For many aspiring musicians and music fans, the idea of starting an independent record label is a seductive dream. Eastern student Matt Clark has been able to realize that aspiration with the creation of Indiestry Standard, a label Clark created and oversees.

Clark, a graphic design major, hatched the idea for what would eventually become Indiestry Standard nearly four years ago after playing in a number of local bands and seeing just how helpful an independent label could be for aspiring artists. Cutting his teeth in bands like The Conways, among others, Clark was given firsthand experience from the perspective of a struggling punk band. With Indiestry Standard, he is now able to give support and guidance to those in the situations he once endured.

“I think you learn a lot from serving time in the shoes of the band member that tries to do something really great and doesn’t succeed,” Clark said.”Basically, I was sick of great music being overlooked,and itreally buggedmebecause nobody in the position to make anything happen was knowledgeable about anything people really want.”

With independent labels like Epitaph, Discord, SST, Fat Wreck Chords and a slew of others making names for themselves in the realm of punk and hardcore, it seemed only natural to Clark that his own passion for music could translate to others. With little in the way of capital, but strong in ideas, Clark began looking for talent almost a year ago to bring the label to its feet.

Spotting talent for the Homewood, Ill. native, however, came with some difficulty. Not necessarily in finding talent, as Clark put it, but rather, in weeding out the bands he couldn’t sign in favor of the ones he knew showed the greatest amount of potential. Thus far, Indiestry Standard has signed the California skate-punk trio Girlband and local act The Tires, who, according to Clark, play punk in the same vein as the Queers and Ramones.

“I just keep my eyes open for talent,” he said.”Being involved in living, loving and listening to this music makes that occur pretty naturally. The dilemma is what to do when you find them.”

With the release of Girlband’s “Rock for Beginners” along with future releases from GB (including “One Disaster After Another” and “Music to the Untrained Ear”) and a forthcoming release from The Tires, Clark is in the throes of promotion for the label and has been managing school and a growing business, trying to both graduate and keep his business alive simultaneously.

“In school I sneak the label into it somehow, and after school I make budgets and fill orders, at night I drink and talk on the phone to California,” Clark said.

Keeping the label small for the time being is of great importance, as it affords Clark greater opportunity to work hands-on with each band and allows the groups and the label to mature at a comfortable rate without the pressure of major labels.

“Some labels over-sign acts and they can’t support them,” he said.”They figure they are making an investment in all these possibilities, but they’re really just spreading themselves and their

pocketbooks thin and (IS THERE A WORD MISSING HERE??) end up not being able to properly support each band with a good promotional campaign. I want to give all my attention to the bands I sign and I can’t do that with 20 bands.”

With a focus on The Tires and Girlband along with the pressures of school, Clark has been forced to become a master of time management. Even with his diligence and commitment to both school and work, the task of working at both is at times a daunting task. Even though Indiestry Standard is of primary concern for Clark, other elements are constantly vying for his attention.

“I just work harder to get it done,” he said of his hectic schedule as student and label chief. “Sometimes I feel like when my aunt used to tell me college is easy and real life is hard – it’s easy to realize that when you try to do a real job.”

Although the scheduling may be at times difficult, Clark said he still always makes time for all facets of his life even if the label is a growing demand. Despite his enthusiasm for Indiestry Standard and love for the music he is fortunate to release, even Clark admits it’s a lot of work, but ultimately worth it.

“I get to work with two of my favorite bands,” he said.

In order to support his bands, however, Clark has been on a tireless promotional trail to get the word out about both the bands and the label as well. Whether through plastering fliers, contacting new distributors or arranging shows, Clark said he is constantly mindful of the label. In addition to the upcoming Girlband tour through the Midwest in coming months, Clark is also promoting through WEIU, offering free posters, copies of Girlband’s “Rock for Beginners” and other freebies.

“Call 88.9 FM at 581-6116 anytime this week, during any rock show, and ask about the ‘Indiestry Standard Giveaway,'” he said. The giveaway is running from today through Friday Dec. 13.

With touring possibilities, more records soon to be released and a growing distribution network, Clark’s aspirations of helping talented musicians are quickly being realized. The success of the label has also afforded Clark the opportunity to avoid a particularly annoying part-time job he once worked at a coffee house.

“I got so sick of this one 35-year-old waiter I worked with last summer that I vowed to start a business that would prosper before the next summer so I could go in and just be like, ‘whatever bastard, I’m not even trying’ to lose money working here any more!’ he said.