Nelly Furtado has launched her own indie label Nelstar in conjunction with Canadian independent label group Last Gang Labels. Furtado says “I also think that it’s best to start off an indie. When you are a new band and you sign to a major, you get thrown to the fire. Plus, I always secretly wanted to be an indie artist. When I was a teenager, I loved Ani DiFranco and hoped I could do something like that. A major turned out to be my destiny, but I’m enjoying reconnecting with the indie world.” Her first signing is The Toronto-based electro-dance band Fritz Helder & the Phantoms – two members are her back up dancers.