Jonny Buckland riffs on the meaning of life in Coldplay (New Orleans preview)

busybeeburns · 08-06-2009, 12:38 PM

"There's a possibility of being a more acoustic record," guitarist Jonny Buckland says of the next Coldplay album. "But that still remains a possibility rather than a certainty."

In the Fountains of Wayne minidrama "Someone to Love," lovelorn corporate attorney Seth Shapiro "puts Coldplay on, pours a glass of wine/curls up with a book about organized crime."

The implication is clear: Coldplay is the feel-good band of yuppies the world over.

In a decade, singer Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion have evolved from utter unknowns to cultural touchstones. They've sold tens of millions of albums, endorsed various charitable and political causes and, in the case of Martin, married Hollywood royalty without seeming insufferable.

One minor bump in the road: In December, guitar wizard Joe Satriani filed a lawsuit alleging that the title track of Coldplay's current "Viva la Vida" album plagiarized his 2004 instrumental "If I Could Fly." Nice chaps even when sued, the band responded, "If there are any similarities between our two pieces of music, they are entirely coincidental, and just as surprising to us as to him.... Joe Satriani is a great musician.... We wish him well with all future endeavors."

Buckland called from his home in England during a recent break in Coldplay's tour, which stops at the New Orleans Arena on Tuesday, June 9.

Coldplay has not performed in New Orleans since a 2003 show at the Saenger Theater. Should we take that personally?

I think we were supposed to come back just after Hurricane Katrina hit, but the gig was canceled. So I don't think you should take it personally.

You're over the career hump -- you've established who you are and what you do. I don't know if "relax" is the right word, but you've earned both credibility and success and can have some fun with it.

We've never enjoyed touring so much actually. We feel like we're playing better than we ever have and having more fun on stage than we ever have. The more we put into it, the more we get out of it. So it's the opposite of relaxing.

What element of the current show works best for you?

Where we go out and play in the audience. We try to get to the back of the crowd and pop up somewhere. It's kind of ramshackle, and we don't decide what songs we're going to do until we're there.

In arenas, you can feel a long way away and disconnected. We try to make people feel like they've actually been to see a real band rather than watching them on the TV.

Do you use some sort of satellite stage?

"Stage" might be overstating it a bit. More like a satellite shelf.

You never set out to be a guitar hero -- your guitar work is in the service of the song. Is that a fair assessment?

I think so. I've never gone in much for the solos. I was always more interested in atmospherics. Listening to bands like Mercury Rev or My Bloody Valentine or even The Verve, the way those guitarists played.

Do you solo at all during the show?

No, not really. I maybe have one, but it's not really shredding or anything like that. There's no Van Halen in me. (laughs)

Drummer Will Champion was Coldplay's original guitarist. It probably worked out best that you played guitar and not Will.

Yeah, well, he was a better drummer than me. (laughs) He probably is a better guitarist -- he's a very good guitarist. He's pretty much good at everything he does. He can even play the tin whistle. He's sort of a multitalented, Swiss Army drummer.

Don't you just hate that?

It is a bit annoying.

I'm guessing you don't wear the colored bits of tape on your fingers like Chris Martin because that would make it hard to play guitar.

That's Chris' thing. We can't all be doing the same thing.

You'd look like Devo.

Or Kraftwerk. Maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing, actually.

You put out the EP "Prospekt's March" in November with songs left over from the "Viva la Vida" sessions.

There were some songs that didn't really fit on the album. We didn't want to save them for another record. It felt silly to save them; they were already a couple of years old.

So it wasn't a qualitative decision to leave them off "Viva la Vida"?

We started writing a record, then we went to South America and scrapped the initial idea of what the record was about. We changed it to "Viva la Vida." So some of the songs just didn't fit with that at all, but we still really liked those songs. They told a different story.

Do any of those turn up in the set?

We play "Glass of Water" quite a bit and "Life in Technicolor II" as well. We love playing them live. We wanted to get them out there, so that we could be indulged.

Have you started writing for the next album?

We've written tons. We've got so much material, it's almost hard to know in which direction to go. It's quite a nice stage where you're bringing together all your ideas and picking which way to take them.

Any early indication of the mood?

There's a possibility of being a more acoustic record. But that still remains a possibility rather than a certainty.

You're not going to really work on it until after the tour?

We never really stop working on stuff. It's continuous. Touring only really takes up an hour and a half (a night). There's plenty of time to be writing music and playing. We won't finish anything this year, but we'll certainly get started.

Momentum feeds itself.

Being on tour, you're excited about playing live and you want to keep on going. You never want it to end, that adrenaline rush. It does feed into you writing more songs and getting excited about new ideas.

We love playing music. It's the best job in the world. We want to work all the time. It's hard to make us take a holiday.

It's definitely in the Top 5 jobs.

For us, it's No. 1. There's nothing else we'd rather be.

You don't want to trade being a guitarist for being a dentist?

No, thank you.

One last thing: Have you taken down all your Joe Satriani posters?

(laughs) Honestly, I never had a single one. I promise.

COLDPLAY

With: Opening acts Snow Patrol and Howling Bells
When: Tuesday, June 9, 7 p.m..
Where: New Orleans Arena, 1501 Girod St.
Tickets: $49.50, $79.50, $97.50 plus service charges through Ticketmaster.

http://blog.nola.com

but a dream · 08-06-2009, 12:42 PM

Quote:
Originally Posted by busybeeburns;3096811
You never set out to be a guitar hero -- your guitar work is in the service of the song. Is that a fair assessment?

I think so. I've never gone in much for the solos. I was always more interested in atmospherics. Listening to bands like Mercury Rev or My Bloody Valentine or even The Verve, the way those guitarists played.

Do you solo at all during the show?

No, not really. I maybe have one, but it's not really shredding or anything like that. There's no Van Halen in me. (laughs)

OOoh Jonny you'll always be my guitar hero anyway

Quote:
Originally Posted by busybeeburns;3096811
Drummer Will Champion was Coldplay's original guitarist. It probably worked out best that you played guitar and not Will.

Yeah, well, he was a better drummer than me. (laughs) He probably is a better guitarist -- he's a very good guitarist. He's pretty much good at everything he does. He can even play the tin whistle. He's sort of a multitalented, Swiss Army drummer.

Don't you just hate that?

It is a bit annoying.

Will is talented! Piano accordian, anyone?

Quote:
Originally Posted by busybeeburns;3096811
One last thing: Have you taken down all your Joe Satriani posters?

(laughs) Honestly, I never had a single one. I promise.

Go Jonny!!!!

In yer face, Satriani.

Nice interview, thanks for sharing Ian

Texasluvsjonny · 08-06-2009, 12:45 PM

thanks Ian

i ate the lotus · 08-06-2009, 12:52 PM

that was a nice read, thanks for posting!

MartinFan · 08-06-2009, 01:04 PM

Thanks for the great read!!!! Jonny has a few great riffs in each album thats been realeased, he could be Eddie Van Halen is he wanted

Arantza · 08-06-2009, 01:19 PM

:

Quote:
One last thing: Have you taken down all your Joe Satriani posters?

(laughs) Honestly, I never had a single one. I promise.

Thanks for the interview Ian

anniea89 · 08-06-2009, 01:32 PM

Great read. He's a man of few words.

but a dream · 08-06-2009, 02:29 PM

Jonny's words of wisdom on Satriani added to sig

a-chan · 08-06-2009, 02:43 PM

Thx Ian!!

I love Jonny's comment on our multitask Will XD!!

But what I noticed, it's that next album may be more accoustic (Chris said it too...)...A little Parachutes feel would be nice...*w*

Anyway, love you J!

yellowtalk · 08-06-2009, 02:46 PM

such a cool dude!

miumiu · 08-06-2009, 02:55 PM

:

Quote:
Have you started writing for the next album?

We've written tons. We've got so much material, it's almost hard to know in which direction to go. It's quite a nice stage where you're bringing together all your ideas and picking which way to take them.

YEEESSSSS!!!!

Thanks for posting this interview Ian!

shipoffools · 08-06-2009, 03:19 PM

Thanks Ian, that was a great read.

RoosAnne · 08-06-2009, 04:45 PM

Jonny

.

noonsun · 08-06-2009, 04:51 PM

Great to know I'm a yuppie.

Nice interview; thanks.

Lore · 08-06-2009, 05:25 PM

:

Quote:
Yeah, well, he was a better drummer than me. (laughs) He probably is a better guitarist -- he's a very good guitarist. He's pretty much good at everything he does. He can even play the tin whistle. He's sort of a multitalented, Swiss Army drummer.

Don't you just hate that?
It is a bit annoying.

loved this part

the interview is really nice, thanks Ian!

:

Quote:
So it wasn't a qualitative decision to leave them off "Viva la Vida"?
We started writing a record, then we went to South America and scrapped the initial idea of what the record was about. We changed it to "Viva la Vida." So some of the songs just didn't fit with that at all, but we still really liked those songs. They told a different story.

and now it's time to come back

08-06-2009, 12:38 PM	#1
busybeeburns mr coldplaying himself Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 46,331 My Mood: Location: test Gender: Country: Seen CP: 20 times Fav. CP album: X&Y Fav. CP song: GPASUYF Fav. CP member: Chat posts: 4 Thanks given: 1,547 Thanked 932 Times in 418 Posts	Jonny Buckland riffs on the meaning of life in Coldplay (New Orleans preview) "There's a possibility of being a more acoustic record," guitarist Jonny Buckland says of the next Coldplay album. "But that still remains a possibility rather than a certainty." In the Fountains of Wayne minidrama "Someone to Love," lovelorn corporate attorney Seth Shapiro "puts Coldplay on, pours a glass of wine/curls up with a book about organized crime." The implication is clear: Coldplay is the feel-good band of yuppies the world over. In a decade, singer Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman and drummer Will Champion have evolved from utter unknowns to cultural touchstones. They've sold tens of millions of albums, endorsed various charitable and political causes and, in the case of Martin, married Hollywood royalty without seeming insufferable. One minor bump in the road: In December, guitar wizard Joe Satriani filed a lawsuit alleging that the title track of Coldplay's current "Viva la Vida" album plagiarized his 2004 instrumental "If I Could Fly." Nice chaps even when sued, the band responded, "If there are any similarities between our two pieces of music, they are entirely coincidental, and just as surprising to us as to him.... Joe Satriani is a great musician.... We wish him well with all future endeavors." Buckland called from his home in England during a recent break in Coldplay's tour, which stops at the New Orleans Arena on Tuesday, June 9. Coldplay has not performed in New Orleans since a 2003 show at the Saenger Theater. Should we take that personally? I think we were supposed to come back just after Hurricane Katrina hit, but the gig was canceled. So I don't think you should take it personally. You're over the career hump -- you've established who you are and what you do. I don't know if "relax" is the right word, but you've earned both credibility and success and can have some fun with it. We've never enjoyed touring so much actually. We feel like we're playing better than we ever have and having more fun on stage than we ever have. The more we put into it, the more we get out of it. So it's the opposite of relaxing. What element of the current show works best for you? Where we go out and play in the audience. We try to get to the back of the crowd and pop up somewhere. It's kind of ramshackle, and we don't decide what songs we're going to do until we're there. In arenas, you can feel a long way away and disconnected. We try to make people feel like they've actually been to see a real band rather than watching them on the TV. Do you use some sort of satellite stage? "Stage" might be overstating it a bit. More like a satellite shelf. You never set out to be a guitar hero -- your guitar work is in the service of the song. Is that a fair assessment? I think so. I've never gone in much for the solos. I was always more interested in atmospherics. Listening to bands like Mercury Rev or My Bloody Valentine or even The Verve, the way those guitarists played. Do you solo at all during the show? No, not really. I maybe have one, but it's not really shredding or anything like that. There's no Van Halen in me. (laughs) Drummer Will Champion was Coldplay's original guitarist. It probably worked out best that you played guitar and not Will. Yeah, well, he was a better drummer than me. (laughs) He probably is a better guitarist -- he's a very good guitarist. He's pretty much good at everything he does. He can even play the tin whistle. He's sort of a multitalented, Swiss Army drummer. Don't you just hate that? It is a bit annoying. I'm guessing you don't wear the colored bits of tape on your fingers like Chris Martin because that would make it hard to play guitar. That's Chris' thing. We can't all be doing the same thing. You'd look like Devo. Or Kraftwerk. Maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing, actually. You put out the EP "Prospekt's March" in November with songs left over from the "Viva la Vida" sessions. There were some songs that didn't really fit on the album. We didn't want to save them for another record. It felt silly to save them; they were already a couple of years old. So it wasn't a qualitative decision to leave them off "Viva la Vida"? We started writing a record, then we went to South America and scrapped the initial idea of what the record was about. We changed it to "Viva la Vida." So some of the songs just didn't fit with that at all, but we still really liked those songs. They told a different story. Do any of those turn up in the set? We play "Glass of Water" quite a bit and "Life in Technicolor II" as well. We love playing them live. We wanted to get them out there, so that we could be indulged. Have you started writing for the next album? We've written tons. We've got so much material, it's almost hard to know in which direction to go. It's quite a nice stage where you're bringing together all your ideas and picking which way to take them. Any early indication of the mood? There's a possibility of being a more acoustic record. But that still remains a possibility rather than a certainty. You're not going to really work on it until after the tour? We never really stop working on stuff. It's continuous. Touring only really takes up an hour and a half (a night). There's plenty of time to be writing music and playing. We won't finish anything this year, but we'll certainly get started. Momentum feeds itself. Being on tour, you're excited about playing live and you want to keep on going. You never want it to end, that adrenaline rush. It does feed into you writing more songs and getting excited about new ideas. We love playing music. It's the best job in the world. We want to work all the time. It's hard to make us take a holiday. It's definitely in the Top 5 jobs. For us, it's No. 1. There's nothing else we'd rather be. You don't want to trade being a guitarist for being a dentist? No, thank you. One last thing: Have you taken down all your Joe Satriani posters? (laughs) Honestly, I never had a single one. I promise. COLDPLAY With: Opening acts Snow Patrol and Howling Bells When: Tuesday, June 9, 7 p.m.. Where: New Orleans Arena, 1501 Girod St. Tickets: $49.50, $79.50, $97.50 plus service charges through Ticketmaster. http://blog.nola.com __________________ The early bird catches the worm. The second mouse gets the cheese!

08-06-2009, 12:42 PM	#2
but a dream Crazy love giraffe. Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 10,614 My Mood: Location: In my place Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Quote: Originally Posted by busybeeburns;3096811 You never set out to be a guitar hero -- your guitar work is in the service of the song. Is that a fair assessment? I think so. I've never gone in much for the solos. I was always more interested in atmospherics. Listening to bands like Mercury Rev or My Bloody Valentine or even The Verve, the way those guitarists played. Do you solo at all during the show? No, not really. I maybe have one, but it's not really shredding or anything like that. There's no Van Halen in me. (laughs) OOoh Jonny you'll always be my guitar hero anyway Quote: Originally Posted by busybeeburns;3096811 Drummer Will Champion was Coldplay's original guitarist. It probably worked out best that you played guitar and not Will. Yeah, well, he was a better drummer than me. (laughs) He probably is a better guitarist -- he's a very good guitarist. He's pretty much good at everything he does. He can even play the tin whistle. He's sort of a multitalented, Swiss Army drummer. Don't you just hate that? It is a bit annoying. Will is talented! Piano accordian, anyone? Quote: Originally Posted by busybeeburns;3096811 One last thing: Have you taken down all your Joe Satriani posters? (laughs) Honestly, I never had a single one. I promise. Go Jonny!!!! In yer face, Satriani. Nice interview, thanks for sharing Ian

08-06-2009, 12:45 PM	#3
Texasluvsjonny Jonny's personal fluffer Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 16,806 My Mood: Location: Livin' large in the Friends and Family room! Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 5 Thanked 287 Times in 97 Posts	thanks Ian __________________ Houston-Austin-Dallas-Cleveland-Indy-Alpine Valley-Dallas-ACL Taping-Houston-Dallas-Milwaukee-Today Show-Chicago-Chicago-DC-Philly-Orlando-Ft.Lauderdale-Houston-Dallas-Birmingham-Indy-San Antonio-Dallas-Houston-Alpine Valley-London-London-Mexico City-Mexico City-Guadalajara-Monterrey-Chicago-ACL Taping- Austin-Today Show- L.A.-Dallas-Dallas-Houston-Houston-DC-DC-East Rutherford-Chicago-Chicago-Brooklyn... Jonny

08-06-2009, 12:52 PM	#4
i ate the lotus say haven't you noticed? Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 262 My Mood: Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	that was a nice read, thanks for posting! __________________ http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...t-of-the-c.jpg too many mutha uckas uckin' with my shi

08-06-2009, 01:04 PM	#5
MartinFan One I Love Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 4,770 My Mood: Location: Florida Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 554 Thanked 213 Times in 116 Posts	Thanks for the great read!!!! Jonny has a few great riffs in each album thats been realeased, he could be Eddie Van Halen is he wanted __________________ Light's will guide you home and ignite your bones and I will try to Fix You.... Chris Martin Munich, Germany 2012 QUOTE: "THAT'S TEAMWORK, MOTHER FUCKER!"

08-06-2009, 01:19 PM	#6
Arantza Je me souviens Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,582 Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 26 Times in 18 Posts	: Quote: One last thing: Have you taken down all your Joe Satriani posters? (laughs) Honestly, I never had a single one. I promise. Thanks for the interview Ian __________________ Una locura muy bizarra. We Like Strange 09032010

08-06-2009, 01:32 PM	#7
anniea89 Not just anyone.... Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 1,563 My Mood: Location: Sydney, NSW Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Great read. He's a man of few words. __________________ Dreaming of Lhuna Chris: Being anywhere with Kylie is fun. Being on a bus with Kylie is fun Rove: What was the inspiration for X&Y? Chris: Mainly porn. Coldplay... Honorary Aussies Sydney March 14 Section 2 Row JJ 09!!!!! BLOG: http://anniea89.blogspot.com

08-06-2009, 02:29 PM	#8
but a dream Crazy love giraffe. Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 10,614 My Mood: Location: In my place Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Jonny's words of wisdom on Satriani added to sig

08-06-2009, 02:43 PM	#9
a-chan Rhythm section rules! Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 6,110 My Mood: Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thx Ian!! I love Jonny's comment on our multitask Will XD!! But what I noticed, it's that next album may be more accoustic (Chris said it too...)...A little Parachutes feel would be nice...w Anyway, love you J! __________________ Paris Bercy - 10/09/2008 Parc des Princes, Paris - 07/09/09 Wembley Londres - 19/09/2009 Main Square Festival Arras - 03/07/2011 Paris Bercy - 14/12/2011 - Alcoholics! Having difficulty holding a job? Colleagues insensitive to your requirements? Join the road crew of a touring band. You'll love it! - Alex Kapranos - "May the koala of tenderness hug you til it's all better” - Gary Lightbody

08-06-2009, 02:46 PM	#10
yellowtalk From the West Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 1,211 My Mood: Location: Inside Jonny's Cap Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	such a cool dude! __________________ http://i.imgur.com/WMRiY.gif

08-06-2009, 02:55 PM	#11
miumiu DOMO KUN Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 377 My Mood: Location: in my place Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	: Quote: Have you started writing for the next album? We've written tons. We've got so much material, it's almost hard to know in which direction to go. It's quite a nice stage where you're bringing together all your ideas and picking which way to take them. YEEESSSSS!!!! Thanks for posting this interview Ian! __________________ "with Viva whoa ohs in my head... XD " July 09th, 2005 - Coldplay @ Coubertin Platz Munich September 14th, 2008 - Coldplay @ ColorLineArena Hamburg September 26th, 2008 - Coldplay @ Olympiahalle Munich August 25th, 2009 - Coldplay @ AWD Arena Hannover August 29th, 2009 - Coldplay @ Reitstadion Riem Munich September 18th, 2009 - Coldplay @ Wembley Stadium London September 19th, 2009 - Coldplay @ Wembley Stadium London http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3.../wembsig-2.jpg

08-06-2009, 03:19 PM	#12
shipoffools Spinning in a cloud Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,185 Location: In my place Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks Ian, that was a great read. __________________ I just got lost Every river that I've tried to cross Every door I ever tried was locked Ooh-Oh, And I'm just waiting till the shine wears off... June 4th 2009 at Riverbend: the night is gone, but the memory lingers on. People moving all the time inside a perfectly straight line, Don't you wanna just curve away? It's such, it's such a perfect day.

08-06-2009, 04:45 PM	#13
RoosAnne Coldplayer Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 519 My Mood: Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Jonny. __________________ Hamburg 15.06.2005 - Hamburg 14.09.2008 - Rotterdam 03.10.2008 Roskilde 05.07.2009 - Herning 16.08.2009 - Nijmegen 09.09.2009 Nijmegen 10.09.2009 - Wembley 19.09.2009 -(Boat Trip 25.11.2010) (Top of the Pops 08.12.2010) - Liverpool 19.12.2010 - Newcastle 20.12.2010 Children in Need 17.11.2011 - Little Noise Sessions 24.11.2011 - Manchester 04.12.2011 Dingwalls, Camden 06.12.2011 - Under 1 Roof 10.12.2011 - Berlin 21.12.2011

08-06-2009, 04:51 PM	#14
noonsun Account Disabled! Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 11,538 My Mood: Location: plastic beach! Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Great to know I'm a yuppie. Nice interview; thanks. __________________ Quote: Originally Posted by Crests of Daylight;4092755 I PWNED HIM WIF MAI WERDZ

08-06-2009, 05:25 PM	#15
Lore Coldplayer Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 53,460 My Mood: Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 8 Thanked 31 Times in 28 Posts	: Quote: Yeah, well, he was a better drummer than me. (laughs) He probably is a better guitarist -- he's a very good guitarist. He's pretty much good at everything he does. He can even play the tin whistle. He's sort of a multitalented, Swiss Army drummer. Don't you just hate that? It is a bit annoying. loved this part the interview is really nice, thanks Ian! : Quote: So it wasn't a qualitative decision to leave them off "Viva la Vida"? We started writing a record, then we went to South America and scrapped the initial idea of what the record was about. We changed it to "Viva la Vida." So some of the songs just didn't fit with that at all, but we still really liked those songs. They told a different story. and now it's time to come back