To mark the passing of the originally-rescheduled-start-date of their tour with The Subways, ART BRUT are pleased to be digitally releasing the 16 minute, as-live ‘Berlinische’ version of their hit single ‘Modern Art’ in full today.
Stream and share: https://backl.ink/142978771
The entire 16 minute version of the single was premiered in full by John Kennedy at Radio X—surely one of the longest singles ever to be played on the UK airwaves?
The track is out now on all good digital service providers via Alcopop! Records, and Art Brut will now be touring the UK with The Subways on newly-rescheduled dates throughout Sep/Oct 2021 (see below for full listings).
Originally released as a physical exclusive for Record Store Day 2020, the brand new version of their 2005 indie mega-hit was crammed onto a black and red splatter 7″ and named after the German modern art gallery round the corner from where it was recorded.
Taking inspiration from an idea by Alcopop! collaborator and artist Rhi Lee (of Rhi Lee Design fame) each of the limited edition run of 300 sleeves was individually designed by fans, family, friends, and members of the band across the world.
Crafting some next level artistic creations, there were some interesting names amongst the assembled artists, with the likes of Black Francis, John Cooper Clarke, Dev from IDLES, Ian Burden and Jo Callis ex-The Human League, Ben ‘Eddison Tollett’ Crompton from Game of Thrones, Tess Parks and members of The Manic Street Preachers, Bis, The Lovely Eggs, TIGERCUB, Gaffa Tape Sandy, Cheerbleederz, and more, all doing wonderful things.
The 7″ was Record Store Day’s most requested item by customers of Rough Trade, selling out in minutes across the country, with prices for the record rising up to 25 times the original cost on eBay and Discogs.
Commenting on putting the ambitious project together from the label’s perspective, Alcopop! Records boss Jack Clothier says: “Record Store Day was such a trip, and it was amazing to see so many of the sleeves pop up in good homes. We’ve seen John Cooper Clarke’s effort pop up in Keynsham, a Frank Black original in West London, and my Mum’s work turned up to a very delighted record collector in Brighton, though the less said about those f**king eBay scalpers the better.”
“Now, with the thought of rocking out to The Subways and Art Brut in our collective consciousness, it seemed a very good time to pop the full version on all DSPs so people can get what is definitely the closest to being at a live Art Brut show in their ears. Also, we should say a massive thanks to John Kennedy for playing all 977 seconds of this megahit on air. We pitched it as a dare and he totally went for it! Who says radio hits need to be sub-3 minutes?”
Although not all of the sleeves have been unearthed publicly on social media, over 1/3 of the total number have brought designers and purchasers together in a wonderful show of connections all over the UK and beyond, with Art Brut truly bringing people together in a time of disconnection.
One sleeve was being produced moments before the artist, Charlotte Moss, gave birth to her first child, Saskia. Creating a pregnancy diary on her version of the 7″ sleeve, she found her work turning up in NYC (via Banquet Records), purchased by an owner whose birthday landed in the same week as her new born baby.
Elsewhere, little Arthur Abbott—whose 2nd birthday fell a few weeks after RSD—is thought to be the youngest record sleeve designer of all time, penning sleeve number 173.
‘Modern Art (Berlinische Edition)’ is out now via Alcopop! Records
ART BRUT live w/ The Subways 2021:
23rd Sept – Norwich // The Waterfront
24th Sept – Birmingham // O2 Institute
25th Sept – London // O2 Forum Kentish
30th Sept – Nottingham // Rock City
01st Oct – Bristol // O2 Academy
02nd Oct – Porstmouth // Pyramid Centre
Tickets on sale now: https://myticket.co.uk/
