Interview: Capra
Capra is a collective of five talents space bound and down with the expression of sound. In early 2006, Los Angeles brought these Funky Astronauts together in musical matrimony; a collision of five perspectives crafted together for the world’s listening pleasure.
4 years later they’ve released their self-released EP “Gypsy Jones”, signed to Hollywood Records, and shortly after their follow up single “Low Day.” Capra is currently preparing for the release of their long awaited debut album due out summer 2011.
The last single from these guys is ‘If I Was (Michael Jackson)’, and introduce you to a unique mixture of vintage rock, rock & roll with a soulful funk of sunshine pop. In other words: a band you’re gonna hear a lot more of in the future!
What’s the story of Capra? How did you all find each other?
The story of Capra is like the nativity story. A couple of camels, a few goats, a virgin who somehow got pregnant, and a group of dudes who like to hang around and carry gold in their pockets. But that’s neither here nor there.
We found each other while we were all taking the test to become police officers and we all looked at each other and in an instant, we knew we had to drop our clipboards and play some Sex Rock. It was almost as instant as folgers in your cup.
Your long awaited debut album is set to be released this summer? Anything you can tell us about it?
All I can say is that this thing has been marinating in liquid mercury like a USDA Prime T-Bone steak at Morton’s. It’s got grissel, it’s got fat, it’s got blood, but I’ll be damed if there isn’t a solid back bone in there just waiting to be tossed to a German Sheperd at the end of the night.
How would you describe your sound those who aren’t familiar with Capra?
If you rubbed together Prince, Dre, Marvin Gaye, Gorrillaz, Muse, Zeppelin, and Michael Jackson…you would get nothing that even sounds close to us. But toss those kids in a blender with some whey protein powder and a little bit of danger, sex, youth and THC, I think you would win in that game of cricket.
If I Was (Michael Jackson)
You’re signed to Hollywood Records in LA. How’s the music scene there? Is it hard for unsigned artists to be heard?
The music scene here is like the hunting scene in a vegetarian village. Sure you can take a couple of shots but all you get is a whole lot of misfires and if your lucky, a vegan girl who has had one too many carrot gingertini’s. The real scene is across the land. Where your sure to bring home a prized moose that can feed a large democracy. Unsigned artists should take their banjos and play music tennis with middle America. Rack up a couple million youtube hits and you will be sure to get a few drunk A&R cats scratching at your door. This day and age it doesn’t even have to be good. It just has to be relevant. Longevity is another thing.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?
You ever try to put together a puzzle? I’m not talking crossword here, I’m talking jigsaw. Now after years of vacations to Big Bear Lake and Pismo Beach, you sure as hell are bound to have a few pieces in the belly of a seagull. In order to be successful you have to have all of the pieces. So it’s been about as hard as trying to trace down that mangy seagull and to feed him a laxative wrapped in turkey bacon.
Who write your songs? And what inspires you?
I am pretty sure every other musician we have ever heard of writes our songs. We just round up the sound waves and make mashed potatoes out of them. We have many inspirations. But most of them are cartoon characters and mystical creatures.
What You Say
Do you enjoy performing live? How do you know when you’ve had a good gig? Any memorable live experiences you could tell us about?
Do clowns like to juggle? Do lions like to eat antelopes? Sure, a few times a pin goes flying into a German tourist on the boardwalk, or the antelope happened to be a tree climber, but our shows are always a good time. We know we’ve had a good gig when we are all smiles after the show. We once played behind a donut shop at 7 in the morning at a marathon and played “Eye of the Tiger” over and over again until one of the runners threw a water bottle at us shouting “Fuck You!” . I’d say that was pretty memorable.
