Audio Archives: 15 Years of Carhartt WIP Radio

Carhartt WIP Radio launched in 2008, as radio was slowly transitioning from traditional FM to the digital sphere. The premise of the show was simple: an artist or label playing their own music, accompanied by an interview. Its format has endured, with contributors spanning Europe, North and South America, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

Audio Archives was built from the same desire to foster connections through music. For the first time, the project unites 17 independent radio stations from around the world under a single collaborative initiative, amplifying local voices on a global scale. From stations founded in 1969 to those launched post-pandemic, each is unique, yet together they represent an emerging culture that has reshaped our understanding of modern broadcasting.

In the publication, also titled Audio Archives, the community stations feature across a series of interviews in which they each recount their journeys, while reflecting on the current state of independent radio. The book spans over 1,200 pages and includes a comprehensive archive of Carhartt WIP Radio features since 2008, alongside a curated selection of poster artworks. It is accompanied by a 7-inch Flexi-disk featuring a compilation of station soundbites, as well as Carhartt WIP Radio introductions, voiceovers and custom idents.

The capsule, meanwhile, includes two graphic print long-sleeve t-shirts, a hooded sweatshirt, and a record bag. A limited-edition teenage engineering OB-4 Magic Radio completes the collection.

Audio Archives launches globally on February 26th at Carhartt WIP stores as well as our online shop.