Jan Marica runs Indie-Labels, a Web site devoted to giving independent musicians and music labels some much-needed exposure.

Born in Santa Monica, California, in 1947, Jan grew up in Northern California. His family moved around a lot and, by the time he had left home at 18, he had lived in over 50 homes. This produced a twisted individual, which he remains to this day.

Over the ensuing 30 years or so, he has tried his hand at many different things, including dishwasher, firefighter/EMT, commercial fisherman, dope dealer, panhandler, carpenter, laborer and baggage handler. He has worked in dive shops, computer stores, aquaculture firms, hospitals, furniture factories, fish packeries and so on. His education is primarily self-inflicted. Jail time has been minimal.

In the '60s he went seeking the Beats but found the Hippies instead. He served his time in the Haight-Ashbury, leaving in 1967 after the notorious "Summer of Love." For the rest of the '60s and '70s he made his home in the woods of Humboldt and Mendocino counties, living at first in a tipi, then in a small one-room shack which he built and eventually expanded into the fairly comfortable home where his first daughter was born and his first ex-wife still resides.

The '70s took a heavy toll on him and his friends. Half of the people he hung out with are now dead, and a lot of the rest wish they were. Jan moved to Hawaii, where he has been living ever since, raising his 13-year-old daughter, painting and writing fiction and songs. Some of his work can be seen at his e-zine Elmer Swims.

Stories by Jan include:

Kevin Connolly, Around The Bend

Fred Eaglesmith, Drive-in Movie

Fred Eaglesmith, 50 Odd Dollars

Fred Eaglesmith, Lipstick, Lies & Gasoline

Ramblin' Jack Elliott, The Long Ride

Andy Scheinman, Make Amends

Lucinda Williams, Lucinda Williams