This study examines three styles of textural music -- phonography, noise, and free improvisation -- music which is based upon the layering of spectrally dense "fabrics" of sound, often improvised and performed live in front of an audience. In particular, I discuss the American Northeast Corridor subcultures and communities that host these scenes by describing some of my own experiences as well as those of important artists who work within these realms of sound. Through these investigations, I demonstrate the importance of these points of view within the larger musical discourse.