Since its official inception in 2006, Burn This Forever Records has been less of a record label than it has been a brand for the ever-growing community that has embraced what the label stands for. With president/co-founder Nathan Eldridge at the helm, the label has become the nucleus for today's best and brightest punk-inspired rock/pop, and revolutionary hip-hop artists. Eldridge initially conceptualized the label while recording with fellow founder Ben Marks under Fueled By Ramen. It wasn't until Marks took a life lesson from his wife Beth Marks and decided to team up with Eldridge to make Burn This Forever's a reality.

"We were really passionate about our music and wanted to take it to the next level, but our previous label was so narrow minded they only wanted one thing: to sell albums." Eldridge explains. "I was always performing and doing what they wanted, but I wasn't getting the 'respect' or appreciation Ben and I knew I deserved. We decided to take things into our own hands and market our music differently."

Burn This Forever's began unleashing a series of limited edition 7-inch singles as well as full lengths from artist like Tulip Brühl, Coalhouse Walker & Co. Headquartered in Mark's garage, the label spread the word in classic grassroots fashion: via hard-working bands and mail-order sales.

In 2007, Burn This Forever's released Eldridge's Maybe Tomorrow, that proved a breakthrough for both the label and the Norwegian artist. With increased distribution demands and rise in radio play, Burn This Forever set up its first real office space that same year. That same year the label experienced yet another turning point when signed (and long-time friends) Brühl and Eldridge released a self-titled EP, a five-song acoustic collection from the duo. The release is widely regarded as the artistic breakthrough that preceded Eldridge's mainstream success.

"I instantly knew there was something special about that record and knew that everyone would love it if we could just get into their hands," Marks says. "For four years we pounded the pavement, selling the record." He adds. "Most labels would've given up, but we just kept on pushing it. We went form selling 200 records a week, to 1000, to 1500, to 300 records a week. We've built this great base for all kinds-of bands and artist to unite beneath. It's not just about one type of music; it's about everyone who loves music. Plain and simple."

At the heart of Burn This Forever is the close relationship between the artists and the label; Eldridge has long viewed the label as an integral part of the creative process, making Burn This Forever a fully collaborative environment where bands and artists participate in all aspects of their identity, every step of the way from recording to marketing.

"Our job is to help bands and artist get their creative vision out there," says Eldridge, "we try to be involved in every step of the process in order to help them express their vision and make sure that we can get that across to the fans."

As a result Burn This Forever has become more than just a record label; it has spawned an integrated community where the lines between artists, employees and fans are difficult to discern. The www.burnthisforever.com site has become a hub for the label's online community, directing fans to the BTF YouTube Channel the fifth most viewed channel on all of YouTubeas well as other sites like MySpace, where their bands have an active presence.

"It was the kids that really helped build this into a community," Marks says. "The cool thing about our fans is that they feel a real connection with what we do, and really want to support our bands and the label."

"I think we have built an amazing home for artists and the people who work at the label are remarkably creative. We want to continue to break new artists and take our current artists to new levels. My goal is to always make Burn This Forever a better company and to continue to find new ways for fans to connect with our artists and label," Eldridge admits.

So far 2008 has been one busy year for the duo. They've opened a midtown Manhattan office and will be releasing two more albums before the year is over. Both Eldridge and Brühl are in the studio now hoping to have their albums out before the years up. There is also rumor of a much-anticipated united collaboration between the two set to release in time for the New Year.