If you’re looking for a role model when launching your own record label, you can’t do much better than independent pioneers Matador Records. Founded in 1989, the label has been home for such genre-defining artists as Pavement, Interpol, Cat Power, and Liz Phair – helping to push the growth of the independent music scene across two decades.

Working in Matador’s sales department since 2007, Full Sail Show Production and Entertainment Business graduate Chris Merrow has been studying the approach of this groundbreaking company from the inside out, and channeling their philosophy into his own label, Not Alone Records.

“I wanted to work at Matador after graduation because I was going to start up a label, and I wanted to get experience on how to run it from one of the best,” he explains. “I work with their distribution for indie stores – making sure they get their orders, and updating them on what’s new at the label. It’s been great training, and really an honor because I respect their music and what they’ve done for the industry.”

Chris now balances his time between Matador and Not Alone, and the contacts he’s made at the company have helped him sharpen his approach as a young label owner. Working alongside these professionals and their roster of artists he’s gotten the practical advice on marketing, distribution, and developing new talent in today’s music industry.

“I have friends at Matador who also run their own labels on the side, so it’s cool to talk to them about what I’m doing,” he shares. “All the people that work there are very knowledgeable, so if I have a question about anything I can always just ask. I’m learning tons of stuff, and they’re all really supportive. It’s definitely a lot of work, but this is my dream.”

Chris has spent this summer prepping Not Alone’s first release, a new album from up-and-coming pop-tinged rock band A Coastline Ending. The band has recently wrapped up the recording of the new disc, In the Name of Progression, with producer Chris Badami (The Starting Line, Dillinger Escape Plan, Midtown).

“I’m glad that they were my first band – I love the music, and I think they’re going to be very successful,” he shares. “I just picked up distribution with OARfin distribution so all of Not Alone's releases will be available nationwide at Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Circuit City, FYE, Newbury Comics, all the indies … basically any place that sells CDs.”

A Coastline Ending is currently on the road this summer promoting In the Name of Progression… (out July 15) with a string of East Coast shows. And with his label’s debut about to hit stores Chris is looking ahead to developing more artists on Not Alone Records – a label whose name sums up his approach to the music industry.

“I’m looking at signing about five bands in the next year,” he explains. “My job now is about gaining a rapport with artists, seeing what they’re looking for in a label, and figuring out what I can do for them. I want them to feel like it’s a family when they’re on this label. I actually called it Not Alone Records because I want to release those albums that when you put on, they’ll be your friend – like you’re not alone.”

“As corny as that sounds, I just want to put out some great music – and if you really want to do it you definitely can. There’s nothing stopping you but yourself.”