The year started with some great shows at the Hare & Hounds, showcasing local talent alongside international touring bands. We were thrilled to host Kayo Dot, Seefeel, Woods and Arbouretum in Birmingham, an ever bass heavy set from Dead Fader and a great new discovery in Cambridge’s The Doozer.

Woods at Hare & Hounds on 14th March 2011 – photo by Katja Ogrin

Just one of the awesome gig posters produced for by Tom J Hughes

March saw us revving up for a full on year of Home of Metal events with a screening of ‘In Bed with Chris Needham’ at Flatpack Festival, a cult piece of video that follows a 17 year old Thrash Metal fan through those difficult teenage years. We also held a Home of Metal Open Day - think Antique’s Roadshow for Metal fans, at The Public with special guest Krusher and a DIY cardboard guitar making workshop with Juneau Projects.

Some pretty serious guitar design, photo by Katja Ogrin

Spring saw some really special shows take place as Capsule favourites Earth played in April, the ever intriguing Matmos and Emeralds played in May. We also had our own Royal Wedding party with some great Birmingham bands, including new  favourites Backwards. Behind the scenes we were busy putting together our major Home of Metal exhibition at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and planning for the season of Heavy Metal celebrations.

Matmos at the mac, 15th May 2011 photo by Kate Fitzgeorge

Backwards at Hare & Hounds, 30th April 2011

‘Home of Metal: 40 years of Heavy Metal and its unique birthplace’ opened at BM&AG on 18th June 2011 and ran through out the summer. We were more than a bit hyped when Black Sabbath guitarist and all round hero was our special guest of honour at the opening. The exhibition explored the ingredients that together created Heavy Metal and was greeted with amazing audience figures and a huge amount of press attention. Thanks again to all who contributed to the show’s success – it was a landmark moment for the project and for Capsule as an organisation.

Johnny Doom keeping it casual in our recreation of Ozzy’s Aston home, photo by Katja Ogrin

The show included a number of key objects from the featured bands history, including Judas Priest stage costumes and Sabbath’s Mob Rules stage cross. Photo by Katja Ogrin

Yeah, that’s right – Tony Iommi. Photo by Katja Ogrin

The Home of Metal season also saw exhibitions across the Black Country, exploring various themes relating to Heavy Metal, from the music’s visual impact to the metal working industries of the region. Home of Metal also hosted the UK’s first Heavy Metal academic conference which saw world leaders in the field of metal studies discuss ‘Heavy Metal and Place’. A weekender of activity around the Black Country included the ‘Metal on Film’ festival, the touring Vintage Mobile Cinema, more DIY guitar action with Juneau Projects and as ever some great live music from bands like Gentleman’s Pistols, Stinky Wizzleteat and Selfless.

A newly commissioned work by Nicholas Bullen and Damien Deroubaix, referencing the first Napalm Death record. Photo by Katja Ogrin

Crust/grind band Selfless perform at the screening of ”Heavy Metal Parking Lot’ at Wolverhampton Lighthouse. Photo by Katja Ogrin.

The crowd watching Gentleman’s Pistols at New art Gallery Walsall.  Photo by Katja Ogrin.

Clearly, you never quite know what to expect on a day out in Dudley

It was an exhausting but awesome summer, but the momentum couldn’t stop there as that little ol thing Supersonic crept up on us in October. We were thrilled to have Tony Conrad, Secret Chiefs 3, Alva Noto and many more influential names on the line up as well as showcase exciting new or underground artists such as Teeth of the Sea, Drunk in Hell, Agathe Max and Ore.

This (literally) ceiling shattering set was one of the last chances to catch Scorn live. Photo by Greg Neate

After filling the Theatre Space in 2010, Barn Owl took to the largest stage at the festival, and played a beautiful set. Photo by Robert Knowles

Lucky Dragons’ participatory performance was a highlight for many. Photo by Craig Earp.

Supersonic 2011 in 90 seconds by HTF media. For more photos and reviews visit the Supersonic Collective Memory

Thanks to all who came along, performed, volunteered and generally supported. Since then we’ve has two excellent shows with firm favourites The Melvins performing in November, may a Capsule fist in the air! IKON invited Capsule to curate a night as part of their Autumn Almanac series of events. It was the Sound of Birmingham and saw performance from tuba doom band Ore, a Black Sabbath inspired improvised piece by Andrew Moscardo Parker and a collective of string players plus field recordings inspired by ‘metal’ by SOUNDkitchen.

Buzz of The Melvins, 1st November 2011. Photo by Katja Ogrin.

Don’t forget we’ll be having a Christmas party on 18th December at Hare & Hounds with our friends Polar Bear Records, Birmingham Bike Foundry and Ideal. There’ll be live music in the form of Backwards, Stinky Wizzleteat and Selfless, a raffle and other treats. Tickets available here, hope to see you there!

We’re up against some pretty outstanding folks including our goods friends John & Luke at The Quietus ( but do feel free to vote for us !)- more details here http://www.musicindie.com/awards/indiechampion

Some exciting additions to the line up are announced today, along with a screenprinting workshop for those of you who don’t mind getting your hands dirty. Day tickets are also on sale from today and can be found HERE.

First of all, some sad news. Due to illness within the band ZU93 are forced to cancel their appearance at this year’s Supersonic. This is indeed, really sad news and we wish a speedy recovery.

In happier news, we are utterly thrilled to announce two very special performances at the fest this year. Mike Watt will be joining the festival line up with his Missingmen. A hero to many, Mike Watt has most known for his work in the Minutemen, fIREHOSE and his current work with Iggy and the Stooges. MC Will Brooks of Dalek will be bringing his new solo project iconAclass to the festival this year, his new material sees him maintaining the gritty view of boom-bap he is know for, while returning to his roots.

For anyone interested in screenprinting and DIY production we are bringing you a screenprinting workshop in collaboration with GET A GRIP. You can design and print your very own Supersonic T-shirt to keep, a perfect festival memento. Spaces are very limited for this workshop, so sign up quickly by emailing admin@capsule.org.uk with the subject SCREENPRINT.

Day tickets are now on sale:

Friday 21st October – £20

Saturday 22nd October – £35

Sunday 23rd October – £35

There are still weekend tickets available for only £75, giving you three days of exciting music, art, film and of course cake.

FRIDAY – APPAT/CLOAKS/DRUMCUNT/MIKE WATT + THE MISSINGMEN/PART CHIMP/SCORN/SCOTCH EGG/SECRET CHIEFS 3/SLABDRAGGER/

SATURDAY – AGATHE MAX/ALEXANDER TUCKER/ANTILLES/BACKWARDS/BARDO POND/BERG SANS NIPPLE/ELECTRIC WIZARD/KLAUS KINSKI/KOGUMAZA/LUCKY DRAGONS/MONARCH/MUTE SYNTH/NATHAN BELL/ORTHODOX/PHAROAH OVERLORD/SKULL DEFEKTS/TEETH OF THE SEA/WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM/ZOMBI/

SUNDAY – ALVA NOTO/ASTRO/BARN OWL/BYETONE/CIRCLE/CUT HANDS/DRUNK IN HELL/DRUM EYES/ENVY/ETERNAL TAPESTRY/FIRE!/ICONACLASS/JEFRE CANTU-LEDESMA/MODULATE/ORE/PEKKO KAPPI/SELFLESS/SILVER APPLES/TONY CONRAD/TURBONEGRO/WHITE HILLS/

We’re very excited to announce that electronica pioneers Alva Noto and Byetone will be playing at this year’s Supersonic Festival. Two wizards of  experimental audio visual performance, the German artists will be play at the festival as part of their 15 year anniversary tour. Alva Noto makes rhythms and harmonies using clicks and glitches and is also known for his work with Ryoji Ikeda. Byetone, aka Olaf Benders is the label boss of Raster Noto record label and as Byetone manipulates abstract animations in realtime to support abstract, complex pieces of music that mange to be  danceable at the same time.

Also joining the bill this year is Cut Hands, aka William Bennett of Whitehouse, and his afro noise project. Alexander Tucker will be presenting an intimate performance of his new record of minimalist string arrangements and electronic manipulations and The Berg Sans Nipple will bring their incredible live show to the festival.  Part Chimp, legendary for the volume of their live hows will bring their noise rock to the stage, along with psych sleazers Teeth of the Sea, Sabbath worshippers Slabdragger and Nottingham’s finest, Kogumaza.

As ever, we like you to get you involved in the festival too, a bit of audience participation never goes amiss and we’re pleased to announce an exciting workshop from Supersonic friend John Richards. After the success of his Dirty Electronics Ensemble in 2009, he’ll back with a new noise making workshop, Mute Synth,  where participants can also show off their hard work at the live performance at the festival.

We’re also very pleased to announce the return of Supersonic Kids Gigs – big sounds for little people. Lucky Dragons, as well as performing at the main festival site for us grown ups, will be doing a special performance for children and their families.

For up to date festival news go to www.supersonicfestival.com

Tickets for the festival are only £75 for three days of music, film, art and cake and are available from:

www.theticketsellers.co.uk

www.seetickets.com

Plugs Records, Cork

Polar Bear Records, Birmingham

Swordfish Records, Birmingham

Friday 22nd October 9pm – 2.30am
Tickets £20 BUY NOW
Headlined by Napalm Death
with Dead Fader, Demons (feat Sick Llama), Devil Man (feat DJ Scotch Egg), Drumcorps, Fukpig, Gum Takes Tooth, Necro Deathmort, PCM

Saturday 23rd October 4pm – 1.30am
Tickets £35 BUY NOW
Headlined by Godflesh + Melt Banana
with Blue Sabbath Black Fiji, Cave, Cloaks (DJ set), Dosh, Eagle Twin, Gnaw, Gnod, King Midas Sound, Lash Frenzy vs KK Null, Lichens, Melt Banana, oVo, Part Wild Horses Mane On Both Sides, People Like Us, Steve Troman & Dan Nicholls Duo, Stinky Wizzleteat, Tweak Bird
+ talks, films, workshops, market place, tea room

Sunday 24th October 2pm – 12.30am
Tickets £35 BUY NOW
Headlined by Swans + Hallogallo
with Barn Owl, Black Sun Drum Corps, Bong, Factory Floor, Jailbreak feat. Chris Corsano + Heather Leigh, James Blackshaw, Master Musicians of Bukkake + Khyam Allami, Mugstar, Nisennenmondai, Peter Broderick, Pierre Bastien & Male Instrumenty, Voice Of The Seven Thunders, Zeni Geva
+ talks, films, workshops, market place, tea room

Weekend tickets £75 BUY NOW

* line up maybe subject to change

Capsule zine no.4 – this time put together by Mark Murphy
Containing interviews with Nicholas Bullen about Zine culture and sound artist Jony Easterby.

Independent Culture for Independent Students: ENGAGING NEW AUDIENCES IN BIRMINGHAM

Arguably, one of the biggest influxes of new people to the city of Birmingham is the thousands upon thousands of new students arriving here every September. In September 2007, I was one of them.

Upon arrival, I had very little knowledge of the city and what happens here apart from the events the student union were relentlessly promoting during freshers week. With loans providing a new found, short term wealth, the general consensus suggests to quickly consume as many £1 pints and 2 for 1 shots you can whilst vertical, and then pay a visit to the nauseating glamour of broad street (amongst others) to waste some more of that cash you’ll long for a few months down the line. Sure, the big night out, club culture clearly appeals to many and seems to do well at catering for much of the student population. However, I soon found myself becoming quickly disillusioned with a student lifestyle that I wasn’t interested in being a part of, yet seemingly was all that was presented to me. Something that I now understand to be a fallacy, but why didn’t I then?

The university I attend, without naming names (although I’m sure you can guess) has campuses across the city and whilst it offers a wide range of courses, it’s probably fair to say that many come under the general brackets of the creative arts and media. The students of which are exactly the sorts of creative types you’d expect to see filling live music events and engaging with the local cultural community. So why don’t they? Why do the West Midlands have much lower attendance for cultural events than other regions?

Well, there is the lack of late night public transport in the city, the actual geography and location of many of the better independent venues, making getting to and from particularly difficult for some (for piss poor students, a taxi fare is usually out of the question). What about the potential apathy of Birmingham audiences? This is something particularly noticeable in my fellow students, but perhaps, through no fault of their own.

It’s taken me the best part of three years here in Birmingham to fully discover and become involved in its vibrant, yet hidden underbelly of music, art and creative culture and I love it. Prompting discussion among peers however often results in blank faces; they don’t know it exists, just like I didn’t. Its not the fault of the city’s independent promoters or venues, they do the best they can with what resources they have, and in most cases they do a bloody good job that goes unnoticed. But Birmingham’s creative sector needs help with the students. Universities – open up the gates for access; let non-union posters go up around campuses, allow flyer distribution and evangelise about the city’s creative networks and many events. It’s no surprise that attendance figures in the union are dropping when all that’s offered is a spotty DJ with the latest Kaiser Chiefs record. Unions need programming and promoters need audiences. Opportunity knocks? We also need a council that does the same. Instead of attracting kids to Birmingham because they can spend their money in the same clubs, bars, restaurants and shops as any other large town in the country, sell Birmingham because it’s offering things that are unique to here.

So, to all the higher education establishments of Birmingham and to BCC, lend us a hand will you? Let’s grab these new audiences before they get lost in the chaff and show them all the real reasons to stay in Birmingham on completing their studies.
David Breese

Taken from our latest Capsule Zine
What are your thoughts?

Supersonic Festival needs YOU! Capsule’s internationally renowned festival runs 22nd – 24th October 2010 and there are 3 Internship opportunities Production, Design & Marketing Intern. You will receive valuable work experience and be credited as part of the core team that deliver Supersonic Festival.

NB this is not a full time position and would require some remote working, further details of the intern schedule can be supplied upon application.

Production Intern
Duration of the Internship: 4 Months August – November
Deadline for application: 21st May 2010
Interviews to be held on: 15th & 16th June 2010
Intern start date: August 2010

Job Description:
The Production Intern will work closely with the Logistics Director and Operations Manager assisting them in all of the production before, during and after the festival, and undertake other tasks as necessary and directed by Festival staff.

We are looking for someone who has:
- Excellent communication skills – both oral and written
-    Excellent personal skills
-    Excellent team player happy to get involved in all areas as and when required.
-    Attention to detail.
-    Able to work long hours before, during and after the festival if is required.
-    Excellent organisational and time management skills.
-    IT skills – Word, Excel, Internet,
-    Design skills will be a plus.

Please note, unfortunately we can only receive applications from people over 18 years of age. For further information & full job spec on the Production Internship for Supersonic, please contact us by email: admin[at]capsule.org.uk with ‘Production Internship‘ as the subject field.

Marketing Intern
Duration of the Internship: 6 Months. June – November 2010
Deadline for application: 21st May 2010
Interviews to be held on: 2nd& 3rd June 2010
Intern start date: June 2010

Job Description:
The Marketing Intern will work closely with the Festival & Communications Director and Marketing Assistant, assisting with the promotion & documentation of the festival and undertake other tasks as necessary and directed by Festival staff.

We are looking for someone who has:
-    Excellent communication skills – both oral and written
-    Good understanding of the music, ethos of the festival and the bands
-    Interest in music press. magazines, blogs, etc.
-    Self motivated
-    Excellent understanding of the online communications such as: Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Last F.M., Wordpress.
-    Excellent team player happy to get involved in all areas as and when required.
-    Able to work long hours before, during and after the festival if required.
-    Excellent organisational and time management skills.
-    Attention to detail.
-    IT skills – Word, Internet,
-    Design skills will be a plus, or basic understanding of image file formats for web and print.

Please note, unfortunately we can only receive applications from people over 18 years of age. For further information & full job spec on the Marketing Internship for Supersonic, please contact us by email: admin[at]capsule.org.uk with ‘Marketing Internship‘ as the subject field.

Design Intern
Duration of the Internship: 2 Months September / October 2010
Deadline for application: 21st May 2010
Interviews to be held on: 15th & 16th June 2010
Intern start date: September 2010

Job Description:
The Design Intern will work closely with Ian Richards of Heavy Object as well as the Festival Communications Director. And undertake other tasks as necessary and directed by Festival staff.

We are looking for someone who has:
-    Excellent design and illustration skills
-    Enthusiasm for unusual and non traditional design approaches
-    Excellent communication skills – both oral and written
-    An understanding and affinity to the Supersonic / Capsule ethos and brand
-    An ability to use design computer packages (illustrator/ photoshop / indesign / Flash / animations packages)
-    Attention to detail.
-    Excellent personal skills
-    Self motivated
-    Excellent team player happy to get involved in all areas as and when required.
-    Able to work long hours before, during and after the festival if is required.
-    Excellent organisational and time management skills.
-    IT skills – Word, Excel, Internet,
-    Your own computer or access to a computer will be essential as you will be expected to work remotely at some points in the internship.

Please note, unfortunately we can only receive applications from people over 18 years of age. For further information & full job spec on the Design Internship for Supersonic, please contact us by email: admin[at]capsule.org.uk with ‘Design Internship‘ as the subject field.

Early bird tix for Supersonic Festival have sold out in just 3 weeks! This years festival takes place from the 22nd – 24th October with special guests SWANS.
More line up announcements + selection of cakes coming soon.

Advanced weekend tickets are available from www.theticketsellers.co.uk
+ www.seetickets.com
For recommended hotels/travel/volunteers etc check www.supersonicfestival.com

Efterklang – Cutting Ice To Snow from Rumraket on Vimeo.
It is directed by Jeremiah Zagar and produced by Herzliya Films

Efterklang play in Birmingham on Thursday 29th of October at The Asylum in Hockley, support from Nancy Elizabeth.
Advanced tickets from www.thetisketsellers.co.uk Polar Bear in Kings Heath + Swordfish Birmingham city Centre

Join Ikon and the Bloors in Eastside to launch Hey for Lubberland!, their specially adapted canal boat, utilising geodesic design and dazzle camouflage. Music by Khyam Allami.

As part of the Supersonic Festival Simon & Tom Bloor’s boat will be moored near Ikon Eastside. Visitors can make short journeys, accompanied by soundtracks selected by artists performing at the Festival.

To reserve a place call Ikon on 0121 248 0708