On March 3rd 2009, Philip Selway and Ed O’Brien from Radiohead agreed to do a small interview via email with ExitMusic Argentina, kindly arranged by their manager, Chris Hufford. The interview was done to coincide with the band’s first visit to South America.
I’d like to thank Italo from RadioheadPeru and Michael from CitizenInsane.eu for their help on contacting the band and brainstorming ideas for the questions.
Philip Selway
Q: There are rumours that you are working on a solo project, produced by John McCusker. Is that true?
It’s true that I’ve been working on solo material over the past year or so. I’m working with Ian Davenport. We’ve been working in the gaps in the Radiohead schedule – it’s been quite a busy few years for the band so progress has been gradual.
Q: Can you give us some sort of update about where in the development process the album is?
Well, bar a few lyrics, all the songs are written. I’m getting together with some of the musicians from the 7 Worlds Collide project, later in the year, to record them all.
Q: We’ve recently found out that you can play guitar very well, what makes me wonder what are you doing in these songs? Do you play everything on every song or are you switching off and on between instruments?
When we get together later in the year, I’ll be singing and playing guitar. However, I’ve been a one-man band when working on the demos – clever editing makes you think that you play more instruments than you actually can.
Q: Do you have an estimate date for its release?
No – but I’m hoping that the record will be finished by mid to late autumn [northern hemisphere seasons]
Q: When did you first get into songwriting?
At the same time as I got into drumming, around when I was sixteen. I stopped writing, for quite some time, after Radiohead got signed – I wanted to focus on drumming. However, I got the urge again about four years ago, and it has been a productive time since then.
Q: Are you considering doing some live performances in support of the album? Some small gigs or perhaps the occasional radio or TV appearance?
I made my ‘live debut’ in New Zealand in January. I hope I’ve got a few performances left in me, but no plans yet.
Q: Could you imagine yourself taking lead vocals on your own songs at Radiohead gigs?
No, probably not.
Q: I’ve read in Q Magazine’s 2008 Special edition about Radiohead songs that it was you who gave the final touches to «Sail to the Moon» in 2003. Is it true?
Hhmmmm ….. that’s not how I remember that session.
Q: Was there any particular song that took you a considerable amount of time to get straight in the studio?
«Videotape» (In Rainbows). From rehearsals, right through to the studio, it took me about two years to find the ‘1’ in the bar – and even then, someone had to hit me round the head to show me where it was.
Ed O’Brien
Q: I’ve read in an interview that you’ve got some songs of your own that didn’t fit Radiohead albums in the past. Have you thought of releasing a solo album too?
Yes, definitely … but I’m not sure how it would work.
Q: If so, have you started working on that or is it just a project for the future?
It’s a project for the future.
Q: Could you imagine yourself taking lead vocals on your own songs at Radiohead gigs?
It’s quite a daunting task; but yeah who knows .. it’s good to get out of the comfort zone and that’s one way of doing it.
Q: In the liner notes of In Rainbows you thank Jonny Marr for giving you advice. What was that about?
I first met Johnny when we worked on the first 7 Worlds Collide project. Now you have to remember that he was one of the main reasons I wanted to play the guitar … often when you met your heroes they often disappoint because no one can possibly live up to those expectations. Well, Johnny was different, it was like meeting a soul brother. I tell him he’s the older brother I never had. I love the man. Not only is he an absolutely inspirational musician, he’s an amazing human being and after meeting him I set out on a different course in life. I tell him everything and seek out his advice … and because he knows and loves bands, he gives great counsel.
Questions for both
Q:Looking back on the seven albums you made so far, what are your proudest studio moments? Which are the 4 or 5 songs that make you feel proudest of your guitar work or drumming?
Ed: To be honest, I don’t think of individual moments of pride. There are things that I appreciate collectively.
Philip: «Just», «Airbag», «Morning Bell», «Pyramid Song», most of the songs on In Rainbows.
7 Worlds Collide
Q: Both of you have recently reunited with Neil Finn for the 7 Worlds Collide project. There were lots of new faces this time. Did you miss anybody in particular from the 2001 shows?
Ed: I really missed Eddie Vedder. He has a great sense of humour and obviously that voice is something else.
Philip: The 2009 line-up was fantastic, although it was a shame that Eddie Vedder couldn’t be there in person – he did contribute a great song though.
Q: This time the process seemed different as well, for new material was written especially for the album. How was it to work in a different environment and with different people to the ones you’re used to?
Philip: It was a very inspiring and supportive environment to work in – so many talented musicians who were all generous-spirited and, above all, very good company. It was a very ambitious project to be part of, so at many points I felt out of my comfort zone – but that can only ever be a good thing.
Q: Besides Phil’s song («The Ties That Bind Us»), did you contribute to the project with any more songs? Have you collaborated with other musicians on their songs?
Ed: I basically co-wrote with Johnny, Neil and Liam Finn [«Bodhisattva Blues»]. And it was fantastic. I had this nice little outline of a song, chords but no lyrics or vocal melody so I sat down with Johnny who threw his thing into it and his genius arranging. Neil came up with a verse melody and lyrics pretty much on the spot and Liam came in with the vocal hook on the chorus .. it was a magic day in the studio… the Wilco chaps got stuck into it too. And they are a wonderful band. they have a weight that they bring as musicians
Philip: I recorded one other song, and played on other songs by Johnny Marr, Don MacGlashen and Sharon Finn.
Q: Neil’s rendition of «Bodysnatchers» was very interesting. Who came up with the idea of playing that one live?
Ed: Well, Philip and I thought it might be cool this time if when we do the shows we did a Radiohead song and it was Johnny who said he’d like to have a crack at Bodysnatchers and Neil was up for singing it.
Philip: That was Neil’s idea.
Tour
Q: Have you heard anything about latin american fans?
Philip: Having just got back from the tour, I can say that I was overwhelmed by the response from latin american fans. It’s just a shame that it took us so long to make it in the first place.
Q: Did you expect the tickets in some countries to sell out in such a short time?
Philip: Certainly not – it was very exciting to hear about that and added to our anticipation of the tour.
Q: Can we expect surprises in the setlist? (songs that weren’t played in 2008 that you’ve rehearsed recently)
Philip: Bet no-one thought we’d start the last set in Santiago with «Creep»! Oddly, it worked.
Q: Considering that you play 2 shows in Mexico, Brazil and Chile. Why are you playing only one show in Argentina?
Philip: We had a fantastic time in Buenos Aires. It’s a great city and a truly memorable audience, so really sorry we only played one show.
Q: Would you consider coming back to South America in a ‘pre-album’ tour? like the one you did in Spain and Portugal in 2002 and in the UK in 2006
Philip: Hhhmmmm ….. sounds appealing.
Q: The date for Buenos Aires’ show is quite significant for us. On March 24th we commemorate the «Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice», a date when we remember all the people who disappeared and were tortured – as a matter of fact, in a venue that’s not far away from ‘Club Ciudad’ – during the last military dictatorship in 1976. Did you know anything about this? Are you familiar with the ‘Mothers of Plaza de Mayo’ and their work?
Philip: None of this was lost on us. I hope we honoured the Day of Remembrance for Truth and Justice commemorations.
General questions
Q: What music excites the two of you right now?
Philip: Currently listening to The Hazards of Love by The Decembrists.
Q: Do you remember any alternate ideas for album titles and tracklists from your previous albums? For instance, there were apparently 7 alternatives to Kid A at one point and ‘Kinetic’ is rumoured to once have had the place of ‘Idioteque’ on the album. Do you remember anything of that sort?
Philip: Many, many ideas are considered and rejected along the way.
Q: Many fans still like ‘Spooks’ a lot. Was this recorded with Nigel during the In Rainbows sessions at all? And is this a piece that was written by Jonny?
Philip: Jonny wrote it, but unfortunately we didn’t record it.
Q: What are the titles of these two songs, which you soundchecked in 2006 and 2008?
«I wish you’d come to your senses / come to your senses / somehow»
Philip: ‘Come To Your Senses’, actually.
«you got small holes in your eyes / hovering birds of prey / before they come / wake me before they come»
Philip: No idea.