Underwhich Audiographics / Underwhich Editions

About

Underwhich Audiographics / Underwhich Editions stands as a sculptural gesture in the landscape of experimental sound and literature, active between the years 1978 and 1994. The Toronto-based entity blurred the boundaries between auditory and literary forms, crafting an interdisciplinary space where cassette tapes and magazines converged. With 57 releases under its belt, the label favored the cassette format, a medium that lent itself to the tactile and ephemeral nature of their work. Key figures like Richard Truhlar and Paul Dutton emerged from this liminal space, their projects—such as "Full Throatle" and "Bunker"—embodying the ethos of amplified voice and tape collage. Fugitive Forms and Paul Dolden further contributed to the sonic evolution of the label, their works challenging the listener to engage in process-driven exploration. Underwhich's catalog was punctuated by literary editions like "Underwhich Editions 1991/92", highlighting a commitment to the written word as a complementary dimension to their audio endeavors. This integration of the literary and auditory mirrored the fractal complexity of their artistic vision, where sound and text were treated as co-conspirators in the act of creation. The label's approach was one of release diversity, yet consistently adhered to a core philosophy—sound and literature as materials to be shaped, rather than mere vessels of expression. The roster, including collectives like Tekst and the Four Horsemen, was a testament to this philosophy, each release a node in an expansive network of experimental inquiry.