The Jesus of Uncool

Chris Martin: The Rolling Stone Interview

BRIAN HIATT

 

When Chris Martin emerges from a town car on a quiet west village street one afternoon in May, he's dressed like a stagehand — black khakis, black hooded top. You'd never notice him, which is probably the idea. But then he starts singing Talking Heads' "Girlfriend Is Better" loud enough to be heard from across the street. The guy can't help it: He's a ham. The paparazzi siege that came with marrying Gwyneth Paltrow and having two angelic blond children with her has forced a certain public guardedness on him, but it seems he can't keep it up. As Martin sits down for what he calls "an epic interview" — seven hours over three sessions — his band is about to release its fourth studio album, Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends. "It feels terrifying," he says. Martin, 31, worships Woody Allen as much as he does Michael Stipe, and he has the quick wit of the picked-on kid he once was, equal parts self-deprecation and self-protection. Martin's image as a yoga-practicing, pescetarian ascetic is not inaccurate, but he does have a couple of drinks (a Guinness, a whiskey) over the course of two days, and is almost offended when I hesitate to order a hamburger in his presence. "I'm not a fascist about it," he says. "I'm not going to report you to Chrissie Hynde!"

 

In contrast to the soothing, warm-blanket vibe of Coldplay's music, Martin is almost unnervingly intense: He has an endearing, Hugh Grant-like stammer, but when he feels strongly about what he's saying — which is often — his eyes give off little sparks, like he's a mad scientist detailing plans for world domination. That drive, along with his band's facility for sincere, uplifting rock in the U2 mold — simultaneously melodic and gigantic Ð has fueled Coldplay's rise from a college band to one of the biggest rock acts of the decade. But despite it all, Martin can't stop feeling like an underdog. "You've got to be hungry," he says. "If your wife went out with Brad Pitt, you'd want to prove yourself, you know what I mean?"

 

What was the mood of the band going into your new record?

 

On our last album, we took a real beating from some people, and by the end we felt like no producer would really want to work with us, basically. We were bigger than we were good — we were very hungry to improve on a basic level. So I asked Brian Eno, "Do you know any producers who could help us to get better as a band?" And he said, "Well, I don't mean to blow my own trumpet, but I might be the man."

 

What was his assessment of the band?

 

He goes, "Your songs are too long. And you're too repetitive, and you use the same tricks too much, and big things aren't necessarily good things, and you use the same sounds too much, and your lyrics are not good enough." He broke it down.

 

How did you respond?

 

You deal with it. You can either sit 'round, look at your platinum discs and say, "Fuck you, you're all wrong," or you can go, "OK, he's probably got a point." Brian and Markus [Dravs, the co-producer] broke us down in a sort of military boot-camp way. Within 20 minutes, we'd forgotten about any previous record sales.

 

X&Y got some mixed reviews, but the harshest was from the New York Times, which called Coldplay the most insufferable band of the decade. How did you handle that?

 

It was a big deal. It's the first real attack on your band, and from a publication we all respect. I agreed with a lot of the points. It was like, "Yeah, I do sometimes go for the obvious, and I do sometimes fall back on old tricks." So, in a way, it was liberating to see that someone else realized that also. And there is something glamorous to me in taking a bit of a beating and keeping on going. When you do something that some people don't like quite so much, then you are free again. Your whole canvas is open. You don't have to fall back on piano, we don't have to fall back on falsetto, you don't have to fall back on every song being a yearning love song.

 

There's a freedom in the new songs — it's not verse-chorus, verse-chorus anymore.

 

Well, I'm still a big believer in the chorus. But there was one day where Brian Eno came in and said, "I think prog-rock is vastly underestimated and will one day be fashionable again. And I think you should consider not necessarily doing the same song structures that you have done before." And anytime that he says he finds something exciting, you just kind of do it.

 

On the first single, "Violet Hill," you sing about a fox becoming a god and a "carnival of idiots on show." Was the song inspired by Fox News?

 

No one's got that before, no one in the band, no one. The first line in that song is the first line of any song we ever wrote. Years ago, when Guy [berryman, bassist] heard that first line and that first little melody — "It was a long and dark December" — he said, "OK, I'll join the band." But we just didn't have the other 49 lines until last year. And then one day I was watching Bill O'Reilly, and I was like, "I know how to finish that song."

 

My best friend, Tim, he's a musician in a band called the High Wire, but he also has to work in a bar. He was having trouble with his boss, and it made me think that so many people spend their lives being told what to do by people that they just don't like. So it was that idea, and watching Bill O'Reilly, and all these words just came out.

 

On "Death and All His Friends," there's this great topical line: "I don't want a cycle of recycled revenge."

 

That's Brian Eno's line. I had this blank spot in the lyrics: "I don't want to battle from beginning to end. Something, something, something. I don't want to follow death and all of his friends." So we were all having a sandwich, and it's like, "I don't want to watch too many episodes of Friends? No, that won't do. I don't want to listen to Radiohead's The Bends? No. I don't want to eat any Jerry and Ben's? No." And then Brian came out with the line, and he was like, "I quite like that. You should use that."

 

It does speak to the state of the world.

 

And it's fucking true, man. You can see it everywhere. It's like, when are we going to learn? We're never going to learn, is the answer. It's an ultimate bummer, and the last humans on Earth will really kick themselves. You and I are living in the time when revenge is the most dangerous thing, because the stakes are so high and the weaponry is so advanced.

 

Do you see any reason for hope?

 

As soon as Barack Obama becomes president, people will be a bit more optimistic. If Obama was to be president, it would immediately change the whole outside world's opinion of America overnight. America's public image at the moment is really bad. And it's a bummer, because over half of Americans are the coolest people on the planet. But they've been so misrepresented.

 

Do you think he can win?

 

I do. But I think that, really, the fair thing would be, in electing the American president, to let everyone in the world vote, because it affects all of us. If there was a world vote, there's no question who would win. No question. Of course, Barack Obama is human like the rest of us. He's going to fuck up. But I'm just trying to look on the bright side. What's the point of being negative? Where does that get us? It gets you your own radio chat show, but it doesn't really do anything for the world.

 

In your own efforts to do something for the world, you've taken shit for doing things like writing a symbol for fair trade on your hands.

One of our big conversations that we always have in this band is, we don't see rock & roll as being about coke-taking, leather-trouser-wearing rebellion, because that to us is not rebellion anymore. The spirit of rock & roll is freedom. It's about following what you believe in and not caring what anyone else says. And if that means writing something on your hand, then you've got to write something on your hand. It doesn't matter if you don't look as cool as the Ramones — you're never going to, anyway. So I know that we'll be ridiculed for this and look stupid for that. But as long as we believe in what we're doing, we can't apologize for it.

 

[Excerpt from Issue 1055 — June 26, 2008]

 

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/21185368

"America's public image at the moment is really bad. And it's a bummer, because over half of Americans are the coolest people on the planet. But they've been so misrepresented."

 

bingo.

I'm American and I'm libertarian (so I hate both the Republicans and the Democrats). I think Chris Martin has an insightful point about the whole world voting in America's elections for president, because this country does tend to throw its weight around WAY more often than our Constitution allows.

 

Then again, I don't think it's fair we should call ourselves the oldest constitutional republic anymore.

 

That was a good interview, Chris Martin is an interesting person. I'd love to talk to him even though I know we'd probably disagree on 90 billion things.

I think Chris Martin has an insightful point about the whole world voting in America's elections for president, because this country does tend to throw its weight around WAY more often than our Constitution allows.

.

 

Thats one of those ideas that sound cool and right but then to actually go about and do it would cause so many problems because then you have those people in America that would be highly offended by it and then you'd have to decide WHICH countries you'd allow to be part of the vote.. and blah blah blah :confused:

great as usual!

Thats one of those ideas that sound cool and right but then to actually go about and do it would cause so many problems because then you have those people in America that would be highly offended by it and then you'd have to decide WHICH countries you'd allow to be part of the vote.. and blah blah blah :confused:

 

Oh, lol well no I didn't mean we'd actually implement it. I was just making a statement about sovereignty. Every country should be allowed to make its own laws without interference from other countries. Every individual should be allowed to pick which country they want to live in.

 

But when America (or any other country for that matter) goes around invading other countries' right to sovereignty, it implies they are operating on a "world stage" and therefore the worlds' citizens should demand they stop.

 

The whole point of this is that people should leave each other alone and that nukes are good. ;)

Whoah whoah whoah, didn't Canada get a primary for the Democrats last week? For former-presumptive President Hillary Clinton?? :P :D

 

Oh and the rest of the world getting to vote for an American president? What, does this include Hezbollah and Al Queada dudes getting to vote?

 

I like Chris and his music but his politics can be screwed up.

 

Isn't Bob Barr the leader of the Libertarians? I saw that guy on TV, he seems like he's really up his own ass. But America does need more choice than just two rival candidates. Open the field up with other parties.

 

I VOTE FOR JON STEWART and running mate STEPHEN COLBERT. 'Nuff said

as usual...rolling stones' interviews are simply the best....

HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHH BILL O'REILLY! WORST PERSON IN THE WOOORRRLLDDDD. (Keith Olbermann) lawl!!! That's absolutely hilarious. *high 5s Chris Martin* My hero.

Oh I need to get it! :D

I VOTE FOR JON STEWART and running mate STEPHEN COLBERT. 'Nuff said

 

Are you sure you've thought that through? For some reason I don't think it'd be good to have two satirical comedians at the helm of our country.

Whoah whoah whoah, didn't Canada get a primary for the Democrats last week? For former-presumptive President Hillary Clinton?? :P :D

 

Oh and the rest of the world getting to vote for an American president? What, does this include Hezbollah and Al Queada dudes getting to vote?

 

I like Chris and his music but his politics can be screwed up.

 

Isn't Bob Barr the leader of the Libertarians? I saw that guy on TV, he seems like he's really up his own ass. But America does need more choice than just two rival candidates. Open the field up with other parties.

 

I VOTE FOR JON STEWART and running mate STEPHEN COLBERT. 'Nuff said

 

thanks a lot :D

btw I really hate when they just care about chris

Great interview! I had no idea that line was about fox news. That's great lol.

i love how these dumb fucks that rag on chris or the whole band try to talk about being pretentious when it's them thats coming off as unbelievably pretentious. it's like how people rag on tom cruise... i'm like yo wtf have they done that makes them so damn different from anyone else you know? they say the same exact words anyone else would say... only difference is they're rich and you're not. people need to get over themselves and stop fueling this hate machine that isn't even justified. "oh well its my opinion". well no shit dumbass. your opinion also sucks monkey balls.

Hooray, I knew Chris would like Obama! *double thumbs-up*

 

Can't wait to read the rest of the article... Rolling Stone makes me really annoyed sometimes, but their interviews are always wonderfully long.

MAJOR SQUEE.

 

(1/4 of) my favorite band on my favorite magazine!!

 

i'm half-thinking on waiting to read this until it hits stands on friday, but AHH SCREW IT. i'm reading it now. *goes to read*

Whoah whoah whoah, didn't Canada get a primary for the Democrats last week? For former-presumptive President Hillary Clinton?? :P :D

 

Oh and the rest of the world getting to vote for an American president? What, does this include Hezbollah and Al Queada dudes getting to vote?

 

I like Chris and his music but his politics can be screwed up.

 

Isn't Bob Barr the leader of the Libertarians? I saw that guy on TV, he seems like he's really up his own ass. But America does need more choice than just two rival candidates. Open the field up with other parties.

 

I VOTE FOR JON STEWART and running mate STEPHEN COLBERT. 'Nuff said

 

Libertarians don't have "leaders", unlike Democrats and Republicans. ;) We tend to be rather anti-authoritarian. Bob Barr could be a turtle with stickers on his shell for all I care - just so long as he's not growing government, increasing taxes, and starting unconstitutional wars, I'll be happy!!

It comes out on friday?! Thank God I have money!! :freak:

Aaaaah!

"and the fox became god"

 

:idea2:

wow, i never ever would have made that connection, but now that i had some help...i think that's one of my favorite coldplay lines EVER. bill o'reilly is probably the person i hate most on this planet, or at least one of them. oh my goodness, i think i just grew to love VH more.

 

and this:

 

As soon as Barack Obama becomes president, people will be a bit more optimistic. If Obama was to be president, it would immediately change the whole outside world's opinion of America overnight. America's public image at the moment is really bad. And it's a bummer, because over half of Americans are the coolest people on the planet. But they've been so misrepresented.

 

THANK YOU, CHRIS MARTIN.

i figured he supported obama, and i know gwyneth does, but YAY. for some reason it makes me extra-excited when non-americans love him.

 

i can't wait to read the rest of this :D

I'm so glad he supports Obama and feels that he will win. :nice: And he's totally right about Obama changing the world's opinion about America.

I'm tired of being the 'stupid, brash american' :\

First point, I really think Chris should have more confidence in his abilities. All I ever hear him do is talk down on his work...and in the end it makes me feel about stupid for enjoying all of the things he thinks are really shit! lol

 

What's the point of making music if you don't believe in what you're doing? What happens if the NYT again says Coldplay are a bunch of insufferable men? Is he going to agree and then start talking bad about this album too?

 

Sheeshhh. He's allowed to like his work, and the rest of them are too. As long as he's not getting all Kanye West about it, what's the harm?

 

 

Second, haha a world vote on the US president. Sounds about right. I agree about the revenge thing. It made me sad to think about..and he's right about the weapons.

 

That's exactly why the US gets so bent out of shape at the thought of any other country that we dont call and ally having them. The fear that they will seek revenge...

I didn't think it was possible, but I do believe I love Chris Martin even more after reading that.

 

I have to say though, his opinion on American politics is not much different from the rest of the world's. The world is in agreement that we have shitty leadership in America right now. I too believe Obama can turn it around for us. We desperately need a fresh face!

Great.