ÒHONEYSUCKLE BOULEVARDÓ by PEOPLE LIKE US & ERGO PHIZMIZ PRESS RELEASE

Self-released 10Ó (Limited Edition 500 numbered copies) 
Available for free from selected record stores/galleries from January 15th to March 31st 2007
 
This is the debut collaborative release by artists People Like Us & Ergo Phizmiz, available for free at selected galleries and independent record stores in the UK, the continent and US.

Both artists operate on the cusp of both experimental and pop culture, creating radio, audio and DVD releases, film and A/V multimedia.  Their work combines an irreverent approach with a probing curiosity that explores crossover points between media.  By appropriating and recontextualising found footage, they craft collage with equal inflections of wit and impending doom.

This record presents a progressive change for both artists involved.  It references their past works, but moves into new territory, resulting in a very collaborative work, much more than the sum of two parts.  The music is fundamentally electronic (but not usually sounding so), with references to 1920Õs ballroom music, 1950Õs easy listening, jazz, cartoon and classical music, seamlessly melding diverse elements into a dynamic, rhythmic patchwork.  They combine appropriation with live instrumentation and vocals, with very open tangential musical structures.  With nonsense lyrics that are equally Brothers Grimm and Edward Lear and accompanying slapstick interjections, the result is in an exciting and humorous work.

Recent works include Ergo PhizmizÕs large-scale piece ÒM: 1000 Year MixÓ funded by the Arts Council of England/Match My Foot Records, and "Wholepole - The Discotheque of Erotic Misery" for BBC Radio 3.  People Like Us recently released the album ÒAll Together NowÓ, and is also Artist in Residence at the BBC Creative Archive.  Both artists are currently collaborating on a full length CD release entitled ÒPerpetuum MobileÓ, to be released in April 2007 on Soleilmoon Recordings.  In addition, both artists broadcast experimental arts shows on the freeform New York radio/internet station WFMU.

This product will be available in the following stores from January 15th to March 31st 2007.

A-Musik (Cologne)
Aquarius (San Francisco)
Bimbo Tower (Paris)
Earwax (Brooklyn)
Le Bonheur (Brussels)
MatŽria Prima (Porto)
Monorail (Glasgow)
Rough Trade, NealÕs Yard (London)
Tate Modern (London)
Worm (Rotterdam)

After this period the record will be withdrawn.

A uniquely labelled voucher (one per person Ð ip addresses are logged) can be requested by emailing vouchers@peoplelikeus.org (NB-now defunkt), and specifying which of the above stores the customer would like to collect from.  This venture is totally non-profit, for artists and retailer, and has been met with great enthusiasm from the host stores.  In fact the demand from additional stores that wish to participate exceeded the amount of records that can be supplied.  This press release is duplicated at www.peoplelikeus.org/honeysuckle.htm - where there is also an online record order form.  

The marketing aspect of this project is partly a humorous self-parody, in that both artists have favoured the internet as their primary means of distribution and now are encouraging people to go into real shops again and ÒbuyÓ their music for free.  This novelty form of distribution combines the tradition of regular shopping with free downloading, stretching the notion of the Ògift economyÓ to its limits.  ÒBelow the radarÓ artists have difficulty with physical distribution of their work because of the poor state of business for non-chart releases combined with saturation of the market.  However, this isnÕt a reflection of a lack of audience interest; People Like UsÕ album ÒAbridged Too FarÓ and Ergo PhizmizÕs ÒWhite Light White HeatÓ have collectively amassed in excess of 50,000 mp3 downloads, so there is no shortage of audience to be testing these theories on.
                                        
www.peoplelikeus.org  www.ergophizmiz.com