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.

Check out the rock/funk Cage The Elephant. The band was formed by brothers Matt and Brad Schultz in Bowling Green, Kentucky. “They toured extensively in the States and visited Britain to support Foals and The Subways, eventually securing themselves a UK record deal with Relentless.” KROQ (Los Angles) just started playing ‘Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked’ from their debut record which was recorded in 10 days. They will be performing at SXSW March 21st at Antone’s.

Juke Kartel is a rock band from Melbourne, Australia and became the first unsigned band to play the MTV Awards in Australia. Frontman Toby Rand was a finalist on Rockstar Supernova.  The band worked on their  debut album, Nowhere Left To Hide, at Seattle’s renowned London Bridge Studios with rock producer Rick Parashar (Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, 3 Doors Down, Nickelback). The band will performing tonight at The Roxy in Hollywood, California. For more information contact mail@hjm.com.au

“Robbie Williams, KT Tunstall and the members of Radiohead will join a group of high-profile musicians to protest at how badly they are treated by record companies and music streaming websites like YouTube.”

“Google, YouTube’s owner is a company that makes billions in profits; we think they should be paying artist royalties from the advertising revenue they make,” Billy Bragg told The Times. “A dispute like this illustrates the needs for the creation of the Featured Artists Coalition, so we have have a voice and the public understand that sites like Google should be paying for music.”  (Times Online)

Think Youtube needs to fess up?

Check out the track Clearview by Tal and Acacia – two sisters signed to Provident Music Group.