Erstwhile was founded in 1999 to document compelling and under recognized musicians. After initial releases featuring the likes of Loren MazzaCane Connors and Simon H. Fell, the focus gravitated toward electroacoustic improv collaborations, releasing works by Thomas Lehn, Keith Rowe, Phil Durrant, Burkhard Stangl, Günter Müller and others.
Founder Jon Abbey wrote in Wire: Erstwhile is interested in releasing works of lasting and exceptional quality which will transcend the overwhelming supply of new music facing consumers. Erstwhile seeks the middle ground between improvisation and composition, trained and self-taught, acoustic and electronic, organization and abstraction. Erstwhile's main objective is to provoke and revive the weary ears of the jaded listener with unique and constantly evolving soundworlds.