Radio Head, but Not The Talking Heads, or On a Friday — But Radiohead
… let’s dive into this moon-shaped pool! — Steven Hyden, UPROXX
It was fate that I grew up with Radiohead.
Our relationship is mutual — I exist with Radiohead, and they exist with me. It goes beyond simply listening to their music; it involves witnessing the transformation of their sound and delving into side projects that contribute to the shared identity of Radiohead.
Like many X and millennials, the band adapts to the times, and discovering Radiohead when I did feels like destiny. Radiohead follows me everywhere.
I was 15 when Gagging Order was playing on a burned CD made by my first crush. We listened to the song while driving around Sunset Ave on a warm summer afternoon after visiting an art show.
I actually never dated in high school but the memories tied to that song persist, a timeless reminder of youthful experiences and past relationships, friendships, all those ships.
Straight into college, I was jumping fences at Outside Lands with friends to watch the band perform In Rainbows under the clouds of San Francisco.
I worked in the fashion industry for a decade when I marveled at Phantom Thread playing on screen and performed with a live orchestra at the Ace Hotel Theater (RIP). I watched in awe with a former friend who had the same affinity but unfortunately lost connection with me.
I audibly gasp whenever a Radiohead song finds its way on screen. (“Incendies,” “Black Mirror,” “Vanilla Sky,” “Children of Men,” and oh, the Season 1 Finale of ‘The Bear,’ where they brilliantly crafted the most incredible ending of a show I’ve seen in a long time to Let Down).
The film or series unfailingly becomes perfect because a Radiohead song seamlessly fits in at precisely the right moment.
When I first became interested in Radiohead, like really into Radiohead, I could only attribute my admiration from an unexpected origin — Ned from Groundhog Day.
Yes, the Bill Murray classic 1993 film.
I became obsessed with story of Stephen Tobolowsky, who played Ned Ryerson. He, apparently a psychic, shared an ESP-related encounter with David Byrne, inspiring The Talking Heads’ song Radio Head.
The song’s title later influenced On a Friday to become Radiohead.
Fast forward, a little girl named Tara-mae watched Groundhog Day when she was 7, found Ned intriguing, and later discovered Radiohead through the 1993 film “Clueless” and the 1996 adaptation of “Romeo & Juliet” — and falls incredibly in love with the band.
The series of coincidences in the 90s created a loop, crafting a distinctive narrative woven with connections and chance occurrences that really started to shape my life.
A Moon Shaped Pool became the soundtrack to my experience of loss. In 2023, a year marked by significant losses in my life. I sought solace in this album during my moments of solitude.
This album was incredibly sad, too.
I deeply connected with its themes and felt the profound emotions embedded in its creation.
Yorke’s ex-wife died of cancer not long after it came out, and that context naturally informs how the album is perceived, particularly since it ends with a studio recording of the beloved heartbreaker “True Love Waits.” But Nigel Godrich’s father also passed during the record. And there was the death of drum technician Scott Johnson in a horrific stage collapse before a show on The King Of Limbs tour. Death pervades this album. It’s a heavy listen. And yet there’s also a lightness to Pool, like it’s slowly drifting into the ether as you’re listening to it. — Steven Hyden, UPROXX
The last (and hopefully final) loss that occurred at the start of this year was especially significant as it centered around the person with whom I had the most profound conversations about Radiohead.
Our connection with Radiohead, spanning from film to music, held great depth. I discovered a bootleg sample of III Wind before its official release and we made it “our song.”
But when Spotify eventually released it to the broader audience, I knew that was it.
I sensed that it marked the bittersweet conclusion of our 10 year long Radiohead-infused friendship.
The first time I heard Dawn Chorus (my absolute favorite song by Thom), I was watching Anima with my then-boyfriend. Towards the end, he mentioned that the train ride scene was filmed in Prague — a city he had explored before. He expressed a desire to bring me there in the future for our honeymoon.
Fast forward five years, and we’re now married, in the process of planning our visit to the Czech Republic.
As a dedicated fan, my allegiance to everything Radiohead goes beyond fandom.
I’ve had experiences, formed connections, and nurtured profound relationships through a Radiohead song.
I eagerly witness and engage with every aspect of the band’s journey, aligning myself with their evolution. This connection isn’t just about musical admiration; it mirrors my personal growth alongside the band.
I look forward to what lies ahead, anticipating the unfolding chapters of Radiohead’s artistic endeavors and my future.
The Smile’s new record comes out next Friday, the 26th.
Happy listening.
