Independent record labels are not unlike children sired by parents without a lot of money but a good deal of love to give. In the case of Sydney record label Ivy League, birthed in 1997 from an idealistic plan (make records, put – œem out, get noticed) and blessed with good genes, it has for a decade flourished in a tough city where the death of record labels and old folks can go unnoticed for years.

Now in 2007, Ivy League is about to celebrate ‘Ten Years In The Trenches’, with the release of a special album that spans the history of both the label and its publishing arm.

The album will feature tracks from The Vines, Youth Group, Red Riders, Josh Pyke, 78 Saab, The City Lights, The Mess Hall, The Stands, Neon, The Silents, Monarchs, Peabody and John Reed Club among others, as well as a brand new song put together especially for the album.

The opening track on the album, ‘Out Of My Hands’, is performed by the first Ivy Regiment Band, an Ivy League supergroup of sorts. It features the combined might of Josh Pyke, Toby Martin (Youth Group), Ben Nash (78 Saab), Hamish Rosser (The Vines), Adrian Deutsch (Red Riders), Patrick Matthews (Youth Group) and Josh Bitmead (Neon).

The release of Ten Years In The Trenches will be followed by an Ivy League concert extravaganza – more details on that soon!

‘Out Of My Hands’ hits the radio waves on September 10.

Ten Years In The Trenches hits the streets on October 20.