Hardcore, a lush visual celebration of Pulp’s sixth studio album, This Is Hardcore, featuring unseen photography, behind-the-scenes interviews and revealing visuals, is currently seeking crowdfunding pledges.

British photographer Paul Burgess was invited by Jarvis Cocker to document Pulp's activities throughout the This Is Hardcore era, taking photographs during video shoots, live gigs and other events. Written and designed by Burgess and Louise Colbourne, Hardcore contains a candid selection of previously unseen images of the band, behind the scenes and on set, of the four main video shoots made to promote the album.

With carefully curated images from Burgess’s archive, Hardcore also includes quotations and interviews from then and now by the video directors, band members and other artists involved with the album. Contributors include Doug Nichol, John Currin, Stephen Mallinder, Sergei Sviatchenko, John Stezaker and Florian Habicht, all of whom have a connection to the album, the band or the era. There are also visual responses from a selection of younger artists and designers, such as Alexa Vieira, who have been inspired by Burgess’s photographs and the band’s legacy.

Due for publication in mid-to-late 2023, the 256 page square-back hardback volume will be bound in a textured stock and feature the artwork ‘Rosebush’ (2003) by American artist John Currin (whose paintings feature in the Help the Aged video) as its cover.

Pledges begin at £40 (currently £35 for early birds) with a series of additional rewards offered for higher pledges, including author signed copies, t-shirts, badges, alternate slipcase, a specially created 3D lenticular photograph and one of four exclusive prints. All pledges will be refunded in full if the funding goal is not met by the deadline of Wednesday 9th November (7pm GMT).

Please consider pledging for your copy today to help make this special project happen.