Joe Talbot and Mark Bowen from IDLES discuss their creative partnership, Joe's disdain for England's monarchy, and the band's bombastic sound blending joy and chaos. They talk about their latest album TANGK produced by Mark, Kenny Beats, and Nigel Godrich, and the influences behind their music.
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Quick takeaways
IDLES' music balances joy, chaos, and criticism of authority figures.
The band's creative process involves setting boundaries for innovative problem-solving.
Deep dives
Idols: The Journey of a British Band
The British band Idols has gained a growing fan base with their bombastic sound and critical take on the powers that be. Lead singer Joe Talbot channels personal pain and dissatisfaction into his songwriting, while guitarist Mark Bowen contributes a love for hip-hop and old-school soul. Their latest album, Tank, showcases their influences and was produced by Mark Bowen, Kenny Beats, and Radiohead's Nigel Godrich. They discuss their creative partnership and how Bowen helps temper Talbot's passion. The band uses repetition and chaos in their songs to create a unique listening experience.
Finding Their Sound and Intentions
Idols approaches their music with intent and clear artistic vision. They prioritize representing their intended message through their music and design. The band believes in creating boundaries within their albums to allow for creative thinking and problem-solving. They draw inspiration from 50s and 60s pop music, combining it with their own punk and post-punk influences to create a strong, unified sound. They use repetition and samples as tools to create hooks and enhance the impact of their songs.
Working with Nigel Godrich and Kenny Beats
Producer Nigel Godrich and Kenny Beats played significant roles in the creation of Idles' latest album, Tank. Godrich challenged the band to grow and reach their full potential, pushing them out of their comfort zones. His approach to production involved using vintage equipment and working within restrictions to foster creativity. Kenny Beats, known for his intuitive understanding of musicians' visions, helped the band bring their songs to life with his skill set and guidance.
Passion, Conviction, and Aiming for a Better World
Joe Talbot's passion and conviction drive his lyrics and his desire for a better world. He is unapologetic in expressing his views on the monarchy and social issues. The band believes in the power of their music to challenge the status quo, create empathy, and inspire positive change. They aim to connect with listeners on a human level, conveying their messages with honesty, repetition, and chaos to make a lasting impact.
Since releasing their critically acclaimed debut album, Brutalism, in 2017, the British band IDLES have dropped four other albums in quick succession. The band’s bombastic sound brilliantly balances joy, chaos, and an often critical take on the powers that be. IDLES latest album, TANGK, was produced by the band's guitarist Mark Bowen, Kenny Beats, and Radiohead producer, Nigel Godrich.
On today’s episode Justin Richmond talks to Joe Talbot and Mark Bowen from the greenroom of the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon about their tumultuous creative partnership. They also explain how Mark helps temper Joe’s sometimes passionate rage, and Joe breaks down why he will forever despise England’s monarchy.
You can hear a playlist of some of our favorite IDLES songs HERE.