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V/Vm#V/Vm Test Records

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{{Outdated as of|date=September 2024|topic=Info related to The Caretaker needs to be moved to his article, and the article doesn't discuss any of V/Vm's work that was released after 2008.}}

{{COI|date=September 2024}}

{{BLP primary sources|date=October 2007}}

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{{Use British English|date=August 2011}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}

{{Infobox musical artist

|name = V/Vm

|image =

|caption =

|image_size =

|background = non_vocal_instrumentalist

|birth_name = Leyland James Kirby

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|05|09|df=y}}

|birth_place =

|origin = Stockport, England

|instrument = Computer, sampler, turntable

|genre = {{Hlist|Experimental music|noise music|sound collage|plunderphonics|new beat (later)}}

|occupation = Musician

|years_active = 1996–2008, 2016-2017

|label = V/Vm Test Records (1996-2008), History Always Favours The Winners (2016-2017)

|website = [http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm 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.

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.[http://fat-cat.co.uk/fatcat/release.php?id=6 FatCat Records : Releases] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071115033723/http://fat-cat.co.uk/fatcat/release.php?id=6 |date=15 November 2007 }}. Fat-cat.co.uk (1 March 1998). Retrieved 5 August 2011. In 1999, V/Vm released the EP Pig,{{cite web|url=http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmpig.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071209214639/http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmpig.htm |archive-date=2007-12-09 |title=V/VM - pig - 7" - VVM |access-date=2020-05-19}} 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).{{cite web|url=http://www.sat.dundee.ac.uk/bin/wire?q=v%2Fvm&c=t |title=The Wire Index : Second Century |website=Sat.dundee.ac.uk |access-date=2015-12-23}} 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.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20060629131425/http://rocklistmusic.co.uk/2000.html#NME%20Singles%20of%20the%20week Rocklist.net...NME End Of Year Lists 2000]}}. Rocklistmusic.co.uk (9 May 1992). Retrieved 5 August 2011. "The Lady In Red (Is Dancing With Meat)" later appeared on V/Vm's 2000 album Sick-Love.{{cite web|url=http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/offal03b.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630135337/http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/offal03b.htm |archive-date=2007-06-30 |title=V/Vm - sick love - CD - VVM |access-date=2020-05-19}}

In 2003, V/Vm 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.{{cite web|url=http://detritus.net/pipermail/rumori/2004-March/001120.html |title=[Rumori] [Snuggles] Fw: V/Vm :By listening and owning V/Vm you are breaking |website=Detritus.net |date=2004-03-13 |access-date=2020-05-19}}

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{{cite web|url=http://brainwashed.com/vvm/downloads.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020035814/http://brainwashed.com/vvm/downloads.htm |archive-date=2007-10-20 |title=V/VM Test Records - Downloads / Free Digital Media |access-date=2020-05-19}} via the V/Vm Test Records website.{{cite web|url=http://brainwashed.com/vvm/micro/vukzid/about.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014063738/http://brainwashed.com/vvm/micro/vukzid/about.htm |archive-date=2007-10-14 |title=VUKZID - FREE AUDIO DOWNLOADS - Powered by V/Vm Test |access-date=2020-05-19}} {{cite web|url=http://brainwashed.com/vvm/micro/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012113714/http://brainwashed.com/vvm/micro/index.html |archive-date=2007-10-12 |title=V/VM - Microsites |access-date=2020-05-19}}

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|date=September 2024}} Although it never aired, the advertisement was leaked and uploaded to YouTube.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyuvhcvVxD8 V/vm Playstation Video]. YouTube (11 August 2006). Retrieved 5 August 2011.{{cite web|url=http://brainwashed.com/vvm/news/downloads/20051202_vvm_ps2.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021174327/http://brainwashed.com/vvm/news/downloads/20051202_vvm_ps2.htm |archive-date=2007-10-21 |title=V/VM - playstation2 war ad - Video Download |access-date=2020-05-19}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://brainwashed.com/vvm/micro/vvmt365/index.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061128052115/http://brainwashed.com/vvm/micro/vvmt365/index.htm |archive-date=2006-11-28 |title=V/VM 365 - VVMT365 - VVM |access-date=2020-05-19}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.aec.at/en/prix/winners_honorary.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103041925/http://www.aec.at/en/prix/winners_honorary.asp |archive-date=2007-11-03 |title=ARS Electronica PRIX |access-date=2020-05-19}} 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).{{cite web|url=http://www.lacasaencendida.es/LCE/lceCruce/0,0,73537_0_73537_7466%24P1%3D16,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070820040924/http://www.lacasaencendida.es/LCE/lceCruce/0,0,73537_0_73537_7466%24P1%3D16,00.html |archive-date=2007-08-20 |title=La Casa Encendida |access-date=2020-05-19}}

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.https://www.discogs.com/master/87110-VVm-There-Was-A-FishInThe-Percolator Later in 2008, V/Vm Test Records would shut down.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

Discography

=Selected releases=

  • Uplink Data Transmissions – V/Vm Test (1996){{cite web|url=http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmt01b.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061110053049/http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmt01b.htm |archive-date=2006-11-10 |title=V/VM - up-link data transmissions - 12" - VVM |access-date=2020-05-19}}
  • Fat Cat Split 12-inch – Fat Cat Records (1997){{cite web|url=http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmother/fatcat_split_12_vvm.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080602125008/http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmother/fatcat_split_12_vvm.html |archive-date=2008-06-02 |title=V/Vm / Third Eye Foundation - split series - Fat Cat Records - 12 |access-date=2020-05-19}}
  • Machines – V/Vm Test (1999){{cite web|url=http://brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmt07b.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070308185315/http://brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmt07b.htm |archive-date=2007-03-08 |title=V/VM - machine - 7" - VVM |access-date=2020-05-19}}
  • Pig – V/Vm Test (1999){{cite web|url=http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmpig.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061110040451/http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmpig.htm |archive-date=2006-11-10 |title=V/VM - pig - 7" - VVM |access-date=2020-05-19}}
  • Auraloffalwaffle – V/Vm Test (1999){{cite web|url=http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/offal01b.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061110052950/http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/offal01b.htm |archive-date=2006-11-10 |title=VARIOUS - auraloffalwaffle - 2CD - VVM |access-date=2020-05-19}}
  • Lady in Red/All Night Long – V/Vm Test (2000){{cite web|url=http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/butcher01b.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061110053027/http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/butcher01b.htm |archive-date=2006-11-10 |title=V/VM - the lady in red / all night long - 7" - VVM |access-date=2020-05-19}}
  • Sick Love – V/Vm Test (2000)
  • Masters of the Absurd – V/Vm Test (2000){{cite web|url=http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmtpb_b.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070707000801/http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmtpb_b.htm |archive-date=2007-07-07 |title=V/VM - masters of the absurd - 12" - VVM |access-date=2020-05-19}}
  • Snooker Loopy – V/Vm Test (2001){{cite web|url=http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmt147b.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630135544/http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmt147b.htm |archive-date=2007-06-30 |title=V/VM - snooker loopy - 7" - VVM |access-date=2020-05-19}}
  • Helpaphextwin – V/Vm Test (2003)[http://brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/hat04b.htm]{{dead link|date=August 2011}}
  • The Missing Symphony – V/Vm Test (2003){{cite web|url=http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmtcd10b.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061110053242/http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmtcd10b.htm |archive-date=2006-11-10 |title=V/VM / DIMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH - the missing symphony - CD - VVM |access-date=2020-05-19}}
  • Stigma – V/Vm Test (2004){{cite web|url=http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmtcd21b.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061110053018/http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmtcd21b.htm |archive-date=2006-11-10 |title=V/VM - stigma - CD - VVM |access-date=2020-05-19}}
  • Sabam – The Sound of Belgium '89 – V/Vm Test (2006){{cite web|url=http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmtcd89b.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061110052218/http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmtcd89b.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2006-11-10 |title=V/VM - sabam (belgian new-beat) - CD - VVM |access-date=2020-05-19}}
  • White Death – V/Vm Test (2006){{cite web|url=http://vvmtest.bandcamp.com/album/white-death |title=White Death | V/Vm |website=Vvmtest.bandcamp.com |access-date=2015-12-23}}
  • Vvmt365 – Daily Audio Downloads – V/Vm Test (2006)
  • The Death of Rave – V/Vm Test (2006){{cite web|url=http://brainwashed.com/vvm/micro/vukzid/vukzid01.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026031251/http://brainwashed.com/vvm/micro/vukzid/vukzid01.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-10-26 |title=VUKZID01 - V/VM - the death of rave (the source) |access-date=2020-05-19}}

=Compilation appearances=

  • "Cha-ha Meat Skran-r The 15lb. Turkey" on Brain in the Wire
  • "Engulfer" on Brainwaves (2006)
  • "Female Pig Herder" on Split Series 1–8

Discogs has the most comprehensive release overview of V/Vm Test Records[http://www.discogs.com/label/V%2FVm+Test+Records V/Vm Test Records – CDs and Vinyl at Discogs]. Discogs.com. Retrieved 5 August 2011. and V/Vm[http://www.discogs.com/artist/V%2FVm V/Vm Discography at Discogs]. Discogs.com (9 August 2008). Retrieved 5 August 2011.

References

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

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Category:British noise musicians

Category:English experimental musicians

Category:Musicians from Manchester

Category:Music in the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport

Category:Musicians from Stockport

Category:Living people

Category:1974 births

Category:Sound collage artists