Label
Independent Project
Independent Project is an experimental music label based in Bishop, California, known for its unique letterpress album covers and interdisciplinary art.
About
In the arid landscapes of Bishop, California, Independent Project emerged as a fertile ground for the interdisciplinary fusion of sound and visual art. Founded in 1980 by Bruce Licher, this label was more than a repository of sonic experimentation. It was a sculptural endeavor, where each release was an artifact — a confluence of sight and sound. Licher's vision manifested through the tactile allure of letterpress covers, first introduced in 1982, transforming each album into a process-driven exploration of form. Savage Republic stands out as the label's fractal centerpiece, their six releases a sonic architecture of post-punk and industrial noise. Tragic Figures (1984, 1988) and Ceremonial (1986) echo through the catalog like desert monoliths, each groove etched with raw, exploratory energy. This was music not just heard but felt — a liminal experience, where the physical and auditory met in a shared topography. The catalog spans 18 releases, predominantly on vinyl, with select forays into cassette and even the ephemeral medium of the postcard. For Against's Echelons (1987) and the haunting Deception Bay (1988) exhibit the label's commitment to diverse auditory landscapes, while Camper Van Beethoven's contribution carves out a space for eclectic experimentation within the archive. Independent Project was not simply a label but a network — a collaborative matrix linking artists like Kommunity FK, Abecedarians, and Fourwycross. Each release is a testament to Licher's curatorial prowess, a commitment to the liminal spaces where genre dissolves into pure artistic expression. The label remains a touchstone for collectors and listeners who seek music that transcends conventional boundaries.
