The Independent is to follow in The Observer's footsteps by including a supplement focusing on music - particularly 'independent' music, read on - four times a year.

The magazine is a joint venture with The Association of Independent Music (that's AIM), and both parties are full of confidence for the project.

Arts Editor David Lister, who will edit the new magazine, said: "Independent music and The Independent are a natural fit. Our music pages, which recently won a national award, have long taken a keen interest in indie music and championed the best known indie bands at very early stages in their careers. The indie scene now is more eclectic than ever before and this new music magazine will show its wide range, highlight some of the most pressing issues - and give a sneak preview of upcoming albums."

Alison Wenham of AIM said: "In partnership with The Independent, AIM will give unparalleled access to the vibrant, intelligent, sometimes reckless world of the true independent spirit of the music business, and those artists and music companies who choose independence as a way of life and as a business model, many of them with great success, all of them with passion."

First issue's out on February 3rd. Surely it can't be as awful as the OMM, right?