Pressing Matters

Jennifer McCormick Director Helium London 020 7242 5311 [email protected]

Register to bid at www.heliumlondon.com

First Edition, 2021 Published by Pavement Licker Design & artwork by: James-Lee Duffy Words & editing by: Josh Jones Main photography by: Dan Wilton B/W photography by: Tom Medwell

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PRESENT

CURATED BY A simple concept: Ask musicians, labels and managers to donate vinyl, test pressings and acetates of their records. Then give them to contemporary artists to use as a blank canvas, auction them and give all the money raised to Music Support.

*Test pressings and acetates are described as such in this book

Alex May Hughes Sonic Youth Barry Reigate Yungblud Cold War Steve Sleaford Mods David Shrigley Chic Fred Coppin Sam Fender Gavin Turk The Rolling Stones Grace Neutral Charli XCX Ian Bruce Róisín Murphy James Joyce Fatboy Slim Jamie Reid Slowthai Jean Jullien Idles Jeremy Deller James Blake Jess Wilson Robbie Williams John Isaacs James Lavelle Joy Yamusangie Underworld Larry Achiampong Michael Kiwanuka Lucy Pass Kano Marcus James Skunk Anansie Neale Howells Manic Street Preachers Nettie Wakefield Kim Gordon Patrick Morales-Lee The Horrors Paul Insect Arctic Monkeys Penny Blink 182 Pure Evil Pet Shop Boys Ralph Steadman The Who Remi Rough Depeche Mode Sarah Maple Frank Turner Seana Gavin LCD Soundsystem Shepard Fairey The Clash Thomas J Price The Prodigy Vhils Tricky Will Martyr Coldplay Zoltar Bicep It’s well documented that I’m a huge fan of The Clash, so when the Pavement Licker guys offered me the opportunity to create an art piece on a rare, signed London Calling vinyl for the Pressing Matters exhibition, it was a no brainer for me. The fact it was donated by Topper Headon makes it even more special. Music Support do a fantastic job supporting folks in the music industry with mental health and addiction issues who might otherwise not know where to turn for help, so I’m glad to be involved in a great show that will continue their good work. We all have struggles in life but with the right support, as Joe Strummer said, “the future is unwritten”. Shepard Fairey Really buzzing to be a part of this project and amongst some of these legendary artists! It was proper difficult parting with the first test pressing of ‘Weird’ but what Barry Reigate has done with it blows my fucking mind!!! Everyone has been affected by the state of the world these last 12 months so to know it’s all going to a good cause makes me so happy. Can’t wait for the exhibition — it’s gonna be wild!! Yungblud

Artist

Musician Alex May Hughes

Sonic Youth She Is Not Alone

Brentford’s finest, Alex May Hughes is one of the UK’s most in demand sign writers. Using gold leaf, paint, brass and other exotic materials, she’s created this incredible sculpture using the test pressing of Sonic Youth’s live album ‘Battery Park’.

Vinyl, glass, 23ct gold leaf, enamel paint, oak and brass Barry Reigate

Yungblud Untitled (fuck you punk)

We figured Barry Reigate and Yungblud would have a similar outlook. When we saw this fantastic piece we knew we were right. Then Barry told us, “I make these drawings as a way to immediately get stuff out of my head. They’re about expenditure and energy, using time to be creative. In a way, these drawings are my way of making sense or finding a way to deal with the chaotic cartoon world that we live in right now.” And we knew we were even more right.

Ink, watercolour, pencil & gouache on papier-mâché Cold War Steve

Sleaford Mods Untitled

This is a collaboration between two gloriously outspoken social and political commentators. Cold War Steve’s piece on the test pressing of Sleaford Mods’ 2021 album ‘Spare Ribs’ takes influences (literally) from Cabaret Voltaire, John Steinbeck, Sun Ra, Action Man and Russian Revolutionaries.

Digital collage David Shrigley

Chic Eyes

Well this is a heavy hitter isn’t it? The global musical force that is Nile Rodgers donated the test pressing of ‘Chic’ by Chic and we gave it to the incredible, Turner Prize nominated artist David Shrigley to do what he does best on it. This one needs the record in the sleeve to make it complete. It’s watching you.

Acrylic Fred Coppin

Sam Fender High Time

By painting the blank, white album cover that contained the test pressings of Sam Fender’s number 1 album ‘Hypersonic Missiles’, and then doing a different painting on the centre label of each side of the inner sleeves, Fred has cleverly created a piece of art that can changed up four times, and be tailored to your mood. Fred’s nice like that.

Oil Gavin Turk

The Rolling Stones On The Record

We thought we’d let the responsibility of what to do with the test pressing of The Rolling Stones’ album, ‘Honk’ fall on the broad shoulders of Gavin Turk. It turns out that what he created perfectly matches the title of a track on the record: the one that’s called ‘Love Is Strong’.

Print on slipmat Grace Neutral

Charli XCX Cosmic Web

Generously donated by Charli XCX herself, the test pressing of her album ‘Charli’ is all about collaboration with strong, independent women. So who better to paint the sleeves and vinyl with their trademark mandalas than world famous tattoo artist, TV show presenter and successful entrepreneur, Grace Neutral?

Pen and ink Ian Bruce

Róisín Murphy Incapable of Love

After the recent and untimely death of his musical partner, Tim Cole aka ‘Chucks’ from his band The Correspondents, fine artist Ian Bruce has been raising money and awareness for Music Support, including this brilliant piece painted on the test pressing of Róisín Murphy’s single, ‘Incapable’. He said this piece represents the antithesis of social distancing, inspired by all the sass and licentiousness in her album ‘Róisín Machine’ that the single comes from.

Acrylic and oil James Joyce

Fatboy Slim Untitled

Fatboy Slim loves a smiley face. When he donated a very rare acetate of Gutter/Stars, cut especially for his Glastonbury performance, we were delighted king artist and designer James Joyce was up for painting it. His recreation of the iconic acid house symbol shot to fame, you may remember, as a lead image of the infamous Dismaland exhibition.

Acrylic J a m i e R e i d

Slowthai Fear Is The Key

When Slowthai and his management donated the test pressing of his blistering debut album, ‘Nothing Great About Britain’, we thought we’d need an artist who’d know how to reflect that feeling. James from Pavement Licker crossed his fingers and gave Jamie Reid’s manager a ring... We were blown away when he said yes. A perfect pairing of punks.

Marker pen, photocopy and collage Jean Jullien

Idles Looooong Hair / Puffer

French artist Jean Jullien is a magician with a paintbrush. With the simplest of strokes he creates incredible worlds, and makes you feel a bit like you’ll never be any good at art. His studio is in Paris so we thought that the test pressing of Bristol rockers’ ‘A Beautiful Thing: Live At Le Bataclan’ would be right up his rue.

Acrylic Jeremy Deller

James Blake Untitled

If you’ve ever wondered what Turner Prize winning conceptual artist, and rave culture connoisseur, Jeremy Deller would do with a vinyl copy of James Blake’s eponymous debut album, well, here’s your answer.

Acrylic Jess Wilson

Robbie Williams Untitled

Artist and printmaker Jess Wilson has had her work shown at London’s V&A Museum, the infamous Jealous Gallery and at not one, but three separate Royal Academy Summer Shows. Her piece was done on the test pressing of Robbie Williams’ ‘The Christmas Present’ donated by Robbie himself — the first ever patron of Music Support.

Acrylic John Isaacs

James Lavelle Untitled

When James Lavelle was interviewed by Josh from Pavement Licker a few years ago, he told a story about artist John Isaacs staying over at his house and they spent the night chatting about art and music. So when James and Chapel Studios donated the test pressings of his epic ‘The Road: Part II / Lost Highway’ box set, off it went to John to see what he would do.

Collage Joy Yamusangie

Underworld Night Shift

Underworld’s Drift Series 1 was released as a combination of audio and video art — something we thought would fit perfectly with the art processes of hotly-tipped, London- based Joy Yamusangie. The piece they created on this test pressing is simply wonderful.

Acrylic Larry Achiampong

Michael Kiwanuka Untitled

Larry Achiampong jumped at the chance to create something with the test pressing of ‘Kiwanuka’. Don’t take our word for it, take his: ”I love Michael Kiwanuka’s music,” he told us. “I’m so excited to collaborate with his work on this project, I love his music and I loved his debut album — such a soulful, beautiful soul!”

C-type print Lucy Pass

Kano Satellite

You may recognise Lucy’s work from her recent appearance on Sky’s Portrait Artist of the Year, or as one of the John Ruskin prize finalists in 2019. Calling herself an ‘anti-portrait, portrait artist’ she draws and paints using old and found photos of people she’s never met. We’re absolutely in love with this piece on Kano’s Mercury-prize nominated album, ‘Hoodies All Summer’.

Acrylic, oil and coloured pencil Marcus James

Skunk Anansie Untitled

Faced with the three disc behemoth of Skunk Anansie’s album ’25live@25’, fine artist Marcus James has created this fantastic abstract work. Incorporating wooden boards alongside the test pressing vinyl, this piece is enormous.

Acrylic on board Neale Howells

Manic Street Preachers The Day The Earth Stood Up / Y Diwrnod Safodd Y Ddaear I Fyny

Mr Nicky Wire himself donated not one, but three test pressings of Manic Street Preacher albums for this show: Generation Terrorists, Everything Must Go and Postcards from a Young Man. Fellow Welshman, the artist Neale Howells created this absolutely spectacular piece with them.

Cyanotype print, acrylic, spray, pastel, collage with pencil notes Nettie Wakefield

Kim Gordon Vinyl-ly Together

Renowned for her intricately detailed work, London-based fine artist, Nettie Wakefield works predominantly with pencil. So the fact that she’s used acrylic pens on the test pressing of alt-rock royalty, Kim Gordon’s debut solo record, makes it doubly rare.

Acrylic pen Patrick Morales-Lee

The Horrors Capirote No. 4 / Transmission

Winner of the Galerie Heimat & NG Art Creative Residency Art Prize 2021, and competitor on Sky’s Portrait Artist of the Year, fine artist Patrick Morales-Lee used both the records from the test pressing of The Horrors’ fifth studio album, ‘V’ to create these two beautiful pieces.

Capirote No.4: Chemical Transfer, acrylic paint and oil paint / Transmission: Acrylic paint and paper collage P a u l I n s e c t

Arctic Monkeys Weekend Rockstar

This isn’t any old Arctic Monkeys test pressing. This is a test pressing of the band’s first ever single, self released on their own label, ‘Bang Bang’ and was personally donated by them. It’s incredibly rare. We gave it to the elusive Paul Insect who absolutely went to town on it. This is a truly unique piece.

Cardboard, glue, Adidas tracksuit, fur fabrics, china head, fake gold chain, tennis balls. acrylic paint, wood, crayon Penny

Blink 182 Hot Wax

London-based artist Penny is a master of stencilling. He spent two weeks with his scalpel, making tiny holes in a stencil in order create this incredible piece on the test pressing vinyl of rock giants, Blink-182’s 2019 album, ‘Nine’. Penny was so dedicated to getting his piece ‘Hot Wax’ done in time for the show, he actually did this with a freshly broken ankle.

Hand cut stencil, spray paint P u r e E v i l

Pet Shop Boys Gold Records

The Pet Shop Boys showered us in test pressings — three of them to be precise, The TPs are of the reissues of classic albums ‘Please’, ‘Actually’ and ‘Introspective’. Street artist and gallerist Pure Evil had a fun old time covering them in gold leaf and krinking them up.

Gold leaf, Krink Ralph Steadman

The Who Whoopeeee!

Hands up who knew Ralph Steadman did the artwork for The Who’s 1967 single, Happy Jack? The guys at Pavement Licker did. So they went and nervously asked if he’d be up for painting the test pressing of the cult rockers’ 2019 studio album, ‘Who’. And just look at what he came back with. Thank you Ralph.

Acrylic, ink, cigarette paper packet and collage R e m i R o u g h

Depeche Mode Where’s The Revolution

“I have always been a huge music fan so this was an ideal canvas to work on.” Remi told us about what he’d done with the test pressings of Depeche Mode’s, ‘Where’s The Revolution’. “In a previous life I was a designer for a London-based record label and so I used to design sleeves and labels all day long. So when I approached these vinyls I wanted to largely respect the actual vinyl and concentrate the artwork onto the labels.”

Spray paint and graphite Sarah Maple

Frank Turner Man’s Land

“As a lot of my work responds to feminist issues, I couldn’t help but respond to this title and Frank’s gesture in celebrating women in this record.” Sarah Maple told us about her piece on the test pressing of Frank Turner’s album ‘No Man’s Land’. “My piece is a collage of a woman in a suit with a hand cut into the face with eyes all over the body — focusing on the idea that as Women we can feel we are constantly being looked at and surveyed at a different standard to men. The ‘No’ is crossed out to reveal just the words ‘Man’s land’ to show that feminism still has a long way to go!”

Collage Seana Gavin

LCD Soundsystem American Dream

When Columbia Records donated the test pressing of LCD Soundsystem’s album, ’American Dream’ we thought it would be a tasty title for an artist to get their teeth into. But we weren’t expecting artist — and acclaimed rave photographer ­— Seana Gavin to knock this so far out of the park. It’s incredible.

Collage Shepard Fairey

The Clash Obey London Calling

World-renowned artist Shepard Fairey has made no secret of the influence The Clash has had on him, so when we offered him a limited edition vinyl of London Calling, signed and donated by the band’s Topper Headon, he grabbed it with both hands and sent us this brilliant piece a few months later.

Stencil, silkscreen and collage on paper Thomas J Price

The Prodigy Untitled (Neurons)

Prodigiously talented sculptor, Thomas J Price hand-carved these cracks on this acetate of The Prodigy’s Invader’s Must Die album, donated by Liam Howlett. Is he alluding to the fragility of those working in the music business? We don’t know, it’s something you’ll have to ask Thomas.

Unreliable media Vhils

Tricky Tricky

You can rely on Portuguese artist Vhils to always do something a bit different. And what he did with the test pressing of Tricky’s ‘Ununiform’ is certainly that. Mounted on metal and an opaque backing, he created the eye by drilling a ton of holes through it all.

Mixed media Will Martyr

Coldplay You Make Me Feel Whole

When we mentioned that Coldplay had donated the test pressing of ‘Everyday Life’ to fine artist Will Martyr, he told us that he actually went to university with the band, played on the same sports teams and went to their early gigs. So of course when we heard that, it was a no brainer to give it to him.

Acrylic Zoltar

Bicep Untitled

Josh and James from Pavement Licker and Dan Macmillan of Zoltar were all involved in the Saatchi Gallery’s big summer rave exhibition, ‘Sweet Harmony’ back in 2018. Knowing that Dan likes his dance music, they thought they’d give him the test pressing of ‘Sacrifice’, the mighty Bicep’s collaboration with Simian Mobile Disco. And look at this incredible result.

Collage

@alexmayhughes X @sonicyouth_official @barryreigate X @yungblud @coldwarsteve X @sleaford_mods @davidshrigley X @thechicorganization @fredcoppinart X @sam_fender @thisisnotgavinturk X @therollingstones @graceneutral X @charli_xcx @mrianbruce X @roisinmurphyofficial @jamesmjoyce X @officialfatboyslim @jamie_reid_archive X @slowthai @jean_jullien X @idlesband @jeremydeller X @jamesblake @jesswilson1984 X @robbiewilliams @john.isaacs X @unkleofficial @joyyamusangie X @underworld @larryachiampong X @michaelkiwanuka @lucy.pass.artist X @therealkano @marcusleejames X @officialskunkanansie @artistnealehowells X @manics @nettiedraws X @kimletgordon @patrickmoraleslee X @thehorrors @paulinsect X @arcticmonkeys @onepennypiece X @blink182 @pureevilgallery X @petshopboys @steadmanart X @officialthewho @remirough X @depechemode @sarahmapleart X @frankturner @seanagavin X @lcdsoundsystem @obeygiant X @the_clash @tpstudio X @theprodigyofficial @vhils X @trickyofficial @wmartyr X @coldplay @danzoltar X @feelmybicep

Music Support is a registered charity that helps peers working in the UK music industry who are affected by mental ill-health and/or addiction. Founded in 2016, the charity was borne from the lived experience of its founders; now in recovery from these conditions, our gratitude and desire to help others in similar situations was the driving force behind the creation of Music Support. The widespread impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the music industry and individual livelihoods has resulted and will continue to result in industry workers reaching out for help with mental health and addiction problems. The money raised from Pressing Matters exhibition and auctions will enable Music Support to provide peer-led crisis support personalised to meet individual needs via our helpline, signposting to a network of vetted and accredited professionals, education and training, and tech-based initiatives such as the NHS approved Thrive mental wellbeing app. Helium London works with expert collectors and worldwide arts institutes. Something they have done for over 20 years, with care and mutual respect, combined with a tailored approach since no client and no artist is the same.

Their portfolio includes sought-after collectible artists, while also nurturing and promoting emerging talent too. They are proud to have built a well established and respected clientele that lasts the test of time. Matchesfashion

MATCHESFASHION started with a single shop in Wimbledon over 30 years ago and has grown into one of the biggest global destinations in online luxury for men and women, with a modern edit of over 600 established and new generation designers, delivering to over 176 countries. They are known for their fashion point of view, with a forward-looking focus on innovation and emerging talent. Their aspiration is to be the most personal luxury shopping site in the world. They offer 24/7 advice through their fashion-concierge team MyStylist, as well as at their London stores and retail experience, event space and broadcasting hub at 5 Carlos Place in Mayfair. MATCHESFASHION has long championed and celebrated art and culture, collaborating with artists, designers, directors, studios and institutions on a range of projects.

Jess Christie, Chief Brand & Content Officer, MATCHESFASHION says “MATCHESFASHION has always been a global showcase for innovators in fashion and the arts and so we are delighted to partner with Helium London and Pavement Licker on this unique project that will raise money for Music Support and start a conversation to increase awareness and support recovery. Our customer is inspired by the connectivity between art, fashion and music and we are looking forward to launching this exhibition at 5 Carlos Place and across our digital channels.” Back in 2003, graphic artist James-Lee Duffy and writer Josh Jones started a ‘zine called Pavement Licker. It promoted fresh talent alongside more established names in the underground art world and it was fiercely independent. Nearly 20 years later it’s still going strong and Pavement Licker has grown into something much bigger, while still retaining that original focus.

Known for their extensive contacts in the art world, Pavement Licker has continued to promote artists to a global audience through the ‘zine, collaborations and curated art shows, including the conception and curation of Pressing Matters. They’ve also worked with the Saatchi Gallery, collaborated on clothing lines, created zines, made screen prints, raised lots of money for charity, and continue to do what they want. Zhero serves London’s arts, interiors, fashion, and photoshoot industries with the logistics solutions they need, and they do it with zero emissions. Founded by Ollie King and Joe Sharpe, their wealth of experience means they fully understand the challenges of urban logistics, having also worked as bicycle and van couriers, high-end furniture and lighting installers, and as on-site project managers throughout their careers. Together, they have designed and implemented workflow, scheduling, and fleet management systems for established logistics companies. Zhero generously donated their time, expertise, leg muscles and electric vans to pick up and drop off the records and artworks around London to support the Pressing Matters show. We’d like to give the hugest thanks to all the musicians, managers and especially the artists who donated records, their time and skills to this project.

Further big thanks: to Alex Cohen, Alex Webb, all at Church Studios, all at Flight Logistics, all at MATCHESFASHION, all at Music Support, all at Satellite 414, all at Zhero, Alys Gibson, Anastasia Albertine Sakoilska, Andy Franks, Bill Curbishley, Carl Gosling, Carolina Thomas, Catty White, Charli XCX, Charlie Coletta, Charlotte Alexander, Claire Ormiston, Craig Arbuckle - Hambledon Framing, David Holmes, El Wood, Elizabeth Cho Perez, Ellie Rumbold, Emily Mellor, Emma Dartmouth Coquet, Eric Mtungwazi, Felicia Pennant, Flight Logistics, Francesca Fox, Gavin Gottlich, Ginny Song, Giuseppe Aprile Borriello - Mavega, Gordon Hough, Guy Williams, Hambledon Framing, Hannah Dolan, Hannah Rogers, Henry Evans Harding, Hugh Gadsdon, Ian McAndrew, Jean Makepeace, Joe Knatchbull, Joe Sharp, Joe Smith. Colomba Giacomini, John Marchant, Jonathan Kessler, João Cruz, Juno Jones, Kate Halfpenny, Kieron Evans, Lauren Kemp, Lewis Levi, Liam Howlett, Liz Lagno, Lottie Lander, Louisa Davies, Luke Ferrar, Lynne Maltman, Marcus James, Mark Richardson, Marvin Scott Jarrett, Merck Mercuriadis, Michelle Kambasha, Murray Chalmers, Naoise Ryan, Naomi Williams, Nicky Wire, Nile Rodgers, Noam Klar, Norm for being the first Yes, Oli Isaacs, Ollie King, Phil Duffy, Phil Harvey, Richard Thomas, Rik Brown, Sadie Williams, Sam Pringle, Simon Chilvers, Stephen Chapman, Steve Moxon-Riedlin, Susan Howlett, Sylvester Duffy, Tim Cook, Tim Rasbash, Tom Mehrtens, Twiggy Rowley, Victoria Yarnish, Zara Truss Giles, Zena White