Jonny Greenwood admits he was a clumsy, lazy guitar player
The journey of a musician is often a winding road of self-doubt and eventual, delightful acceptance. For Jonny Greenwood, this evolution has been particularly striking in his relationship with the guitar, a relationship he has openly shared with the world.
When he first joined Radiohead in 1985, the guitarist admitted he felt like a clumsy player and often described himself as “lazy.” He carried a deep distrust of musical fluidity, believing that technical playing was inherently rigid. However, time and repetition have played a different tune.
“I used to distrust any sort of fluidity and think that was somehow part of that thing of technical playing,” he recounted. “But now I just feel different about it. And it feels lucky that my fingers do these things.”
This shift has turned hesitancy into passion. Through sheer repetition, Greenwood has found a hook, realizing that the facility he possesses is not a burden but a gift. He now happily embraces the skill, admitting that he truly loves playing the guitar.
The evolution of the instrument mirrors the band’s own journey. While the personal reflections on musical mastery continue, Radiohead is currently embarking on an ambitious global tour. Following a recent reunion that included performances at the London O2, the band has set their sights on new territories.
Guitarist Ed O’Brien shared the band’s exciting plans for the future, outlining a plan to take the group on a grand adventure: twenty shows each year, each time on a different continent. This commitment reflects a desire for continuous exploration and creative output.
The upcoming schedule involves a string of new tour dates in Australia and Japan, encompassing 21 shows across Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, and Saitama. This global itinerary signals a willingness to explore and engage audiences across diverse landscapes.
Despite the excitement of these new journeys, when asked about the possibility of writing new material, Greenwood offered a wry perspective. He suggested that the shadow cast by their previous work, specifically the album A Moon Shaped Pool, was so profound and dark that the band hadn’t even discussed the next record. He joked that if anyone is going to pose the question, it should wait until the next six years.
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