Kristian Craig Robinson, aka Capitol K, is a multi-instrumentalist and record producer with a long history in London's most interesting under-the-radar music places and spaces. With a musical story like his, one can expect side streams. His new record, Birdtrapper, is "the sound of an initiation rave in a utopian hidden village", and his latest exploration of Mediterranean audio mythos following on from Goatherder (FAI 014LP, 2018). The six track mini-album was similarly formed from ritualistic improvisations performed in Malta (where Capitol K was born), using home-made flutes, reed pipe, bamboo percussion, drum machine, bass guitar, but this time features a wider use of synthesizers, with the alternative dance floor in mind. Where Goatherder was an awakening of genetic primitivism, Birdtrapper is an evocation of sonic bird callers, proto-rave abandon, ambient resonance, and an ecstatic captive state, along with the previous work's visions of hunters, temples and scrub land music. Goatherder caused a quiet kind of quake and was beloved by The Quietus, BBCR3, and 6Music. For the last seven years, K has been behind the consoles at the heavily influential Total Refreshment Centre, recording and mixing records with the likes of Trash Kit, The Comet Is Coming, Rozi Plain, Alabaster DePlume, Dry Cleaning, Flamingods, Cykada, Ibibio Sound Machine, BAS JAN, and John Johanna. It's not just recording; he's also become an influential, if understated, mentor to a new wave of producers and bands. His experience in studio environments is long and storied, including stints at Studio Plateaux on an island in the middle of the Thames and in the Royal Symphonia's squatted rehearsal rooms. Capitol K has released seven albums and the Birdtrapper follows a legacy of influential releases on early 2000s electronica labels including Planet Mu and XL. Aside from this he also runs the record label Faith & Industry. It's a friends and family, love not money affair and he has released music by Champagne Dub, John Johanna, Super Best Friends Club, Blue House, and Clémentine March. Clear vinyl.
