When singer-guitarist Jeremy Earl of the New York-based band Woods began his own record label, he was only releasing albums on cassette tapes. Format was unimportant; Earl’s main objective was to get great new music out to the public.

“It came about from touring and [hearing] really great music and then thinking that people really need to hear these bands,” Earl says from his Warwick, N.Y. office.

Woodsist, founded in 2006, has grown into one of the hippest indie music labels on the scene. The Woodsist Festival on Saturday at the Henry Miller Library will celebrate Earl’s vision with nine bands that have released albums on the indie label, including Woods, Moon Duo, Real Estate, Kurt Vile and The Fresh & Onlys.

Woods – whose album Songs of Shame was rated one of Pitchfork’s top 50 albums of 2009 – have played in Big Sur before; Earl calls it one of his “favorite places on earth.” And you could expect a heartfelt set from the Brooklyn quartet that delves deep into an abyss of face-melting improvisation.

“Improvising has always been a part of our live shows,” Earl says. “We always like to stretch out a little bit more, and that makes it a more enjoyable experience.”

The instrumental tune “From the Horn,” on Woods’ recently released At Echo Lake, rings with tinges of The Byrds’ country-psychedelia. It was born out of an improvised jam session.

“We were trying to find some new grooves and we just happened upon it,” Earl says.

On “Death Rattle,” Earl’s silky falsetto echoes over a pleasant celestial melody and Roger McGuinn-like guitar arpeggios.

While Earl is thrilled to play in Big Sur again, he’s equally elated to see the other music.

“It will be great to see the West Coast bands I put records out for,” he says. “I don’t get to see them play very often.”

THE WOODSIST FESTIVAL happens at 3-11pm Saturday, June 12, at the Henry Miller Library, a quarter mile south of Nepenthe Restaurant on Highway 1, Big Sur. $30 at the door. 667-2574.