Radiohead Guitarist Ed O’Brien Shares Personal Music Influences

Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien recently reflected on the music that has defined his life, revealing a diverse range of influences that span from 1970s football anthems to classical compositions [1]. While his career is rooted in the alternative rock scene, O’Brien admits his personal listening habits have shifted significantly over time [1].

Key takeaways

• O’Brien’s first music purchase was the 1978 Scottish World Cup song "Ally’s Tartan Army" [1].
• He cites The Police’s "Walking on the Moon" as the song that inspired him to pick up the guitar [1].
• O’Brien states he no longer listens to indie music, noting he has "had his fill" of the genre [1].
• His 2020 solo album, Earth, was described as an eclectic project featuring contributions from artists like Laura Marling and Portishead’s Adrian Utley [3].

A Shift Away From Indie Roots

O’Brien’s relationship with music has evolved from his early days as a fan of The Smiths to his current preference for different soundscapes [1]. He notes that he is "done with guitar music in a way" and specifically avoids listening to indie music, even expressing relief that he no longer has to revisit certain tracks from his own band’s catalog, such as "How Do You?" [1]. Instead, he finds himself drawn to pieces like Bach’s Mass in B minor to start his day and appreciates the pop genius of George Michael [1].

Despite his departure from the indie sound, O’Brien’s own creative output has been noted for its ambition [3]. His debut solo album, Earth, released in 2020, was the result of years of work and featured a blend of folky ambience and electronic elements [3]. Critics described the project as a departure from his role as a "dedicated team-player" in Radiohead, allowing him to explore his own creative direction with the help of producer Flood [3].

Emotional Connections to Sound

For O’Brien, music remains deeply tied to personal memory and emotion. He identifies his own track, "Blue Morpho," as a song that makes him cry because it evokes memories of his children’s childhoods spent on a farm in Brazil [1]. He also maintains a pragmatic view of music in intimate settings, suggesting he prefers the natural sounds of wind and water over recorded tracks during those moments [1]. Looking toward the future, O’Brien has selected the final movement of Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem, "In Paradisum," as the piece he would like played at his funeral [1].

Why it matters

O’Brien’s reflections highlight the common trajectory of long-term musicians who eventually seek to move beyond the genres that defined their early success. By stepping into solo work with Earth, O’Brien demonstrated a desire to experiment with new textures and collaborations outside of his primary band [3]. His candid admission about his changing tastes offers insight into the personal life of a veteran artist who continues to balance his past legacy with a desire for new, varied auditory experiences [1].