Design Matters with Debbie Millman: Colin Greenwood
Episode Release Date: December 16, 2024
Featuring: Colin Greenwood, Bassist of Radiohead
Published by: Design Matters Media
1. Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Colin Greenwood, originally from Oxford, England, shared insights into his nomadic childhood due to his father's service in the Royal Ordnance. This upbringing saw his family relocate multiple times, including stints in Germany and various towns in Suffolk and Oxfordshire. Greenwood attended five different primary schools, which he believes contributed to his ability to forge friendships easily—an attribute he finds beneficial in his musical career.
"The thing about what you talked about, all those schools, I guess when you say that, I think you could either become like a raging introvert or you just get very good at making friends all the time." (03:08)
Music was a constant in Greenwood's household, with his parents exposing him and his siblings to a diverse range of genres—from classical pieces by Mozart to the folk melodies of Simon and Garfunkel. This eclectic musical environment fostered Greenwood's early interest in both music and photography.
2. Formation and Evolution of Radiohead
Greenwood recounted the origins of Radiohead, initially formed under the name "On a Friday" during their school years. The band members, including his brother Johnny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien, and others, rehearsed primarily on Fridays at their school’s music facilities. Despite an amusing incident where the headmaster attempted to charge them for practicing on a Sunday—an event ultimately thwarted by the director of music—the band's commitment to their craft remained unwavering.
"We may have jammed with some other people, but that was kind of the thing." (08:56)
In the early days, Greenwood transitioned from classical guitar to bass, believing it allowed him to complement the already talented guitarists in the band. This decision not only shaped Radiohead's distinctive sound but also provided Greenwood with a unique role within the ensemble.
"My bass playing has always been trying to find somewhere to fit in, but it's been one of the reassuring, sort of reliable, dependent staples of the sound." (16:47)
3. Music Career and Achievements
Radiohead's ascent from a local band to global sensation was marked by the release of their debut album, Pablo Honey, featuring the hit single "Creep." Despite initial skepticism and being labeled a potential one-hit wonder, the band persisted, producing critically acclaimed albums like The Bends and OK Computer. Greenwood emphasized that the band’s focus was always on their collective artistry rather than individual songs.
"We never thought about what we do in terms of individual songs. When we were making our second record, The Bends, we spent a long time in Rack Studios in London." (28:30)
Over the years, Radiohead has released seven additional studio albums, sold over 30 million copies worldwide, and won six Grammys. Their innovative approach to music and their ability to evolve with each album cemented their place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019.
4. Exploration into Photography
Parallel to his musical career, Colin Greenwood developed a passion for photography, inspired by seminal works like Gaylord Oscar Heron's Vagabond. His interest was nurtured by his friend Charlotte, a curator of photography, who introduced him to the world of fine art photography and connected him with influential photographers.
"Through her, I met some very fantastic photographers. So I have got a lot to thank her for." (31:31)
Greenwood's approach to photography mirrors his musical philosophy—seeking depth, emotion, and a bridge between rhythm and melody. He appreciates both analog and digital photography, valuing the tactile experience of film and the precision of digital captures.
"The bass is a very sympathetic instrument. It's the bridge between the rhythm and the melody, the drums and the voice." (19:25)
5. "How to Disappear": The Photographic Portrait of Radiohead
Greenwood's foray into publishing culminated in his book, How to Disappear: A Photographic Portrait of Radiohead. The title, a playful nod to Radiohead’s song "Kid A," reflects his intent to present an intimate, unobtrusive glimpse into the band's life. The book features candid photographs taken between 2003 and 2016, capturing moments in studios, tour buses, dressing rooms, and more.
"The title is about the fact that I'm not really in the book. There's one picture of me in the book that my brother took, and so I haven't completely disappeared." (37:51)
Collaborating with designer Duncan White, Greenwood ensured that the book was not only a visual treat but also a narrative journey. The selection process involved narrowing down from 350 to 100 photographs, curated to flow from the creative process to live performances.
"We basically did what Duncan said in terms of the design and layout, and I'm just thrilled with it." (50:12)
6. Insights on Art, Music, and Memory
Throughout the conversation, Greenwood delved into the symbiotic relationship between music and photography. He highlighted how both mediums capture fleeting moments—music through sound and photography through light. His reflections touched upon the permanence of photographs as markers in time, contrasting them with the ephemeral nature of memories.
"A photograph is a recording of something using time, like shutter speed of the camera. But there's another dimension of time, which is the time you leave the image that you take and the next time you look at it." (43:22)
Greenwood also expressed admiration for photographers like Robert Frank and Wolfgang Tillmans, drawing parallels between their work and his own endeavors to document the essence of Radiohead.
7. Legacy and Reflections
As the episode concluded, Greenwood shared his gratitude towards his bandmates, friends, and mentors who have influenced his dual careers in music and photography. His humility and introspection were evident as he discussed the challenges and rewards of balancing two creative passions.
"It has been an unalloyed joy from start to finish." (52:12)
Greenwood’s journey embodies the blend of artistic disciplines, showcasing how creativity can transcend mediums and leave a lasting impact on both listeners and viewers.
Notable Quotes:
- "If you see something that you want to photograph, then the question really becomes not should you take a picture of it?" (40:16)
- "An analog camera records light like a vinyl does sound." (35:22)
- "What I love about the process of playing a record goes back to that active listening when we were at school." (36:09)
Further Information:
To explore Colin Greenwood’s work in photography and his contributions to Radiohead, visit radiohead.com or wisethq.com.
Produced by:
Curtis Fox Productions for the TED Audio Collective. Recorded at the Masters in Branding program at the School of Visual Arts, New York City.
Editor-in-Chief: Emily Wylett