When Johnny Marr and Morrissey met for the second time in 1982 to discuss plans for their newly formed band, the pair wrote down ideas in a notebook in the singer’s bedroom. One of their first decisions was that the Smiths would sign to an independent label. Although Morrissey and Marr, along with anyone in Manchester with a passing interest in contemporary music, had links with Factory, the duo placed the London-based Rough Trade at the top of their wish list.

Read on at How indie labels changed the world | Music | The Guardian.