Thanks to all who came to this show at the magnificent Town Hall. It was a sell out show and both MTO and Micronormous were wonderful.

The Times review by Stephen Dalton:

With a rocket that can count up to ten in different languages, a toy guitar, a Speak and Spell and a creepy-looking Hula Barbie, no Orchestra comes anywhere close to being like Modified Toy Orchestra.

Read the full Brum live review here
Pictures: Katja Ogrin, Words: Ross Cotton

Next Capsule show is 29th September at Hare and Hounds – avant folk artist Josephine Foster performing a special collection of traditional Spanish folk songs along with the Victor Herrero band, support from sound artist Swallows.Tickets can be purchased in Polar Bear, Swordfish and here

The first lady of avant-folk Josephine Foster and her partner Victor Herrero present their interpretation of the songs that make up Federico Garcia Lorca’s “Las Canciones Populares Espanolas”, a collection of popular Spanish folk songs that had been banned during General Franco’s dictatorship in the 1940’s.  The songs survive today as part of the Spanish sub-conscious and their reinterpretation, on their album Anda Jaleo, is intended to highlight the persistence of popular music.

Foster’s voice sounds like it’s emerging from some dusty wartime vinyl, with an operatic tone probably best described as sounding a bit like a 1930’s Kate Bush.  You could also liken it with Bjork and Joanna Newsom, but it’s so eccentric, it’s really difficult to compare.

Victor Herrero grew up in a monastery build by Franco just outside Madrid, which ties in nicely with the ‘popular music triumphing over an autocratic dictator’ theme to the album.  He comes with he’s own live band, The Victor Herrero Band, who Josephine describes as being like “a Andalusian jug band playing very energetic and animated music”.  The combination of Josephine and Victor creates a sound like very little else out there.

To give you some idea of what to expect, here’s Josephine and Victor performing ‘Los Contrabandistas De Ronda’::

Josephine Foster and the Victor Herrero Band play the Hare & Hounds, Kings Heath, Birmingham on Wednesday / 29 / September 2010.  Advance tickets cost £10, and you can buy one by clicking on these words, or by popping into Polar Bear (York Road, Kings Heath) / Swordfish Records (Temple Street, Birmingham).

On Saturday Modified Toy Orchestra were featured on BBC News demonstrating some of the toys that make up the orchestra.

To watch the video follow this link::  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11176344

And don’t forget they play Birmingham Town Hall on Wednesday night.  Limited tickets are still available from here::  http://www.thsh.co.uk/view/modified-toy-orchestra-presents-plastic-planet

On Wednesday / 08 / September, Modified Toy Orchestra are performing at Birmingham Town Hall.

Modified Toy Orchestra make experimental electronic music.  But, unlike most experimental electronic music there are no laptops, no midi, no samplers and no synthesisers.  In fact, no conventional instruments are used at all.  Instead, a series of children’s electronic toys, rescued from car boot sales, have been modified to utilise new connections within each toy, liberating the previously disregarded, surplus value always held within their circuits.  This is sure to be an unforgettable performance within the wonderful surroundings of the Birmingham Town Hall.

Here’s Brian Duffy, the project originator, on BBC Breakfast demonstrating some of the instruments to a couple of bemused presenters::

And here’s the orchestra playing live at Supersonic 2006::

Tickets for the show are on sale now and are available from here:: http://www.thsh.co.uk/view/modified-toy-orchestra-presents-plastic-planet

Supersonic Festival individual day line up

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

Supersonic needs YOU!

Capsule’s internationally renowned festival runs 22nd to 24th October 2010 and there’s plenty of opportunities to get involved as a volunteer. The festival is small enough for everyone involved to gain not just an overview of how the festival works, but to give real value and be part of a dynamic team.

We need a team of volunteers to help deliver the festival over the weekend of the event itself – we are looking for people to work over the festival weekend 22nd -24th October and in the run up to Supersonic from early October onwards. We expect a minimum of 12 hrs over the festival period in exchange for a weekend wristband.

In addition we are looking for professional quality photographers to help us document the festival

How to apply:
To apply send an email to volunteer[at]capsule.org.uk
Mark in the SUBJECT of the email VOLUNTEER or PHOTOGRAPHER

We will send you an application form, which you need to fill out and email back to us before the deadline which is the 21st September. There will then be a meeting on the evening of the 22nd of September to find out more about the festival and to meet the team.

Please note, unfortunately we can only receive applications from people over 18 years of age.

For further info about the festival check: http://www.supersonicfestival.com

Please feel free to spread the word.

We asked Birminghams very own answer to John Peel, Little Chris of Brum Cast fame to put together three podcasts featuring a taster of bands performing at this years Supersonic Festival to give you an insight to what’s on offer. This is the first one featuring a great selection for your aural delight, enjoy!

Playlist as follows!
1. Necro Deathmort – I fought the law and the law won because fighting is against the law (4:01)
2. Melt Banana – Mind Thief (1:44)
3. Dead Fader – Autumn Rot (3:46)
4. Fukpig – Die Bastard (0:59)
5. Neu! – Hallo Gallo (10:07)
6. Nisennenmondai – Pop Group (6:21)
7. Khyam Allami – Taqsim Nahawand (4:40)
8. Tweak Bird – Spaceships (3:30)
9. Pierre Bastien – L’Orchestre Thermo-Dynamique (4:57)
10. Godflesh – Like Rats (4:27)
11. Swans – New Mind (5:13)
12. Lichens – Kirilian Auras (11:33)
13. Factory Floor – Lying (5:07)
14. Napalm Death – Continuing War on Stupidity (3:10)
15. Bong – Wizards Of Krull (Excerpt) (6:21)
16. People Like Us – The Doody Waltz (5:54)

More info about the festival check www.supersonicfestival.com
Tickets are available from www.theticketsellers.co.uk

During this year’s Supersonic you are invited to enter the tiny musical world of Pierre Bastien & Male Instrumenty, bringing together the French composer and surrealist inventor together with the Polish toy orchestra for a very special performance entitled ‘Toy Music’.

Pierre Bastien has been building musical machinery since the 1970s and has an expansive practice as a musician, composer and sound artist. Male Instrumenty is a five piece orchestra of toys and small instruments from Wrocław, Poland. Founded in 2006, Małe Instrumenty (meaning Small Instruments) explore an exciting and diverse sound world through their huge collection of small instruments.

http://www.maleinstrumenty.pl

http://www.pierrebastien.com/

Supersonic Festival 2010:
Friday: £20, Sat/Sun: £35, Weekend: £75 (+ booking fee)

Available from:
www.theticketsellers.co.uk

Weekend Tickets from:
www.seetickets.com