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THE HUMAN VALUE SECOND U.S. RELEASE HAS A PRETTY MOUTH AND A NEW APPROACH
September 23rd Release Push and Pull from Female Fronted Power Trio
Solidifies U.K. Hype as Band to Watch in Second Half of 2008
Lead Singer Turu Launches Indie Label with New Record
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOS ANGELES, CA (July XX, 2008) – Los Angeles-based power trio The Human Value (http://www.thehumanvalue.com) announced today that they will be releasing their second CD, Push and Pull, in the U.S. on September 23, 2008, along with a limited edition LP. The LP (500 blue and 500 yellow vinyl) includes a free download card for a one-time digital download of Push and Pull and two additional bonus tracks not on the U.K. version (released Nov. of ’07). The U.S. release is the first on lead singer Turu’s newly-formed Pretty Mouth Records (http://www.prettymouthrecords.com) via Big Deal Records (http://www.bigdealrecords.com) with distribution from Ryko / WEA http://www.rykodistribution.com ).
The Human Value (THV) is a power trio fronted by serpentine vocalist Turu, king of the fuzz-tone guitar Hiram Fleites (ex- Kittens for Christian) and whirling dervish drummer Tim Bolish. THV first made a name for themselves in England on their debut self-titled CD in winter of 2006. Turu and Hiram, the core duo behind the LA based THV, relocated to London that year, touring guerilla-style through ’07. They returned to the states to record Push and Pull but went back to the UK for that release and more touring. They made the move due, in large part, to nomadic adventure and fantastic reviews in the notoriously fickle U.K. press (like NME "It’s powerful stuff" and The Fly "They are The Human Value. We are not worthy,") on their UK debut. They soon became known for their eye-popping live show.
Push and Pull finds The Human Value’s core sound based on Turu’s sultry, come hither and often balls-to-the-wall vocals who, according to Diva Magazine, “..sounds like Karen O’s sleazier sister". Full of heavy, dark, fuzzy tunes that sound like a band who enjoy comparisons to Joy Division one day and Blondie doing vocals for The Strokes another, and throw in some PJ Harvey for good measure. It is a record that will literally push and pull you in many directions at once. There’s a lot of noise for a power trio, that’s for sure.
Full track listing for Push and Pull is:
1. Pleasant Town
2. Pretty Mouth
3. No Sacrifice
4. I Don’t Care
5. Complications No. 2
6. Hold of Me
7. Spite
8. Alibi
9. Parts
10. Nothing
11. Home is Not Real
12. Deep Blue
13. Push and Pull
14. All These Years (bonus track, previously unavailable)
15. The City (bonus track, previously unavailable)
While living in the UK, Turu found a number of cool artists and like-minded musicians who are ready for a U.S. presence. Being business minded (as well as quite ‘hot’) Turu decided to launch Pretty Mouth Records with The Human Value’s latest full length being its first release. Pretty Mouth Records will announce additional signings in the near future and will be focusing on digital distribution as well as CD and vinyl product, so full details of the new label will be announced shortly.
ABOUT THE HUMAN VALUE & PRETTY MOUTH RECORDS
The Human Value is fronted by the sultry Turu (vocals), Hiram Fleites (Guitar) and Tim Bolish (Drummer). Founded in 2005, Turu and Fleites moved from their home base of Los Angeles to London in support of the eponymous debut in 2006. English publications like NME (‘powerful stuff’), The Fly (‘Yeah Yeah Yeah’s with added PJ Harvey’), Diva (‘Sounds like Karen O’s older, sleazier sister’), Artrocker (‘larynx-vibrating anthems laced w/ venom that can’t be missed’) and more praised the band’s live show and the band built a substantial fan base. 2008 finds Turu and the band releasing their second release Push and Pull on September 23, 2008 by launching Pretty Mouth Records via Big Deal Records and returning home to Los Angeles to conquer another jaded music-obsessed city.
For more information, please contact Joshua Mills at It’s Alive! Media, 323-464-6314, josh@itsalivemedia.com, www.itsalivemedia.com
UK ACT VENUS BOGARDUS SEES FIRST U.S. RELEASE ON PRETTY MOUTH RECORDS
November Release Tourist From Brit Art-rock Power Trio Brings DIY Favourites To States-side Audiences
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOS ANGELES, CA; BATH/BRISTOL, ENGLAND (AUGUST 7, 2008) – UK-based post-punk/art-rock three-piece Venus Bogardus (www.venusbogardus.com; James Reich – vocals, guitar; Hannah Levbarg – vocals, bass; Obaro Evuarherhe - drums) announced today that new album Tourist, coming at the end of November 2008, will be one of the first releases in newly formed Pretty Mouth Records’ catalog, and the band’s first US release. The album is to be released via Big Deal Records with distribution from Ryko/WEA. Venus Bogardus will also tour the US in late 2008/early 2009.
Favourably compared in UK and US press to X, Psychedelic Furs, Sonic Youth, Throwing Muses, Hüsker Dü, The Breeders, Television and more, DIY heroes Venus Bogardus have never followed the ubiquitous UK ‘tweecore’ pop trend, instead bringing audiences a driven and intense showcase of their addictive tunes, exceptional lyrics and inspired instrumental and vocal performances. Formed by James and Hannah (who are fictionalized in Julie Powell’s book Julie & Julia, Little Brown, 2005) in late 2005, the band has consistently received rave reviews in the UK and US for recordings and live shows, and collaborates regularly with avant-garde writers and artists that have included Stanley Donwood (Radiohead) and Laurent Collobert (Cassius). In 2007 Venus Bogardus played Glastonbury Festival after being nominated as one of just six of the UK’s best emerging bands for the Festival’s John Peel Stage, headlined during Ladyfest Bristol and made a special appearance at Frankfurt’s New *Glam* Underground Festival. The demo version of their song Motorman is included on The Wiretapper, The Wire Magazine’s compilation CD, and they have remained a favourite not only of press and fans, but also of other bands and musicians.
Following suit to their 2006 vinyl single Jacques Rigaut and 2007 album Motorman, with Tourist Venus Bogardus once again pays impressive poetic and musical homage to a range of literary and cultural personages, this time including Isabelle Eberhardt, Jane and Paul Bowles, J.G. Ballard, James Chance, Richard Hell and John Cale (covering the latter’s exceptional cut-up-lyric song, Cordoba). Pre-release promotion is already generating rotation for the album on college and indie radio in the US and UK. The full track listing for Tourist is as follows:
1. Elevator (3:37)
2. Isabelle (6:20)
3. Cordoba (Cale/Eno) (3:47)
4. Five out of Six (5:56)
5. Tourist (4:24)
6. Fierce 70s Tomboy (3:57)
7. Two Serious Ladies (4:18)
8. New Glam Underground (3:18)
Says Hannah, “We are incredibly excited and flattered to have been asked to join Pretty Mouth’s artist roster. Venus Bogardus is driven by a compulsion to make the best and most exciting music and poetry we can, and we’ve always had high standards. There is meaning, quality, contagious passion and dedicated work ethic behind Pretty Mouth Records and the music of their main act, The Human Value, that makes us feel right at home. This is exactly where we want to be: at the front of a necessary and beautiful revolution, at full volume.”
Venus Bogardus are on holiday in the US this summer. They make a special appearance at The Viper Room, Los Angeles, August 18th 2008, playing the record launch party for The Human Value’s new album Push and Pull, and return to the US in November for shows across the country.
To book or interview Venus Bogardus, please contact James Reich or Hannah Levbarg: band@venusbogardus.com Tel (UK): (+44) (0)1225 447684
For more information regarding Pretty Mouth Records or Pretty Mouth recording artists, contact Turu Marx: Tel: (818) 442 4360 info@prettymouthrecords.com
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