Atsuhiro Ito « More Canals than Venice – What looks to be an astounding concert at VIVID this Wednesday 10 March – Capsule present Japanese musician/artist Atsuhiro Ito:
He uses a device he has made called an Optron, fluorescent light tubes with integrated guitar pick-ups which are sent through guitar amp stacks. ‘When a voltage applied to the tubes is altered, the lights flicker and the pick-ups harvest the electromagnetic noise perfectly synchronized with the flickering light. The intense noise creating a visual hallucination and the sounds veering from some kind of extreme techno to outright noise. ‘ Wow.
It has a attractive and in a positive way a slightly bizarre feel to it, all added to on this occasion by the presence of its Valentine’s Day and Christmas decorations.
YouTube – DJ Beerman Presents 20th February 2010 Promo Video – The rockingest promo video ever for DJ Beerman Presents at The Old Wharf, Digbeth on the 20th February 2010 – featuring Morgue Orgy, Imperial Vengeance, Warlord UK, Korvus and Musta Talvi.
Capsule blog photo: Sara of Needles & Hooks as well as Stitches & Hos
Last week was the last week of Capsule’s residency in VIVID, in celebration of their tenth birthday. First up on Thursday was Knowing Me, Knowing You where Capsule and Created in Birmingham‘got together and invited a bunch of interesting people along to introduce themselves and say (for the sake of getting a conversation going) what they might do if they were to get their hands on VIVID for a little while.’ The results were interesting (especially the suggestion of packing the place with jelly) so fingers crossed that this can become a regular thing.
Saturday was the big bash closing party, culminating in a great performance by the poptastic and seriously circuit-bent Modified Toy Orchestra. It was the first time I’d had a chance to see them and they were brilliant. Hula Barbie stole the show in her new dress, there was a rather phallic rocket that counted to ten and some lovely projected visuals that reminded me of Brian Duffy describing how he once made the stars sing at Supersonic 2008.
Capsule have now cleaned up and moved out of the VIVID space, which is shut until 12th January.
Many thanks to Midge for alerting me to the Rock Out! Christmas Party at The Old Wharf this Sat 19th Dec. A free, rockin’ live music event from 5.30pm with a raffle to support the local Birmingham Dogs Home.
On Friday evening I went to my first Capsule tenth birthday concert – Pram and Light Trap at VIVID on Heath Mill Lane. First up was Light Trap and I must admit to being pleasantly surprised by these – I thought they might be a bit heavy for my liking but I found them melodic and very enjoyable. Damn my silly musical prejudices and thank God I have Capsule to make me break them.
The break between bands was a perfect opportunity to enjoy the display pieces and this is what I really liked about it – it was half gig and half exhibition to appreciate. It was a nice and unusual mix.
Pram were everything they promised to be – a great, well thought-out instrumental performance that matched the gorgeous visuals perfectly. Unfortunately my pictures don’t do them justice because I’d had 3 bottles Purity Ale by then.
Capsule will carry on their celebrations in VIVID until the end of this week – with Knowing Me Knowing You this Thurs 17th Dec and a Closing Party on Sat 19th Dec (the Beak gig has been canceled).
