Capital To Release 'bright Lights' On Label Fandango
1st July 2008
Artist Profile »
A big warm hug of a Label Fandango one sheet
The Band: capital
The Record: ‘BRIGHT LIGHTS’ / ‘GOT A LOVER’
The Formats: STRICTLY LIMITED 7” & DOWNLOAD
The Release Date: AUGUST 11TH 2008
The Record Company: LABEL FANDANGO (cat no: galagos 021)
The Story: capital (that’s right, there are no capital letters in capital) formed in Eastbourne, Sussex in December 2007. They consist of Nick Webb (vocals), Joel Roberts (keyboards), James Moir (bass), Mike Dawson (guitar) and Daniel Thorpe (drums). Up until five minutes ago they were called Passengers until taste and common sense prevailed.
** Very much a product of their unfashionable coastal surroundings capital create broodingly sensitive mini-anthems about escape, about dreaming, about reaching for the melodic stars. Debut single ‘Bright Lights’ is one of those songs: “Do you ever venture to the sea?” they wonder, getting themselves into a synth-drenched pop palaver and fretting about people who can’t see the big picture.
** One thing is for sure – capital are very much aware of that big picture and have heard the big music. As enthusiastic sixteen year-olds four fifths of capital shook the foundations of the promenade with the raw indiepop of Fracture. Then, when that line-up, ahem, fractured capital reached deep into their souls and searched for a new formula. Freed from the scene-based shackles of London Town it was a painstaking process that initially saw them take four months to finish the first batch of songs they were actually happy with.
** It was also one that ultimately successfully mixed their love of The Cure, Tears For Fears and ‘Boy’-era U2 with a cannily modern radio-friendly sound which has seen them being chosen by BBC 6 Music’s Steve Lamacq as his Favourite New Band fully six weeks before their debut single is released. Not for nothing did producer Andy Green (Keane, Scouting For Girls, The Feeling) contact the band a couple of months ago offering his services.
** And not for nothing did fierce panda management hurl itself into the fray after encountering the band’s myspace two days into 2008 and being frankly astounded by the quality of the songs – two of which, ‘Bright Lights’ and ‘Got A Lover’, are being released here in their pure original demo form. Back then the band had played all of two live shows. Six months down the line and following various experiments with tweed jackets, backing tracks, new names and old school onstage dynamics the capital gig total is creeping into double figures - count four as an expanded five piece since drummer Dan joined the ranks - and they are now ready to make those windswept seaside dreams a reality…
** capital play the following live shows, some of which are in – yes – the capital:
July 1st: LONDON Camden Dublin Castle (Club Fandango)
August 2nd: PORTSMOUTH Havana
August 7th: LONDON Great Portland Street 229 (Club Fandango)
www.myspace.com/capitalmyspace
www.myspace.com/fiercepandamanagement
