Radiohead Heads Radio

Thom just released his fantastic score for the Italian film Confidenza and we dive into the earthy and sometimes spooky songs! We discuss how different and at times similar it is to Thom’s first film score Suspiria and what the music possibly reveals about the film’s mysterious plot. Also, the newspile is filled with all sorts of goodies including Ed inviting Phil to play on his upcoming album, Colin appearing in some behind the scenes footage of Nick Cave’s new album, OK Computer influencing the composers of X-men ’97, an impressive online milestone for Radiohead, and a very unfortunate cover of Karma Police. Plus, we prove we’re REAL Radiohead heads with a fun new game. This is what we get!

The Smile just finished the first leg of their European tour and as always there is plenty to talk about. Rocking new songs, Thom getting cranky with chatty crowds, and a fantastic one-off performance with the London Contemporary Orchestra. Also, we discuss the Smile’s eclectic playlists for BBC Radio 6 Music, an interesting interview with Noah Yorke’s “industrial” music duo Hex Girlfriend, Jonny’s upcoming eight-hour organ piece, Colin’s first solo release, and alas, more Radiohead music used in prestige tv. Come for the Smile, stay for our most fun song sommelier yet!

Now that we’ve marinated fully in THE Smile’s Wall of Eyes’s psychedelic juices and read ALL of the reviews, we have lots to chat about. Which songs have we grown to love, how is Tom Skinner different than Phil, and as always, what is Thom singing about? Plus, we listened to the whole Q&A the Smile did in London and there are so many great moments to talk about. We also rummage through the newspile and discuss Phil’s lovely live album from December, Jonny’s Steve Reich performance in Manchester, Thom’s upcoming Italian film score, the wild origins of “Radiohead”, and why Creep is a good karaoke song. No secret messages here!

It’s 2024, the year of the Smile! We had the pleasure of attending the Wall of Eyes On Film cinematic experience. We share our thoughts on hearing the record for the first time in surround sound, seeing some intriguing behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the record, and the delightful music video for Friend of a Friend (SPOILERS: 1:42:25 - 1:47:05) . Also, we dig through the newspile and chat about Phil’s cozy Tiny Desk Concert performance, an interesting Radiohead list from writer of This Isn’t Happening, Steven Hyden, as well as Ed’s love of BOSS delay pedals, more interviews with Thom and Stanley, and a couple of head-scratching covers of beloved Kid A tracks.

Fall is here and so is a GIANT newspile. The biggest piece of news is, of course, the announcement of the Smile’s second album, Wall of Eyes. We discuss the tracklist and which songs we’re most excited about. We also chat about the self-titled single and intriguing music video directed by Thom and Jonny’s old pal PT Anderson. In addition, the newspile is filled with items like Radiohead holiday merch, Phil’s concert here in NYC, a peek into Thom and Dajana’s Roman holiday house, a rare interview with Jonny, another Noah Yorke song, celebrity Radiohead tattoos, Karma Police showing up on tv, and plenty more. This is what you get when you listen to us!

Summer vacay is over and it’s time to get back to it. We pore over a fantastic interview Thom gave for an upcoming book all about singing. He reveals his pre-show preparations, his favorite singers, and the one time he got so high he forgot the words to arguably the simplest song in their catalog. Also, Sime went all the way to the UK to see Thom and Stanley’s art in person! As always the newspile, it overfloweth! We chat about Jonny, Phil, and Colin going out on different tours, Noah Yorke’s new, jazzy song, another movie trailer using a Radiohead cover, and Robbie Williams reaching out to Radiohead with an odd request. Spoilers for the last season of Peaky Blinders at 36:00-43:33.

Summer’s here and the time is right for some outdoor music. We saw the Smile at a tennis court in Queens and we brought along our friend and confirmed millennial, Eddie Hernandez. Together we geek out on the Smile’s tight set and which moments truly blew us away. Also, we chat about what rockstar stuff Colin is up to, a new pop song that suspiciously sounds like Radiohead, Phil’s reinterpretation of a beautiful Nick Drake song, and Thom’s diverse and intense NTS radio playlist. Plus, we play an exciting game that tests both Kristina and Eddie’s true knowledge of Radiohead titles.

Twenty years ago Radiohead released their lengthy fifth album and we want to celebrate it in all its chaotic glory! We reminisce about Hail to the Thief’s release in 2003 and how its themes resonante still today. Plus we compare Thom’s alternate playlist to the official release. We also discuss at length Jarak Qaribak, Jonny Greenwood’s fantastic collab with Dudu Tassa. As always the newspile is ever-growing as we cover the Smile’s impending NA tour, when the next album might drop, Stanley Donwood’s silly fake band names, Creep being used (yet again) in different media, and Kristina’s sleuthing around an unreleased the Smile song that curiously resembles a song from the 70s. Pay attention!

We’ve got a jam-packed new episode with a newspile that is huge and all over the place. We chat about Radiohead’s music showing up yet again in all movies, trailers, and tv shows (YELLOWJACKET SPOILERS at 5:40-12:00), Ed’s recent recording updates, a couple more pleasant interviews with Phil, some new and unlikely collabs with musicians AND food, and Thom’s son Noah addressing being a nepo baby. Also, we went to the US premiere of Thom’s two-piano composition "Don’t Fear the Light" and have many thoughts about it plus all of the other intriguing music on the bill.

It’s time to discuss our favorite gentleman drummer, Phil Selway. His new album, Strange Dance, has arrived and we give our thoughts on it. Did we like it? How does it compare to his other albums? Is he singing about a breakup? Plus, we chat about Phil’s many interviews where he talks about his first instrument, why Meeting People is Easy isn’t accurate, and the review that still hurts so many years later. As always, we dig through the newspile and find Radiohead art appearing in prestige tv, Jonny’s old music teacher making an announcement, a couple of noteworthy anniversaries, and a truly inspired mash-up for the ages. Plus, we play a challenging game that tests Kristina’s knowledge of Radiohead lyrics.

So much is going on with the Radiohead lads that we had to do a full-on newspile episode! We talk about Phil’s two connected music videos from his forthcoming solo album, plus his many fascinating interviews. We also cover the news about the Smile’s upcoming North American tour, their Tiny Desk and KEXP performances, and their clothing choices. In addition, we discuss the amazing Mario 64 rendition of In Rainbows, where Rolling Stone put Thom in their best singers list, and a song collaboration by Noah Yorke and the son of another famous musician.

It may be a new year but we’re not done with 2022! We recap the Smile’s North American tour and go over more new songs, highlights, and some strange moments. We also talk about our favorite music from the year that isn’t the Smile and our predictions for 2023. Plus, we dig through the ole newspile and discuss Colin playing bass for Nick Cave, Thom’s new, moody Sonos mix, and Radiohead’s music showing up in some unexpected places. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Smile’s North American tour is finally happening and we were lucky enough to nab tickets! We divided and conquered two different nights, so in this episode we compare our concert experiences with each other. Who got to hear more songs? Who was feet away from Thom, Jonny, and Tom? Who almost witnessed a bro fight? We go through both of the setlists, discuss the highlights and breakdowns, and re-listen to the unreleased gems. Plus, the news pile has plenty of Jonny award news, Ed’s one-of-a-kind guitar auction, Phil’s lush new solo single, the other Tom’s jazzy EP, and Thom’s kids’ foray into modeling and music. And over in the Cover Corner, we rave over a fantastic new version of a beloved In Rainbows b-side!

Halloween is upon us, so we decided to try out a spooky movie sync: the 2018 eerie sci-fi thriller Annihilation and the Smile’s debut album. The results were uncanny and sometimes astonishing! We also sift through the ole news pile and chat about Radiohead on Pitchfork’s latest Best of the 90s lists, Ed’s awkward post about Queen Elizabeth, Thom’s moody new Sonos mix, and an exceptional Creep cover to end all Creep covers (fingers crossed). Plus, we play a mysterious new game...listen if you dare.

It’s summertime so you know what that means...more the Smile! We discuss their European tour and the many new and exciting songs they debuted. We also chat about Ed’s fantastic interview with Shaun Keaveny where he talks about his role in Radiohead, his first dream festival line-up and Radiohead’s uncertain future. Are they done? Will they announce their retirement or go quietly into the night? Will we get at least one more album? Plus, we look at what Phil is up to and Thom lends a song to a help out the sharks. They’re misunderstood!

It’s OK Computer’s 25th birthday so it’s time to party like it’s 1997! We eagerly dive into the various retrospectives releases for the occasion, including an illuminating track-by-track breakdown with Nigel for BBC Radio 6 Music, and we finally settle the debate of whether or not OK Computer is a concept album (spoiler: it’s not). We also cover all the latest news about The Smile, including ANOTHER brand new song, more visualizers and a possible North American tour!? Plus we check in on what Colin’s up to and vibe out with a new Reckoner remix.

It has arrived: our 50th episode! Oh, and also The Smile’s debut album, A Light for Attracting Attention. We’re very excited to discuss the record, the intriguing new music videos, the start of their European tour, and why The Smile ISN’T Radiohead. Plus, we chat about Thom and Stanley’s creepy drawings exhibit, Thom’s slightly less anxious Sonos playlist, and what the rest of the Radiohead boys are up to.

We’ve dug our way out of the ever-growing news pile to bring you another the-Smile-filled episode. We give our thoughts on the album cover art, tracklist, and the wildly different music videos. Plus, we dissect Thom and Jonny’s amusing interview on the Smartless podcast and Thom’s fantastic semi-acoustic solo show in the Swiss alps. We also jam down to another Jonny Jamboree with award disappointments and his fat twitter thumbs.

It’s our first episode of 2022 and it is packed with New Year’s goodies! We are pumped after watching The Smile's livestreamed performances in the round. From Thom’s hair to spooky synths to Jonny’s showboating, there is plenty to talk about. Also, we squeeze more out of the Kid A Mnesia reissue with Fear Stalks the Land and the ginormous art book. Plus, we discuss Radiohead donating to another charity auction and have an exciting, extended Jonny Jamboree. We’re in cloud cuckoo land!

Put on your explorer hats, because we’re finally diving into the mesmerizing and surreal (and free) Kid A Mnesia Exhibition. And we’re not doing it alone, we’re bringing along our gamer friend and returning guest Jay Schmidt! We discuss our initial expectations, our favorite moments, and the history of band-centric video games. Is it a game? Does it make sense? Time will tell!