’re packed with great artists, and they’re all proudly Australian. So make sure you keep an eye on each of these labels, because your next favourite band could just have one of their logos on their debut LP.

Chapter Music

This is almost unequivocally the most treasured label in Australia. It could have something to do with the fact that it’s the longest-serving independent label in the country, checking-in at 22-years of operations. It could also have something to do with the the fact that it boasts of an exquisitely curated roster with some of the most unique, innovative artists in Australian music.

Originating in Perth, Western Australia, Chapter Music has grown exponentially from signing artists from Australia, both now too to the likes of Japan and Sweden. The core essence of Chapter Music is their incredible knack for discovering talent and their fearlessness in signing a particular person/band that others may shy away from.

Artists you may know: Andras & Oscar,Twerps, Beaches, Geoffrey O’Connor, Dick Diver

Chapter Music will be celebrating their Chapterfest edition #22 on Saturday the 22nd as part of Melbourne Music Week, info and tickets here.

Modular People

This titan of Aussie independent labels begun with Sydney-based concert promotor Steve Pavlovic in 1998. This was a massive year for the brand-spanking new label, which saw the releases of The Living End’s eponymous debut record as well as Ben Lee’s Breathing Tornados, and since, Modular has grown to something massive.

Having scored the likes of The Presets and Cut Copy at the beginning of the indie-synth rock 2000s, Modular was thrust into the spotlight as one of Australia’s premiere labels.

This independent group has remained a heavyweight within industry, with boasting rights aplenty when one considers their insane the artists it takes care of.

Artists you may know: Tame Impala, Cut Copy, The Presets, Pond, The Avalanches

Cut Copy are performing a DJ set on Saturday Nov 15th alongside No Zu, Andras & Oscar, and many more as part of Melbourne Music week.

Two Bright Lakes

Two Bright Lakes is everything you want to see from an independent label. Based in Melbourne and bearing one of the most eclectic artist rosters in the country, this young group (Two Bright Lakes launched in 2007) is entirely artist-run and takes pride in releasing only the music that they feel most passionate about, whether it be “ambient folk music to slomo-house, to RnB and much in between”.

In addition to a consistent output of quality records, Two Bright Lakes take pride in staging visually and aurally engaging live performances at venues around the country. They produce and collaborate on exciting video art for their signees, ensuring each is a fully-formed artist with an individual perspective and aesthetic.

Artists you may know: Banoffee, The Harpoons, Collarbones, Oscar Key Sung, Speed Painters

The Harpoons, and Banoffee are both performing Melbourne Music Week shows. The Harpoons are performing at The Toff’s Live Music Safari, and Banoffee as part of Spook Mag’s event.

ONETWO Records

What do you do when you’re one of the most recognised rappers in Australia and an ARIA Award winner? Well, if you’re Melbourne native Illy, you spread the love around and launch your own independent hip-hop label, which is just what he did in 2013. His first signing? None other than critically acclaimed Adelaide rhyme-sliner Allday, who recently unveiled his full-length debut, Startup Cult, on the label.

Having left iconic Australian hip-hop outlet Obese Records following the release of his 2012 album, Bring It Back, Illy partnered with We Are Unified (UNFD), his global management representative, to launch ONETWO, through which he released his latest album, the ARIA Award-nominated Cinematic.

Artists you may know: Illy, Allday

For Melbourne Music Week Allday will be joining L-Fresh The Lion, and Baro on Sunday November the 16th at Queen Vic Markets

I OH YOU

In what has been frequently described as “the coolest label in Australia” there’s no questioning just how popular this Melbourne-based crew are.

Their story is encompassed to one little quote, “keeping the gas on since ’09”. To briefly explain, four teenage housemates received a final notice from their gas company, and fearing they’d be without their precious resource, decided to throw a party to raise funds to pay their bills. After hosting one crazy night of live music and probable debauchery, the idea was born that this was the field they must be involved in.

Since ’09, I OH YOU has thrown insane parties in Melbourne which has now extended to Brisbane, and has also expanded to their own record label with quite literally the most hyped artists of 2014.

Artists you may know: Violent Soho, DMA’s, City Calm Down, DZ Deathrays, Bleeding Knees Club

City Calm Down are part of Ferdydurke and Section 8’s Melbourne Music Week Live Music Safari on Thursday the 20th November

Remote Control

This Melbourne-based outlet, launched in 2001 by Harvey Saward (Shock Records’ International A&R Manager for ten years) and Steve Cross (previously General Manager at Festival Mushroom Records (FMR)) has grown to become one of the most recognised independent labels Down Under, providing a variety of services, including marketing, promotional support, and label management to a diverse roster of local and international talent.

Their reputation has seen them work with the likes of The White Stripes, Adele, The National, Radiohead, The XX, Vampire Weekend, M.I.A., and Interpol, who’ve all gravitated to what the label describes as their dedication to “the tragically outdated notions of artistic development and creative ambition”.

Artists you may know: Client Liaison, Black Cab, Dirty Three

Black Cab will be performing new songs from their upcoming album on Sunday November 16th as part of the Melbourne Music Week celebrations

Inertia Music

The tale of this now mammoth local label begun in early 2000 with a young man by the name of Ashley Sellers working out of his Sydney lounge room.

Building a reputation on quality, independence and camaraderie, Inertia is now a leader of one of the country’s most important indie music companies, dealing with a multitude of tasks that extends to licensing, promotions, management and merchandising services.

Naturally, Inertia’s greatest feature is its stunning roster that’s decorated in some of the most adored Australian artists at the moment, as well as representing international superstars such as The War On Drugs, Asgeir and Sharon Van Etten.

Artist you may know: Sia, Delta Riggs, Meg Mac

Architecture In Helsinki will be bringing the Melbourne Music Week party to The Queen Vic markets on Friday November the 14th

Siberia Records

Cutting records for the likes of FORCES and Kirin J Callinan, the crew at Siberia are at the very forefront of ground-breaking Australian music.

Seeking artists that do not always follow the same blueprint “indie rock sound”, this label can be trusted to dig-up and represent any musician they believe to wield unique, a little more “left of centre” talent.

They’ve also been known to host to some pretty whacky and insanely great parties held in secret locations with secret artists, like the ‘Island Getaway’.

Artists you may know: Midnight Juggernauts, Kirin J Callinan, FORCES, Jonti

Midnight Juggernauts, and Kirin J Callinan are a part of Melbourne Music Week’s ’10th Anniversary Festivus’ on Saturday November the 22nd