V/Vm

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V/Vm
Birth nameLeyland James Kirby
Also known asBilly Ray Cyrix, Butcher Claus, Butcher Claws, The Caretaker, CV[ev], Dr. Fred, The Edgeley Musher, Leyland Kirby, Leon and Hits, MC V/Vm, The Notorious P.I.G., Pole (disputed), The Stranger, V/Vm Allstar Marching Band, V/Vm and the Hog Chorus, V/Vm with Garry's Glitter, Alien Porno Midgets
Born (1974-05-09) 9 May 1974 (age 50)
Origin Stockport, England
Genres
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s)Computer, sampler, turntable
Years active1996–2008, 2016-2017
Labels V/Vm Test Records (1996-2008), History Always Favours The Winners (2016-2017)
Website Official website

V/Vm was an alias of English musician Leyland James Kirby, used for producing experimental music. Although starting out mainly in the style of noise music, most releases under the V/Vm alias were plunderphonics, with some original compositions. Most, but not all, of V/Vm's music was released under the V/Vm Test Records label. Alongside the work of the V/Vm project, Kirby also recorded as The Caretaker. He currently resides in Kraków.

Contents

History

Leyland Kirby began producing music under the V/Vm alias in 1996, mostly under his own label, V/Vm Test Records. Early releases were electronic in nature, including a split 12" release on Fat Cat Records. [1] In 1999, V/Vm released the EP Pig, [2] consisting mostly of the sound of pigs feeding, which some critics mistook as the sound of pigs dying.

In 1998, V/Vm appeared on the cover of The Wire (October 1998, issue 176). [3] Under the banner "Harder! Faster! Louder!". The article explored a developing scene which also included Alec Empire, DJ Speedranch, Diskono, and Fat Cat Records.

The late 1990s saw V/Vm begin to produce music under the genre of plunderphonics, which was released in a manner which ignored copyright. At this time, V/Vm was in conversation with the artists spearheading the bootleg, plunderphonics, and mashup (a.k.a. bastard pop) genres. In 2000, V/Vm's plunderphonics single "The Lady in Red (Is Dancing With Meat)", which sampled Chris de Burgh's "The Lady in Red", achieved Single of the Week in the NME. [4] "The Lady In Red (Is Dancing With Meat)" later appeared on V/Vm's 2000 album Sick-Love . [5]

In 2003, V/Vm received legal threats after he re-released "Relax", the seminal 1983 hit by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. In a reproduction of the original release, a double LP, a 7-inch picture disc, and a CD single were released, each featuring numerous remixes of "Relax." Within weeks of the release, V/Vm received legal threats, causing V/Vm to withdraw the release. [6]

V/Vm Test Records

From 1996 to 2008, Kirby ran the V/Vm Test Records label, which released records from About This Product, Goodiepal, Jansky Noise, and Fast Lady, among many other experimental musicians. The label used to give away free audio [7] via the V/Vm Test Records website. [8] [9]

Later projects

In 2005, V/Vm recorded a remix of the Alphaville song Forever Young , which was going to be used in an advertisement by Sony for the PlayStation. While the advertisement was recorded, it never aired, due to a dispute with TBWA Worldwide.[ citation needed ] Although it never aired, the advertisement was leaked and uploaded to YouTube. [10] [11]

In 2006, V/Vm produced V/Vm 365, which he spent the whole year on. V/Vm described V/Vm 365 as "The idea is basically to create and upload free audio for one whole year and leave a massive big mess behind, warts and all, for you to digest as you see fit." When it was finished, V/Vm 365 contained 603 audio tracks and six video tracks, with a total running time of 52 hours, 3 minutes and 57 seconds. [12] Each day one or more audio pieces were uploaded along with text and a picture for the day.

In 2007, V/Vm received an honorary mention for his work as The Caretaker at the ARS Technica 2007 awards. [13] He was also included in an exhibition in Madrid entitled "Ruidos, Silencios y la Transgresion Mordaz. De Fluxus al techno-noise"; the exhibit featured V/Vm video and artwork by V/Vm, Fluxus artists (Nam June Paik, Philip Corner, Wolf Vostell), and other contemporary artists and musicians (Ultra-red). [14]

In 2008, V/Vm released the album There Was A Fish...In...The Percolator, the last album he would release under the V/Vm Test Records label. [15] Later in 2008, V/Vm Test Records would shut down.[ citation needed ]

Discography

Selected releases

Compilation appearances

Discogs has the most comprehensive release overview of V/Vm Test Records [30] and V/Vm [31]

References

  1. ↑ FatCat Records : Releases Archived 15 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine . Fat-cat.co.uk (1 March 1998). Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  2. ↑ "V/VM - pig - 7" - VVM". Archived from the original on 9 December 2007. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  3. ↑ "The Wire Index : Second Century". Sat.dundee.ac.uk. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  4. ↑ Rocklist.net...NME End Of Year Lists 2000. Rocklistmusic.co.uk (9 May 1992). Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  5. 1 2 "V/Vm - sick love - CD - VVM". Archived from the original on 30 June 2007. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  6. ↑ "[Rumori][Snuggles] Fw: V/Vm :By listening and owning V/Vm you are breaking". Detritus.net. 13 March 2004. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  7. ↑ "V/VM Test Records - Downloads / Free Digital Media". Archived from the original on 20 October 2007. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  8. ↑ "VUKZID - FREE AUDIO DOWNLOADS - Powered by V/Vm Test". Archived from the original on 14 October 2007. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  9. ↑ "V/VM - Microsites". Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  10. ↑ V/vm Playstation Video. YouTube (11 August 2006). Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  11. ↑ "V/VM - playstation2 war ad - Video Download". Archived from the original on 21 October 2007. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  12. 1 2 "V/VM 365 - VVMT365 - VVM". Archived from the original on 28 November 2006. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  13. ↑ "ARS Electronica PRIX". Archived from the original on 3 November 2007. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  14. ↑ "La Casa Encendida". Archived from the original on 20 August 2007. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  15. ↑ https://www.discogs.com/master/87110-VVm-There-Was-A-FishInThe-Percolator
  16. ↑ "V/VM - up-link data transmissions - 12" - VVM". Archived from the original on 10 November 2006. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  17. ↑ "V/Vm / Third Eye Foundation - split series - Fat Cat Records - 12". Archived from the original on 2 June 2008. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  18. ↑ "V/VM - machine - 7" - VVM". Archived from the original on 8 March 2007. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  19. ↑ "V/VM - pig - 7" - VVM". Archived from the original on 10 November 2006. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  20. ↑ "VARIOUS - auraloffalwaffle - 2CD - VVM". Archived from the original on 10 November 2006. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  21. ↑ "V/VM - the lady in red / all night long - 7" - VVM". Archived from the original on 10 November 2006. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  22. ↑ "V/VM - masters of the absurd - 12" - VVM". Archived from the original on 7 July 2007. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  23. ↑ "V/VM - snooker loopy - 7" - VVM". Archived from the original on 30 June 2007. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  24. ↑ [ dead link ]
  25. ↑ "V/VM / DIMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH - the missing symphony - CD - VVM". Archived from the original on 10 November 2006. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  26. ↑ "V/VM - stigma - CD - VVM". Archived from the original on 10 November 2006. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  27. ↑ "V/VM - sabam (belgian new-beat) - CD - VVM". Archived from the original on 10 November 2006. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  28. ↑ "White Death | V/Vm". Vvmtest.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 23 December 2015.
  29. ↑ "VUKZID01 - V/VM - the death of rave (the source)". Archived from the original on 26 October 2007. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  30. ↑ V/Vm Test Records – CDs and Vinyl at Discogs. Discogs.com. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
  31. ↑ V/Vm Discography at Discogs. Discogs.com (9 August 2008). Retrieved 5 August 2011.
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