# V/Vm

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**V/Vm** was an alias of English musician **Leyland James Kirby**, used for producing [experimental music](/source/Experimental_music). Although starting out mainly in the style of [noise music](/source/Noise_music), most releases under the V/Vm alias were [plunderphonics](/source/Plunderphonics), with some original compositions. Most, but not all, of V/Vm's music was released under the [V/Vm Test Records](/source/V/Vm_Test_Records) label. Alongside the work of the V/Vm project, Kirby also recorded as [The Caretaker](/source/The_Caretaker_(musician)). He currently resides in [Kraków](/source/Krak%C3%B3w).

## 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](/source/Extended_play) *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](/source/The_Wire_(magazine))* (October 1998, issue 176)[3] under the banner "Harder! Faster! Louder!". The article explored a developing scene which also included [Alec Empire](/source/Alec_Empire), DJ Speedranch, [Diskono](/source/Diskono), and Fat Cat Records.

The late 1990s saw V/Vm begin to produce music under the genre of [plunderphonics](/source/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](/source/Mashup_(music)) (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](/source/Chris_de_Burgh)'s "[The Lady in Red](/source/The_Lady_in_Red_(Chris_de_Burgh_song))", 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](/source/Sick-Love_(album))*.[5]

In 2003, V/Vm re-released "[Relax](/source/Relax_(Frankie_Goes_to_Hollywood_song))", the seminal 1983 hit by [Frankie Goes to Hollywood](/source/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](/source/V/Vm_Test_Records) label, which released records from About This Product, [Goodiepal](/source/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](/source/Alphaville_(band)) song *[Forever Young](/source/Forever_Young_(Alphaville_song))*, which was going to be used in an advertisement by [Sony](/source/Sony) for the [PlayStation](/source/PlayStation). While the advertisement was recorded, it never aired, due to a dispute with [TBWA Worldwide](/source/TBWA_Worldwide).[citation needed] Although it never aired, the advertisement was leaked and uploaded to [YouTube](/source/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]

In 2007, V/Vm received an honorary mention for his work as [The Caretaker](/source/The_Caretaker_(musician)) at the ARS Technica 2007 awards.[13] He was also included in an exhibition in [Madrid](/source/Madrid) entitled "Ruidos, Silencios y la Transgresion Mordaz. De [Fluxus](/source/Fluxus) al techno-noise"; the exhibit featured V/Vm video and artwork by V/Vm, Fluxus artists ([Nam June Paik](/source/Nam_June_Paik), [Philip Corner](/source/Philip_Corner), [Wolf Vostell](/source/Wolf_Vostell)), and other contemporary artists and musicians ([Ultra-red](/source/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. Later in 2008, V/Vm Test Records would shut down.[citation needed]

## Discography

### Selected releases

- *Uplink Data Transmissions* – V/Vm Test (1996)[15]
- *Fat Cat Split 12-inch* – [Fat Cat Records](/source/Fat_Cat_Records) (1997)[16]
- *Machines* – V/Vm Test (1999)[17]
- *Pig* – V/Vm Test (1999)[18]
- *Auraloffalwaffle* – V/Vm Test (1999)[19]
- *Lady in Red/All Night Long* – V/Vm Test (2000)[20]
- *[Sick Love](/source/Sick_Love_(album))* – V/Vm Test (2000)[5]
- *Masters of the Absurd* – V/Vm Test (2000)[21]
- *Snooker Loopy* – V/Vm Test (2001)[22]
- *Helpaphextwin* – V/Vm Test (2003)[23]
- *The Missing Symphony* – V/Vm Test (2003)[24]
- *Stigma* – V/Vm Test (2004)[25]
- *Sabam – The Sound of Belgium '89* – V/Vm Test (2006)[26]
- *White Death* – V/Vm Test (2006)[27]
- *Vvmt365 – Daily Audio Downloads* – V/Vm Test (2006)[12]
- *The Death of Rave* – V/Vm Test (2006)[28]

### Revival releases under the vanity label V/Vm Test Records

- *Between Nothingness & Eternity* (under the alias Mrs VVMills) – History Always Favours The Winners (2016)
- *The Christmess Stocking* – History Always Favours The Winners (late 2016)

### Compilation appearances

- "Cha-ha Meat Skran-r The 15lb. Turkey" on *[Brain in the Wire](/source/Brain_in_the_Wire)*
- "Engulfer" on *[Brainwaves](/source/Brainwaves_(compilation))* (2006)
- "Female Pig Herder" on *Split Series 1–8*
- "She Chokes Her Dying Breath and Does It in My Face" on *[Chicken Switch](/source/Chicken_Switch)*

## References

1. [FatCat Records : Releases](http://fat-cat.co.uk/fatcat/release.php?id=6) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071115033723/http://fat-cat.co.uk/fatcat/release.php?id=6) 15 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Fat-cat.co.uk (1 March 1998). Retrieved 5 August 2011.

1. ["V/VM - pig - 7" - VVM"](http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmpig.htm). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071209214639/http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmpig.htm) 2007-12-09 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-05-19.

1. ["The Wire Index : Second Century"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110726180824/http://www.sat.dundee.ac.uk/bin/wire?q=v%2Fvm&c=t). *Sat.dundee.ac.uk*. Archived from [the original](http://www.sat.dundee.ac.uk/bin/wire?q=v%2Fvm&c=t) on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 2015-12-23.

1. [Rocklist.net...NME End Of Year Lists 2000](https://web.archive.org/web/20060629131425/http://rocklistmusic.co.uk/2000.html#NME%20Singles%20of%20the%20week). Rocklistmusic.co.uk (9 May 1992). Retrieved 5 August 2011.

1. ["V/Vm - sick love - CD - VVM"](http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/offal03b.htm). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070630135337/http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/offal03b.htm) 2007-06-30 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-05-19.

1. ["\[Rumori\] \[Snuggles\] Fw: V/Vm :By listening and owning V/Vm you are breaking"](http://detritus.net/pipermail/rumori/2004-March/001120.html). *Detritus.net*. 2004-03-13. Retrieved 2020-05-19.

1. ["V/VM Test Records - Downloads / Free Digital Media"](http://brainwashed.com/vvm/downloads.htm). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071020035814/http://brainwashed.com/vvm/downloads.htm) 2007-10-20 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-05-19.

1. ["VUKZID - FREE AUDIO DOWNLOADS - Powered by V/Vm Test"](http://brainwashed.com/vvm/micro/vukzid/about.htm). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071014063738/http://brainwashed.com/vvm/micro/vukzid/about.htm) 2007-10-14 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-05-19.

1. ["V/VM - Microsites"](http://brainwashed.com/vvm/micro/index.html). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071012113714/http://brainwashed.com/vvm/micro/index.html) 2007-10-12 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-05-19.

1. [V/vm Playstation Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyuvhcvVxD8). YouTube (11 August 2006). Retrieved 5 August 2011.

1. ["V/VM - playstation2 war ad - Video Download"](http://brainwashed.com/vvm/news/downloads/20051202_vvm_ps2.htm). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071021174327/http://brainwashed.com/vvm/news/downloads/20051202_vvm_ps2.htm) 2007-10-21 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-05-19.

1. ["V/VM 365 - VVMT365 - VVM"](http://brainwashed.com/vvm/micro/vvmt365/index.htm). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20061128052115/http://brainwashed.com/vvm/micro/vvmt365/index.htm) 2006-11-28 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-05-19.

1. ["ARS Electronica PRIX"](http://www.aec.at/en/prix/winners_honorary.asp). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20071103041925/http://www.aec.at/en/prix/winners_honorary.asp) 2007-11-03 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-05-19.

1. ["La Casa Encendida"](http://www.lacasaencendida.es/LCE/lceCruce/0,0,73537_0_73537_7466%24P1%3D16,00.html). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070820040924/http://www.lacasaencendida.es/LCE/lceCruce/0,0,73537_0_73537_7466%24P1%3D16,00.html) 2007-08-20 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-05-19.

1. ["V/VM - up-link data transmissions - 12" - VVM"](http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmt01b.htm). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20061110053049/http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmt01b.htm) 2006-11-10 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-05-19.

1. ["V/Vm / Third Eye Foundation - split series - Fat Cat Records - 12"](http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmother/fatcat_split_12_vvm.html). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080602125008/http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmother/fatcat_split_12_vvm.html) 2008-06-02 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-05-19.

1. ["V/VM - machine - 7" - VVM"](http://brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmt07b.htm). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070308185315/http://brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmt07b.htm) 2007-03-08 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-05-19.

1. ["V/VM - pig - 7" - VVM"](http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmpig.htm). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20061110040451/http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmpig.htm) 2006-11-10 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-05-19.

1. ["VARIOUS - auraloffalwaffle - 2CD - VVM"](http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/offal01b.htm). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20061110052950/http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/offal01b.htm) 2006-11-10 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-05-19.

1. ["V/VM - the lady in red / all night long - 7" - VVM"](http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/butcher01b.htm). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20061110053027/http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/butcher01b.htm) 2006-11-10 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-05-19.

1. ["V/VM - masters of the absurd - 12" - VVM"](http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmtpb_b.htm). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070707000801/http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmtpb_b.htm) 2007-07-07 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-05-19.

1. ["V/VM - snooker loopy - 7" - VVM"](http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmt147b.htm). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070630135544/http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmt147b.htm) 2007-06-30 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-05-19.

1. [\[1\]](http://brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/hat04b.htm)[dead link]

1. ["V/VM / DIMITRI SHOSTAKOVICH - the missing symphony - CD - VVM"](http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmtcd10b.htm). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20061110053242/http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmtcd10b.htm) 2006-11-10 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-05-19.

1. ["V/VM - stigma - CD - VVM"](http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmtcd21b.htm). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20061110053018/http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmtcd21b.htm) 2006-11-10 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-05-19.

1. ["V/VM - sabam (belgian new-beat) - CD - VVM"](https://web.archive.org/web/20061110052218/http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmtcd89b.htm). Archived from [the original](http://www.brainwashed.com/vvm/releases/vvmtest/vvmtcd89b.htm) on 2006-11-10. Retrieved 2020-05-19.

1. ["White Death | V/Vm"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140222024104/http://vvmtest.bandcamp.com/album/white-death). *Vvmtest.bandcamp.com*. Archived from [the original](http://vvmtest.bandcamp.com/album/white-death) on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 2015-12-23.

1. ["VUKZID01 - V/VM - the death of rave (the source)"](https://web.archive.org/web/20071026031251/http://brainwashed.com/vvm/micro/vukzid/vukzid01.htm). Archived from [the original](http://brainwashed.com/vvm/micro/vukzid/vukzid01.htm) on 2007-10-26. Retrieved 2020-05-19.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [V/Vm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%2FVm) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V%2FVm?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.