I'm the artist known as People Like Us, and since 1991 have been making audio-visual collage, opening up endless opportunities to experience results that are more than the sum of the parts. I've released dozens of albums, toured a number of live audiovisual performances, make 360 immersive cinema, radio (on WFMU) and in general, have devoted my life to doing this. My collaborators include Ergo Phizmiz, Matmos, Porest, Irene Moon, Negativland, The The, Wobbly, Felix Kubin, Gwilly Edmondez, JG Thirlwell, Hearty White and Mr Let's Paint.
My most recent world AV performance and album of the same name The Mirror toured 45 cities over the space of a few years and reached No. 8 in The Wire Magazine's Albums Of The Year. I made that work 4 years ago and want to make some more!
The past year was a challenge financially in terms of raising the money, I have spent a LOT of time applying for funding. Normally I wouldn't be here saying this, I'd be making work, but arts funding in the UK is SO messed up right now.
Once I make this I can get bookings all over the world (including a town near you!) and it sustains my income for at least a couple of years. I have a booking for the premiere in October 2023 in an Artist Residency at a lovely venue that will come as no surprise to those of you who know me, but I have no money lined up to create the work this year! So am creating this fundraiser for the first time ever, asking you directly. Will you help me create this new work? It's following similar processes and methods as before, and a whole new subject - about what is REAL - it's going to be called IS THIS THE REAL LIFE?
I need around £2000 per month to do this - this is for paying bills/rent, process related purchases, etc. I'll be working with a few collaborators along the way (think Matmos, Ergo Phizmiz, Gwilly Edmondez, Wobbly, Hearty White and Buttress O'Kneel too!). Based upon past live performances, it takes 10 months to start and finish the audiovisual part which is then ready for touring, and then I develop that audio further into an album, get it mastered, make my own artwork and manufacture the CDs, then it comes out also as a digital download, and on sometimes on vinyl. Recently, Ergo and I have recently been experimenting with having hand-made lathe-cut vinyl pressed, and it sounds (and looks) AMAZING. So I want to add this to the perks, for those who are interested in a cut-on-demand edition.
As Perks, I'm offering you podcast progress reports, a pre-release digital download of the album, a CD (signed), lathe cut vinyl 7 inch and LP of the new album, an exclusive lathe cut LP of your choice from my back catalogue, 1 guest list place to the premiere of the performance in London (alongside a star-studded cast at a special People Like Us curated artist residency) or any other gig that follows in the world (expires end of 2024), a t-shirt, our full digital discography with a keyring/bookmark, an invite to an online stream of the performance, an original piece of the Mind Maps that I use to create the work, and a one-off exclusive paper collage made especially for this - yes, not a print, a hand made collage.
Newly added: more t-shirt colours and cuts, and a PLU tote bag :)
If I do not make my goal I will do whatever I can afford to do in the above, prioritising making the work, and releasing an album in whatever form(s) is possible with the funding.
I don't like to blow my own trumpet because I don't have a trumpet and I prefer to sample other people's trumpets but I know I've affected many of you in a good way and blown a lot of minds (rather than trumpets) too with my audiovisual work. You know how to get a lot of my stuff for free, which is what I've actively encouraged, Access For All, For Ever. However, I am certainly not independently wealthy, I live in London and I don't have any job other than this.
You also know that I have a huge list of things that I have completed once I set out, and well... it's all the better if I get to spend the amount of time and immersion period needed to get something amazing out from the world of dreams. Gone, Gone Beyond is a very good example of what I can do if someone funds me because then I can IMMERSE.
This is the bit where I get told by Indiegogo to "Make it real for people and build trust." Quite frankly, you know you can trust me, this whole project is about what is ultimately real, I'm not sure about making it real, but in other ways, I'm definitely showing what's real. I mean really, yes. I'm authentic. This IS the real life.
Making an album and making a new performance are always different, but I've done quite a few now. I know the process, and know how long it will take to do, although because I'm process led I never know the product in advance, that makes it really exciting, and there is never an endpoint because I'm constantly referencing new and different things as well as reflecting what I have before now, lots of what I use pops up again in later works like an old friend/collaborator.
Basically, I *am* going to make this thing, and it's really a HUGE obstacle right now that I am not getting financial support to do it, the lack of money will impact my ability to concentrate, that's for sure. It's an exciting prospect to have the real privilege to make new work, and sharing it with you and I love touring and releasing albums. And it's certainly about time I did another.
Some people just can't contribute, but that doesn't mean they can't help:
If you can't contribute, could you let people know that I'm doing this fundraiser? And if you can't afford to pay for things I understand, haha! And I'll always share what I can, just go over to my website and UbuWeb and listen to most of my work for free. Just remember that I did have to somehow get paid by someone or another to make it though :)
