[1] The philosophy that defined the Beechfields was developed by Michael Nestor, at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in 2000, and the label was officially started in Baltimore in 2003, while Nestor was at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

[2] The Beechfields was designed as a reaction to the suppression of underground music by both major and independent labels.

"[5] Nestor has given a number of lectures and symposia on starting an artist-centered approach to releasing records.

"[7] The label was largely active from 2003 to 2011, and had a substantial impact on the Baltimore indie music scene in the early to mid 2000s through a large catalog of releases from bands like Among Wolves, the Jennifers, Small Sur, Private Eleanor and the Seldon Plan.

However, most of the releases by the label kept a strong Baltimore-centered identity, supporting that music scene.