Dan the Auteur-mator The Neptunes. Timbaland. Sean O'Hagan. Steve Albini. Nowadays, influence seems to lie more with producers than with artists. The above names do more than simply bring to mind a particular "sound," but inspire a certain style, and ethic as well. They imprint projects with a sensibility and attitude that speaks for whole genres. Scratch From the first annual Allies All Star Beatdown DJ Battle at the Roxy in NYC to the new documentary entitled Scratch, turntablism is on the rise again. These high-profile events are exalting turntablism to a new level. Read about acts like GrandWizzard Theodore and Grand Mixer DXT like DJ Shadow, the Invisibl Skratch Piklz, and the Xecutioners. Inner Twang Inner Twang explores the country influenced indie rock bands. These alt-country bands like Wilco, Uncle Tupelo, Mule, Sebadoh, and Meet John Doe, spring from some country roots and then push the envelope to create their unique sounds.

Forms & Sounds Forms & Sounds presents the avante garde and experimental side of indie rock. Bordering on free jazz, Forms & Sounds artists are the musicians are the pioneers who simply defy classification.

We Just Call it Techno With all the the subgenres of electronic music, we go beyond the classifications to feature the best techniques, labels and artists that are making music in not so old fashioned ways. Read features on turntablism and cross genre pollinization of hip hop, rock, and dance music.

Don't Call it Country From an array of disparate genres, Inner Twang drags your favorite rock bands out of the country closet. Forms and Sounds Interview: David Grubbs Enjoying a long and storied career, and currently on a solo tour, this former Gastr Del Sol frontman discusses trajectory departures, life in a commuter band and the dichotomy between punk rock and lawn care. It's Good to be the King In an environment that always strives for definitions, Emperor Norton records, home to Takako Minekawa and Arling and Cameron, cultivates an indefinable kingdom all its own. Sound Images MTV is hardly a viable option for underground bands, but some musicians and filmakers are finding interesting ways to explore the medium Love, Hate and Hope for Radio The state of the airwaves (and your place in it). Law on Order Providing free legal resources for the little guy. Vinyl's Vitals The record is proving more resilient than expected. Net Profit Music retailers find money online Odd Job Jim Santo -- the Demo King speaks out Off the Beaten Path Indie label heads reflect on the present and look into the future.