It is so easy now to mull over the relative merits of the DJ Rupture or Lightning Bolt gig on in town tonight. 5 years ago the idea of a regular flow of cutting edge, vital new music flowing through Birmingham was a fantasy. Over the intervening years Capsule have proved to be diligent and energetic supporters of quality music with the ears of true fans and DIY commitment we should all applaud.
Over 5 years Capsule have presented 86 events. Capsule has presented artists from a range of genres and a mixture of established and emergent artists, with an emphasis on the experimental side of each genre. Capsule have built up a reputation for bringing international / national talent to the West Midlands and for being instrumental in the development of the current experimental music scene in the region. Every one of these events has featured regional artists, they are fundamental to Capsules activities and to the creative scene within the West Midlands.
Capsule are Lisa Meyer & Jenny Moore, they create, curate and facilitate Capsule events and collaborations with energy, wit and positive spirit. Whether it be art installations, organizing trips to Sonar, co-promotions with local promoters, Cinema or cultural events.
Jenny explains “Exhibitions have also been high on the list of things we like to do. Giant was an early high point because we were so thrilled to have an exhibition by an artist whose work we really admired, and equally so with the Lodown and Unabomber shows. The Lodown opening event was one to remember, we hired Sumo suits for people to have sumo fights in what is now the Custard Factory reception, it all got quite messy towards the end of the evening. ” Merzbow, Coil, Fugazi, Godspeed, Kid 606, People Like Us, Melt Banana, Lydia Lunch, and a host of other great, good and ghastly acts have passed through the Custard Factory home of Capsule over the last five years. Now we expect to be greeted by Japanese freaks, teutonic goatees and taciturn Wire types as we assemble to witness the latest US undergound phenomenon/Bedroom Terrorist.
As a Capsule event regular explains “10 Years ago if you wanted to go see any of these or similar bands you would be taking a trip to London or nearby, better cities like Manchester, Edinburgh or Wolverhampton, and sleeping under some damp cardboard boxes at the station, or someone’s sticky lino kitchen floor because the last train back to Brum was at ten to nine.”
There is a thin line between fan and promoter. The reason Capsule are 5 years old at all is that there was nothing of interest to your curious music devotee in Birmingham in 1999. The last recourse of a frustrated music fan is to do-it-yourself. If there are no good gigs here then we should put some on ourselves! This is the point at which Capsule become an inspiration to anyone in a musical ‘backwater’ – Start something yourself and bring the music to you.
Early nights featured the likes of Snail Racing, Bilge Pump, Buick 6 and do make say think. Discerning music fans emerged from the woodwork and a scene was set.
Events such as this formed the platform from which to build a reputation. This in turn raised the bar on the acts that could be brought to town.
Now events like Fugazi, Chicks On Speed, Godspeed you Black Emporer! or Kid 606 were possible. This inexorable rise has been managed with restraint and culminates in the mighty Supersonic Festival. Now an annual event which has featured a stellar cast including Coil, Deadsunrising, Luke Vibert, DJ Scud and Senor Coconut and His Orchestra.
Of all these what have been the favourites from the promoters point of view ? Jenny again,
“With Capsule and Cake we worked with Ian Francis who asked us to come and do an alternative event for the Birmingham Film and Television Festival. We mixed live music with relevant films (and cake!), it is one of our favourites for several reasons, firstly it was a predominantly Birmingham line up and it was a sell out show, It was good to do an event in a non music venue puts a twist on the whole night. There was a really good atmosphere the whole evening.”
“The first Supersonic Festival was a big achievement for us and made us feel excited about what we were doing. Fugazi was the most star struck we have ever been, meeting our teenage heroes.”
The credibility of the Capsule events is an aspect which the Capsule Girls are keen not to compromise. As events like Supersonic have become larger scale, 2004 was over 3 days, they have worked to balance the expectations of the audience, the level of quality they are associated with and the commercial necessities of running larger music events. One thing is certain though, the people who benefit are the music fans of the West Midlands. One recent comment from a Birmingham Culture Discussion Forum says it all
“It’s true though that their programming has been consistently interesting and helped to open a space for more dynamic and ‘cutting edge’ performers in Birmingham, which has traditionally tended to go along a rather conservative path in relation to music…”
An important factor in the respect which Capsule events are afforded is the sheer variety of artists that they have put on. There is no scene promotion or fashion following here, just high caliber artists with a proven track record for engaging live events. The only thing that links Electric Wizard, DJ Shitmat, Senor Coconut, Marc Almond and Matt Wand is that any discerning music fan should see them.
To celebrate 5 years as Birminghams musical curators there is a party featuring Friends of the stars, Noise Noise Alore, Esquilax, Floach and PCM. As the girls themselves put it
Well we just can’t believe we’ve been around for so long and been allowed to get away with it…….in order to celebrate and thank all those who have supported us over the years we’re throwing a party including a final farewell from the legendary king of pop Floach and a set by PCM but not as you know them.”
Again this event confirms Capsules commitment to local music and the people who come through the door to support the artists and events.
Over the last five years or so things have changed, now, you can go to see good, interesting new music at a fair price, meet groovy, fun people and still have enough change from a twenty for a balti. It is almost exclusively the Capsule Girls who have made this happen. We should be grateful.
