Studio 12

About

Studio 12 was an independent record label active in the early 1980s, primarily focused on experimental and underground music. The label's catalog from 1982 reveals a commitment to cassette-based releases, a format that allowed for affordable distribution within the avant-garde and industrial music communities. Studio 12's output during this period included diverse projects such as "A Thousand Faces," a sampler showcasing multiple artists, alongside conceptually driven releases bearing color-coded or thematic titles like "Black," "Blue," and "Red." Notable releases include "Muzak For Critics," "Dirt & Junkride," and "Six Elements Until Zero," suggesting the label favored provocative, genre-defying work that challenged mainstream musical conventions. The label also produced promotional materials in magazine format, indicating an engagement with music journalism and critical discourse. While detailed documentation about the label's founding location and founding members remains limited, Studio 12's concentrated output in 1982 positions it within the broader DIY ethos of early 1980s experimental music production, where cassette tapes served as the primary medium for underground distribution and artistic expression.