October 28, 2010 - submitted by Colin, United States of America

 

Q. Dear Oracle,

I noticed in Mirko's video with Will lying on the ground there was a magazine cut-out at 1 minute that said Coldplay is from Oxford University. Is this true or did the band go to University College London?

Colin

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Actually it appears at 29 seconds and reads ..."Hailing from the metropolis of London, but having spent three years studying at Oxford University..." which of course we know is incorrect.

The band attended UCL as you say but Phil did indeed go to Oxford so that must be where the confusion arose.

October 28, 2010 - submitted by Anthony, United Kingdom

 

Q. I told you I am a persistent fellow (or pest). I would still like an answer to my question as to where I can get a legal copy of the Coldplay/Kylie track, if it exists?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Yes you did and that's one word for you ;)

Only joking but as you have asked every day I thought you may never stop until I reply. Sadly it's a bit of a waste of time because all you had to do was look on the tag cloud for "Kylie" or "Lhuna" and you'd have had an answer days ago!

 

 

wait, can you even still download it? i looked at those sites, but i don't see anywhere that you would be able to get it. :P

Debs :awesome:

October 29, 2010 - submitted by Michelle, Canada

 

Q. Hello Oracle,

I'm hoping you can help me out as I'm curious to know if both the Beehive and Bakery are both being used to record the new album. I assumed that moving into the Beehive would mean moving out of the Bakery, but from Anchorman updates, it sounds like both are being used. Wouldn't it be easier to stay put in one recording studio?

 

Cheers

 

Cheers,

 

The Oracle replies:

 

You are correct in your assumption that both are being used; it works well. Geographically the two are very close so it's not that much of a problem at all.

October 29, 2010 - submitted by Sunil, United Kingdom

 

Q. Hello wise one! So... I own one of the most rarest Coldplay cds/vinyls including the What If promo cd,copies of mince spies and lots of the early stuff but am considering selling to purchase tickets to go see them on tour! Do VIP tickets exist for Coldplay for meet and greet? Or even sign autographs after a show?

 

It is one thing that I wish to do but I never know when the right opportunity to meet the band! Any ideas? PLEASE REPLY!

Big Thanks!!

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Honestly I would say hold on to those items. Yes they'd pay for your ticket but maybe you could just be saving up a little bit each week right now rather than part with some collectables?

The main reason I say this is that although we sometimes have VIP packages available at venues, they don't include a meet & greet. Meet & greets are very rare in the U.K - another reason to say keep your memorabilia.

The likelihood of catching the band after a show is even slimmer. I guess like with most things it's timing and luck; there's no great advice to give about getting autographs and meeting the band.

The Oracle replies:[/color]

 

You are correct in your assumption that both are being used; it works well. Geographically the two are very close so it's not that much of a problem at all.

 

They couldn't be any closer :laugh3:

November 1, 2010 - submitted by Isabella, United States of America

 

Q. Is there any other reliable source of information about Coldplay, since you only answer a very small amount of questions??

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Anchorman and Roadie #42 are very reliable as is their source of and content of information. There's not just me around here so maybe if you look around the entire website you will find out much more in News, the Timeline section and the archived blogs are worth checking out.

Have a wander and hopefully you will find what you seek!

November 1, 2010 - submitted by Austin, United States of America

 

Q. Do you favor the hiphopopotamus or the rhymenoceros?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Hmmm, the hiphopopotamus or the rhymenoceros?

Well it has to be the hiphopopotamus as his rhymes are bottomless.

November 1, 2010 - submitted by Thomas, United Kingdom

 

Q. The Simon Pegg article was excellent, but what is this A+E he was chatting about?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Ah, it's a joke. Chris & Simon wrote a little song called A&E (around the time of X&Y hence it's alphabetical moniker) but you won't find it anywhere as it was all done in jest.

FYI: For anyone who doesn't know, A&E is a hospital department; it stands for Accident & Emergency hence the song being about various ailments.

November 1, 2010 - submitted by Austin, United States of America[/color][/b]

 

Q. Do you favor the hiphopopotamus or the rhymenoceros?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Hmmm, the hiphopopotamus or the rhymenoceros?

Well it has to be the hiphopopotamus as his rhymes are bottomless.

 

:awesome:

November 2, 2010 - submitted by Larry, United States of America

 

Q. Last summer (2009) I was in NYC and one evening, waiting on a cab at the airport, I placed my briefcase on the ground and accidentally bumped a guitar case. I looked up to see a gentleman that looked exactly like Chris Martin and he was very polite when I apologized and said no problem. He had a black or dark grey duffle bag that said Coldplay on it that looked like it was from the era of Rush of Blood. He grabbed the next cab and off he went. Now I tell my kids that I actually met Chris Martin in NYC but they don't believe me... nor does my wife. Can you let me know of it was him or if this particular bag would be one carried by the band?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

If I'm honest with you I don't doubt the possibility of Chris being in NYC at the time as they did hit a few nearby places with their tour. However I do highly doubt this was Chris. There are a number of reasons but, I have never seen (nor could I imagine) him carrying a duffle bag with his band's name on it!

That said, some of the crew do so maybe you met one of them? Hmmm I can't think of any that look like Chris though.

November 2, 2010 - submitted by Espa, United Kingdom

 

Q. Why are the drummers always in the back on the stage? This summer I went to a festival and I stand the whole day on the front line and because of that I saw just from one band the drummer! Sometimes I could only see the singer!

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

The majority of drummers are at the back of the stage but not all. The drum kit is a huge instrument that takes up quite a lot of room. They elevate the drums and drummer on what is known as a drum riser. This is supposed to help their visibility to the audience. There are some lead vocalists who sing from behind their kit (see Phil Collins) and also a small number who stand behind the kit out front (see Jellyfish. No, really do look them up, they're amazing).

 

I can empathize because seeing The Strokes at a 300 capacity venue back in 2001 and Kings of Leon at a small 250 capacity venue in 2002 I couldn't see the drummer at either show. Truth be told I couldn't see ANYTHING!

 

FYI: I do recall hearing that back in the 80s an artist called Nik Kershaw who was so short in height had a ramp built on stage so that people could see him. That's like a Nik riser I guess...

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvC2LRTR8UI]YouTube - Nik Kershaw - Wouldn't It Be Good video[/ame]

November 3, 2010 - submitted by Michael, Ireland

 

Q. Dear Oracle.

What do you make of the time traveller in the Charlie Chaplin movie? Or have you not seen it yet?

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiIrpEMbQ2M]YouTube - Time Traveler Caught on Film - Time Traveler Cell Phone - Charlie Chaplin Time Traveler[/ame]

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

I have seen it Michael, it was doing the rounds again before Hallowe'en. I didn't want to watch it; I really don't like to get spooked as I live in a supposedly haunted place. I watched it and have to say that it didn't make me feel anything other than sceptical. With all the modern day image trickery I didn't think it was genuine for one second even though so many people told me to watch it as "it's amazing".

Personally I preferred this

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSK1D3bZhRs]YouTube - Cat vs Printer - The Translation[/ame]

much more. Sorry for the swearing in it but it's too brilliant not to share.

November 3, 2010 - submitted by Jessamacar, Australia

 

Q. Dear Oracle,

If I cover my eyes in blue and red cellophane will it make the Talk video 3D?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

What, you mean you haven't tried? I can't decide if you're lazy or not or don't know where to easily procure red and blue cellophane from.

Or maybe you're just messing because of course it won't make the video miraculously change into 3D! It would either have to have been filmed in 3D in the first place or a post treatment to make some parts 3D... neither of which happened.

November 3, 2010 - submitted by Gerben, Netherlands

 

Q. Would this be a good deal?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

I don't think so myself because that seems pretty expensive even though it's a rare single. I mean it's up to you of course if you have that kind of cash lying around and want to build some kind of collection...

As it wasn't an international release I can see why you'd want it but it certainly isn't sought after like say, the Safety EP. I personally wouldn't bother; in fact I don't own it and there's not much I don't have.

November 4, 2010 - submitted by Angie, Australia

 

Q. I have complained recently about this website not being used to discuss issues Coldplay. You get an email posted 1/11 on that and publish it - them follow it up with ANOTHER inane question - please reduce the personal replies and concentrate on Coldplay...

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Even though you said please I will have to decline Angie. I'm sure the person who asked the question didn't think it inane and I obviously didn't as I answered it!

Do you think I sit and make them up myself? I don't just pick a question if it pertains to the band which is not the sole purpose of this section (as it says by the way); I think you'll find that it's fairly balanced overall with a mix of both.

Anyway, back to your idea of inane... Rather than dismiss something you don't understand as inane - I can only assume that you didn't understand the question I was posed and therefore clueless to what my answer referenced - why not check it out to gain an informed opinion?

For your benefit (and anyone else who's intrigue didn't take them on a voyage of discovery) here's what we were discussing:

Anything but inane I hope you agree?

 

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FArZxLj6DLk]YouTube - Flight of the Conchords Ep 3 Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros[/ame]

November 4, 2010 - submitted by A Girl, United Kingdom

 

Q. If I would be famous, I would find it very strange to have fans who are twenty years older than me. Not that I wouldn't like it, but it just seems so weird, you know... Does Coldplay sometimes have that feeling? And did they have an idea how old there fans would be when they released their first album?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Why is that weird? I guess if you're Justin Bieber maybe but when you're a band making great music that's loved universally it's not going to be subject to age discrimination. I'm sure you'd feel differently if you were famous but depending what you were famous for I guess.

I doubt even the record label let alone the band were thinking of audience/fans age groups when making and releasing Parachutes. Some bands do need to think about that for marketing and promotional purposes but Coldplay didn't. Trust me; they were just so happy to be received so warmly by fans of any age.

November 4, 2010 - submitted by Noe, Mexico

 

Q. What album of Coldplay contains Ladder To The Sun?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Well we do have an official discography where you can see which songs appeared where and when. Ladder To The Sun won't appear on anything listed however as it has never been released on an album or otherwise.

November 5, 2010 - submitted by Colin, United States of America

 

Q. Dear Oracle,

What do you think of the up and coming English band; Hard-Fi and their hit single, Hard to Beat?

Colin

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Up and coming? Gosh Colin these boys have been around for over half a decade! In fact, I knew of the band when they had a different name and a record deal under that name. They have actually been making music for a very long time; well over ten years.

Hard To Beat was released in 2005...

Oh and in answer to your other question (Colin is a regular asker people), I'm afraid we don't have internships or job availabilities during the summer, sorry!

They're great guys with some top tunes so let's hope they do come back with a great third album.

November 5, 2010 - submitted by Helmut, Austria

 

Q. Hi, you have been asked during the time being an Oracle often about having heard alrady this or that new album released of any bands and you almost always answered yes, you have heard it already even before it was opened for folks.

Now I aks you, since Beady Eye is supposed to delivery very soon their first album - have you been able to touch those songs already? What do you think of it?

Thanks,

Helmut

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

I was also asked a while back what Beady Eye means. First I should explain for those who may not know that it's the name Liam Gallagher chose for his post Oasis band.

To use the phrase in context, some might say (sorry, I couldn't resist) that someone has their beady eye on us; beady eye just means to keep a close watch. It gets its name from the gleaming nature of beads. I often think of birds seeming to stare intently with their bead like eyes.

Anyway, I haven't heard Liam's Beady Eye yet but have heard reports. They've been mixed but I prefer to reserve any judgement for myself until I listen to it - as I do with all things.

November 5, 2010 - submitted by Christian, United States of America

 

Q. Dear Oracle,

Is the puppet at 3:14-3:15 of the Life in Technicolor ii Music video the mysterious fifth band member I've heard about and exactly who is he?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

There is no mysterious fifth band member; that's about the only thing that's not a secret around these parts!

Phil Harvey is the 5th band member and although he does appear in human form in this video

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fXSovfzyx28&feature=related]YouTube - Coldplay - Life In Technicolor ii[/ame]

around the 1'56 and 3'03 marks, the puppet is just representing a crew member but bearing no resemblance to any living member of it.

November 8, 2010 - submitted by Christoph, Germany

 

Q. Dear Oracle,

am I the only one who absolutely looooves Square One?! I think its a beautiful tune with a powerful message, but not many people take it into their consideration while discussing Coldplay's best songs. What do you think about Square One?

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Just as Politik did on the previous album, Square one did on X&Y; they both gave their albums the most epic beginning! I absolutely LOVE Square One and when I got taken for a spin in a new car that was the song I put on the stereo to test its speakers. Awesome!

I remember hearing it for the first time and love everything from the intro to the middle eight to the crescendo and the ending with a softer climax. Spine tingling stuff.

November 8, 2010 - submitted by Gijs, Netherlands

 

Q. Dear Oracle,

 

How do you feel about the comeback of James Blunt after two years of absolute silence? How do you feel about comebacks of artists in general?

 

Thank you :)

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Erm two years silence? Isn't that just what artists do between albums? It's not a comeback is it? Sorry that's more questions than you asked!

I must admit to be being more of a fan of Mr. Blunt's sense of humour than his music.

I was lucky enough to see Jarvis Cocker (of Pulp) lecture on the role of lyrics.

A highlight for me was him pointing out the absurdity in the lyrics for

You're Beautiful.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oofSnsGkops]YouTube - James Blunt - You're Beautiful (Video)[/ame]

It starts with "My life is brilliant" which is fair enough but watch out for him having a plan and then never telling us what it is as he realizes that he will never be with her. Genius!

Ah so back to the questions, I have no feelings at all as to the release of his new material but it was worth sharing the wit of Jarvis.

I'm not a fan of bona fide comebacks if the act in question isn't coming back with good quality music. I don't find comebacks offensive but I'd rather there be room for new, exciting artists and leave the past where it is. I'm all for nostalgia but I could do without Boyzone popping back up but at least I can laugh at how ridiculous that name seems now!

November 8, 2010 - submitted by Danny, United States of America

Q. Hello Oracle! I am curious about one remix of Coldplay.

 

I found a version of Yellow called the Alpha Remix. Did Coldplay help create this song or is it an independent song from a DJ (such as Junkie XL)?

 

Thanks and hope your October is going well!

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

Well I guess the whole point of a remix is that someone takes a song and puts their spin on it so the band don't get involved in the process. Please note that in my eyes Coldplay did help to "create" it as they wrote the original and that is the fundamental part; a remix is an alternative version so I wouldn't refer to it as "independent". Bands don't necessarily commission remixes by the way.

There have been a few mixes that the band have really liked and gone on to use such as the Yellow Alpha remix (appeared on the Mince Spies CD) and the Thin White Duke remix of Viva la Vida (used as a musical interlude on the last tour).

November 9, 2010 - submitted by Allie, United States of America

 

Q. Professor Oracle!

As a beholder of obscene amounts of knowledge,and a man/woman/wizard/timelord whose opinion is highly respected,please mull over this question for a spell...

Would you rather run through the streets of London in the nude, or dress like a lady for a year?

 

 

The Oracle replies:

 

I guess I'd rather dress like a lady for a year! I'm not into parading around naked!

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxLBpa7g5fg]YouTube - Little Britain. I'm a lady.[/ame]