CAPIBARA
Josh sits in his room for hours writing and recording songs, and Britt puts months and months into lyrics that have real meaning. It's a long drawn out process but only works with the two of them, nothing is ever written as a group, but the finished product is like a wall of sound!! Live its just the two of them as well, Britt singing and Josh playing live drums to a computer mixed onslaught of guitar riffs, through separate amps (computer nerd stuff). If your sad that there's not a full band on stage "close your eyes and pretend"
Wildcat, our album, was recorded over a period of about 6 months at Nickel and Dime Studios with Kris Samson (Ponderosa) in Avondale Estates and Orange Peel studios in Lp5 with Raheem Amlani (Guitarist for Scarab).
Review of Wildcat from Capibara by Adam of beatlanta...
SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2009
Capibara's latest endeavor titled Wildcat, is a 12 song streamlined magnum opus that kicks off with a ferocity not unexpected but unquestionably genuine. My first impression of Capibara was one of ordinary guise, but I was at best - completely wrong. I listened to a couple songs on their myspace and was not overly impressed but again, like I said, I was wrong. After failing attempts (they got too busy) to get others on my team to review the album, not because I didn't like it, but because they are better at it; I finally put the album on my computer and rocked out while doing some band research...the result was one of profound admiration. To paint that visual picture of comparison some so desperately desire I would dare you to think Hot Hot Heat meets booming fireworks shooting high into the air exploding with Rolling Stones falling to the ground as White Stripes and turning to Killer Mastodons, got it? Its a crazy mesh.
Describing themselves as Rock Rock Rock and music for the abject individualist on their myspace page, Capibara pulls from a variety of musical design that swirls fast paced post punk shreds with melodious, insightful lyrics with funky bass lines with a rock steady backbone. At times you can catch Wildcat turning to a perennial dark, harmonious, sometimes fraught and mysterious sophistication - resulting in a tangible experience that is perceptive and astute; extensive and deep rooted. That is however, quickly overturned as one song oozes into the next with such fantastic, fascinating flow that you will never get bored or lose the joy that Wildcat brings. In fact, I will say you will find it hard to turn your stereo down and even harder to part ways with this exhilarating album once you really get into it.
Wildcat screams raw and uninhibited and really sets an appropriate mood for what is experienced and what Capibara intends one to experience when listening to their music. The music speaks to the occasional downtroddeness of today's youth culture but I found it to be uplifting for the most part, despite its sharp and tangible lyrics that speak of everything from the experience and hardships of city living to the general complacency of living and loving in today's society. One song to the next you will encounter a train of well told stories ripping through on rails of funk and post punk, borderline new wave with sporadic southern rock influence. I will say that I love Wildcat and Capibara has succeeded in making a real fan out of me. I am more sorry now, after listening to Wildcat, that I didn't make it out to the album release show in May and I can honestly say that Capibara is on the top of my list of shows to see; and they should be on yours too. Wildcat does not disappoint and I would be expecting major advances coming from Capibara in the months and years to come.
Email Interview with Britt by Adam of beatlanta...
CAPIBARA - recenlty had their CD release show for their latest album titled Wildcat. I am most displeased that I did not make it to the show but I did manage to send off for an interview and ask the band a few questions. Here is the interview with Britt from the band...
Tell us when the band formed and who does what?
Capibara formed in Summer of 2007. Joshua Lamar writes the music. Britt writes the lyrics.
Your lyrics seem very real and insightful, linear. What inspires your lyric writing?
What drives my lyric writing is my compulsion to tell a story, paint a verbal picture and my border line obsession with words.
How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it before?
I've heard people describe us as a White Stripes meets the Killers and Coldplay. That's what just one guy said once.
What is the name of the new album and who worked on it?
Capibara's Wildcat was recorded with Kris Samson (Ponderosa) @ Avondale Estates at what was Nickel & Dime Studios. The vocals were recorded with Raheem Amlani @ Orange Peel Studios in L5Ps.
How do you feel about file sharing?
I agree that sharing SOME files is helpful. But not ALL songs should be available to share.
How do you feel about the future of the music industry?
The future of the music industry, to me, with technology the way it is, only going to become more diverse. Diverse meaning that they're are only going to be more genres, sub-genres and what not. Very personalized if you will. Countless genres to meet countless peoples individual tastes who ultimately have almost unlimited access to it at all times.
Have you toured out of the area much?
Capibara hasn't toured much yet. We've played all over Atlanta, played Augusta, Carrollton, Chattanooga
Would you agree to the stance of many in the business, and myself researching the idea, that it is nearing the time to abandon the physical album and turn completely digital?
Don't think it's quite time to abandon a tangible form of music media. There are countless people in this country and all over the world who won't have an iPod or PC for many years to come. Also, artists need ways to get the word out. So, handing out free CDs @ shows and on the street won't be going away for quite awhile either - unless thumb drives become really cheap.
What local bands would you recommend to your fans and fans of local music?
Mastodon, Attractive 80s Women, Coathangers
How do you advertise your shows?
Flyers, myspace bulletins, pass out 3 or 4 song burned CDs around town, Post to the event calendar of Creative Loafing and INsite, Facebook event invites, etc.
-- ak