It’s been 10 years since music showcase Indie by Design began in San Diego, and much has changed in the music business. Where it was once a rarity for any independent, or non-major-label-affiliated artist to score much success, major inroads have been made today. While indie artists have yet to make it on the scale of Lady Gaga or U2, events like Indie by Design have created more possibilities than ever. The sky’s the limit. Organized by local musicians Danielle Lo Presti and Alicia Champion, the next edition of the mini music festival takes place on Tuesday, Aug. 23 at Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, with music from Mosaic Four, Black Party Politics, Subliminal Trip and other artists to be added. Though many advancements have been made, Champion said the effort to level the artistic playing field continues to be important. “It’s all the more relevant [today],” Champion said. “Indie is no longer a dirty word. Every year, it just becomes more a part of the main stream. I don’t think people even recognize the difference anymore. You look at bands like Arcade Fire or Silver Sun Pickups — they’re all independent, but they’re right up there with Top 40 bands.” She said Indie by Design, like it’s larger, annual sister event, Indie Music Fest, are not created to knock the mainstream or big business, but to advocate more of a balance. “Because the mainstream had such a huge advantage,” Champion said, “we wanted independents to have an equal voice and now we’re really heading that way. We’ve still got a good ways to go, but the progress is definitely very clear to see.” Champion said one of the reasons for the event’s success is in the diversity of music to be found there. “People so rarely listen to just one style of music. People have diverse tastes and we offer that at our events.” While Indie by Design is its own event, organizers also use it to spot talent and team players for the bigger music festival. “It’s become a tool to help us to discover bands for Indie Fest,” Lo Presti said. “As time has gone on, Indie by Design has become a nice adjunct to what we do. It’s a great way for us to try out new bands and see how willing they are to really work on their draw, to really be professional and be inspired when they play, without the risk that is involved when you put a brand new band you’ve never worked with before on a big stage at Indie Fest.” Very few events run more than a few years. Lo Presti attributes the longevity of Indie by Design to great music and having the right venue. “(Manager) Shauna Aguirre, specifically, has allowed us to really have some fun with showcases,” Lo Presti said. “When a venue is really into what you’re doing, it makes all the difference in the world.” Although she said she’s happy to work with anyone, Lo Presti said the emphasis is on what it takes for artists to move from the club stage to the outdoor stages. “We’re looking for those people that go the extra mile, show generosity and flexibility and willingness to sacrifice a little for the whole show to benefit,” Lo Presti said. “Those folks are the one’s that just rise way up in our understanding of them. We want to work with them again, we want to put them on a great stage at Indie Fest. That’s kind of how it works, because it’s so rare to find.” Indie by Design takes place at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 23 at Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Drive. $5. Visit www.humphreysbackstagelive.com