Colin Greenwood on His Photography, Nick Cave, and Radiohead’s Reunion

Speaking with Kyle Meredith, Radiohead’s Colin Greenwood opens up about his new photography book, How To Disappear: A Photographic Portrait of Radiohead, which captures the band’s journey from 2003’s Hail to the Thief to 2016’s A Moon Shaped Pool. The book offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at Radiohead, a band known for its mystique, and includes personal photos interspersed with words of reflection on the band’s middle years—years when they were neither in their initial rocket to fame nor at a point of nostalgia. Greenwood credits Nick Cave for helping him frame the concept of the book, finding beauty in the “middle years” of a band’s career, when they’re just getting on with business, far from the sensationalism of early success or later decline. The bassist jokes about the band’s reluctance to be photographed but reflects on how supportive his bandmates were of his passion for photography. The book’s influences include famed photographers like Gary Winogrand and Robert Frank, and Greenwood talks about how he tried to emulate their documentary style in his own work, capturing the candid moments of band life. The interview delves into the band’s creative process, particularly how the environments they recorded in influenced their sound, from haunted 15th-century manor houses during OK Computer to derelict country estates for In Rainbows. Greenwood recounts how the physical spaces became part of the album’s DNA, lending atmosphere and reverb to their iconic sound. Greenwood also reflects on his bass-playing origins, his love for classic soul music, and the powerful influence of American culture on the band’s music. He mentions his recent work with Nick Cave, playing bass on Cave’s new album, and how the band’s hiatus allowed him to explore other creative avenues. As Radiohead approaches its 40th anniversary, Greenwood hints that the band recently reunited for a jam session and is excited about what’s next, though he’s careful not to reveal too much about their future plans.

Listen to Radiohead’s Colin Greenwood chat about all this and more in the new episode or watch it on YouTube. Please take the time to like, review, and subscribe to KMW wherever you get your podcasts, and keep up to date with all our series by following the Consequence Podcast Network.

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