ALT-X ANNOUNCES NEW MUSIC LABEL WITH RELEASE OF ITS FIRST CD, FEATURING
NOVELIST AND DIGITAL ARTIST MARK AMERIKA ON VOCALS

BOULDER, July 8, 1999–The Alt-X Online Network, which has been
internationally recognized as "the best site on the web for cutting-edge
fiction, criticism and hypertext" (Details), "the literary publishing
model of the future" (Publishers Weekly) and "the sub-pop of literature"
(SPIN), is now starting its own music label featuring CDs and mp3
albums. The first CD release is called PHON:E:ME and features the sound
collaboration of Mark Amerika and Erik Belgum.

"It's DJ Electronica meets avant-pop fiction," says Amerika, whose
PHON:E:ME web project, commissioned by the Walker Art Center's Gallery
9, was released last week. The web site is located at
http://phoneme.walkerart.org

The Walker project features an mp3 concept album showcasing the sonic
fictions of Amerika as remixed by DJs Erik Belgum (USA) and Brendan
Palmer (Sydney) and comes complete with a state-of-the-art Shockwave
interface designed by L.A. designer Anne Burdick and an accompanying
HYPER:LINER:NOTES written by Amerika whose last major web project,
GRAMMATRON (www.grammatron.com), was exhibited at major art festivals
worldwide.

"With the release of this mp3 concept-album for the web audience, I'm
reconfiguring my writing practice so that it now prioritizes all forms
of new media, not just text or hypertext," said Amerika. "I was very
fortunate that the Walker was open to the idea of commissioning a major
net art project which is still a rare thing these days. That, plus the
fact that Alt-X is releasing the CD as part of its music label launch
really helps pave the way for developing an audience excited by the
convergence of writing, music and the web's graphical user-interface."

The CD can be ordered directly from the Alt-X web site at
http://www.altx.com/altxmusic or by calling 1-800-655-8563.

For more information please send email to x@altx.com