Coldplay's Oracle discusses Paris, the music industry, Oldplay, work-out music and more...

More questions answered by The Oracle... (circa. 4000! questions now answered - submit yours now!)

June 20, 2013 - submitted by Jessica, United States of America

Q. Dearest Oracle, Does Paris, the oh so talented graffiti artist who did Coldplay's art, have a website? If you please, I would like to check out more of his brilliant works. Thanks for answering, Oracle. Cheers from L.A., California Xx

The Oracle replies:

Paris does indeed have a website.

June 20, 2013 - submitted by Margaret, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle, I was wondering how you would acquire a job like yours. I mean, you said before you went to concerts before you knew them, obviously stating that you didn't know them in college. I am not asking you to tell me all about this either, but you must do something else rather that only answer 2 Oracle questions a day, right? How could someone like me, get into a relationship, with any band, and start working with them, being with them a lot, like you do at the bakery. Thank you for considering your time.

The Oracle replies:

I didn’t actually say many of those things: I didn’t go to their concerts before I met them. I did know them when they were at college. I don’t work at the Bakery and am not therefore with the band a lot. Now I’ve set that straight I think it’s irrelevant to say what else I spend my time doing. Suffice it to say, I do other things, yes. The second part of your message is the most interesting... I hope you don’t take this the wrong way but it’s important to differentiate between working with a band because it’s your job and hanging out with them because you’re a fan. I don’t know enough about you to guide you fully but there are plenty of ways to get into the music industry and the many specific areas within it. These days there are many specialized courses but there were none when I started so I had to work my way up from working for free and a pittance just to get experience. If you choose that route, local venues or rehearsal studios are a great place to start. Helping bands load in and out for shows too but they will probably already have their mates doing that before they progress to roadies. What you do will depend on what you would like as a career. If you see a new band with potential you could help out with promotion, marketing, getting them gigs and helping with their online presence. Many record labels have internships so visit their websites for more details. There are books and articles published on the web so once you have chosen the area you are interested in, go forth and research – that’s what I did. There was a book written a few years ago, How To Make it in the Music Business, Sian Pattenden and the great thing about it was it gave an overview of what money you’d expect to earn, how many hours you’d be working, pressure rating, travel rating and glamour rating (amongst others). If there’s a revised edition, I’d suggest having a quick peruse of that before deciding if it’s for you.

June 19, 2013 - submitted by Piyush, India

Q. Hi Oracle, Can you tell me who is that guy working as the main Coldplay soundman and testing mics and everything on the MX tour? He didn't quite look like Dan Green. Who is he? And why not Dan Green this time. Thanks.

The Oracle replies:

Dan Green is the FOH (front of house) sound engineer so he's not on the stage testing mics etc. It may surprise you to learn there is a Monitor Engineer (& assistant) as well as a Sound Crew of 6. Dan Green has a FOH assistant too.

June 19, 2013 - submitted by Guillaume, France

Q. Oracle hello! What is your happiest memory with Coldplay? Thanks.

The Oracle replies:

Gosh there are so many that it would be hard to choose one. From the early days I'd say Parachutes going to #1 and hearing their name read out winning their first Brit Award. Since then the happiest moments are usually on tour.

June 19, 2013 - submitted by Carolina, Mexico

Q. Hola, Hallo, Hello Oracle! I know this is one of the most stupid questions ever, but I have curiosity to know.. Where does Chris gets his haircut? I love it! I know I'm a girl, but maybe I go on a trip to London and I decide to get a haircut, and then when I have my amazing haircut I will say I got it where Chris Martin goes! Hahahaha. Please reply, even if you don't know! Greetings and Cheers from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico! Ps: I'm very glad Chris Martin's Mylo Xyloto hairstyle came back, he looks so hot in it! Take Care Oracle.

The Oracle replies:

I prefer the long hair look too - he usually grows it after a tour. Anyway, as far as I am aware, his hairdresser - I have totally forgotten her name - comes to the studio and cuts his hair there. I don't think she works in a salon...

June 18, 2013 - submitted by Jacob, United States of America

Q. Hey Oracle! In the Roadie entry #175, it mentioned Oldlay quite a lot. What exactly is Oldlay? Is it a spinoff of Coldplay? Thanks, Jacob

The Oracle replies:

In Roadie #42's blog he explains that "For many years, there has been a “crew band” comprised mainly of the backline department, but filled out by anyone who fancies getting involved. Robyn’s tour manager it seems, is none other than Ali McMordie, from seminal punk heroes Stiff Little Fingers. He’s taken the bass spot on the stage and I arrive on the arena floor just as they finish a rousing cover of Anarchy In The UK". Oldplay are the crew band. They jam for fun at sound checks.

June 18, 2013 - submitted by Catalina and Carla, United States of America

Q. Hi Oracle! This is Catalina and Carla. We wanted to know the kind of stuff Coldplay does while they are on their tourbus. Do they play scrabble, have pillow fights, watch a good movie, or just practice their music? Just wondering. Thanks!

The Oracle replies:

The band don't actually have a tourbus and that's not how they travel to gigs but... they read, listen to music and chat en route.

June 17, 2013 - submitted by Nabil, Kuwait

Q. Hey Oracle! Can you please tell me what Chris said about Dads in this video? Happy Father's Day!

The Oracle replies:

After saying "this song is for Jonny Cash (who once stood on this stage himself)" - who 'Til Kingdom Come was written for - he says "this is for my dad also. In fact all the dads in the world. Even Gay Dad* who played here some years ago. And the guy from My Two Dads+"... * Gay Dad were a British band who started around the same time as Coldplay but split up in 2002. + My Two Dads was an American sitcom in the late 80s.

June 17, 2013 - submitted by Lucas, United States of America

Q. Hey Oracle, This may seem like a random question, but I hope you can answer it. You've talked before about making covers of songs (specifically Coldplay songs) But what are the rules when it comes to covering/performing or even recording an unreleased song? For example, I'm a huge fan of a song called Until the Water Flows Over (I suppose it's also known as Solid Ground) that was never released (why it wasn't, I don't think I'll ever understand). It was played live once, I believe. And the instrumental leaked online some time ago. With what we have of the song, could I be able to cover/perform or record a variation of this song without any problems? If not, what could I do about it? Thanks Oracle!

The Oracle replies:

Rules for cover versions aren't the exact same in every territory but generally speaking you can cover anything but you can't record a song that hasn't been recorded by the originators. Playing it live is also tricky because unreleased songs aren't registered and therefore royalties and monies earned from live performance wouldn't reach the writers. A song in existence whether recorded or not is still copyrighted to the publisher/label/artist...

June 17, 2013 - submitted by Coty, United States of America

Q. Hello Oracle! I was looking into purchasing the globe used in the parachutes album because of my strange attraction to it. I don't mean the one actually used in the photo, but the model of it. I know it is at WHSmith, but I'm not sure which globe to purchase. Please help! Live life.

The Oracle replies:

That globe was bought back in 1999 so I doubt that the globes they stock now - of which there are many - are the exact same model as the Parachutes cover. I think you're better just buying the one you like that fits your budget...

June 14, 2013 - submitted by Julia, United Kingdom

Q. Dear Oracle, My relationship with my boyfriend is starting to fall apart. We hardly talk any more and we used to be really close. Now whenever we have a conversation, everything is boring and awkward, and now I'm starting to become afraid of talking to him at all. It hard for us to even see each other because we live so far away. Please help me, I don't want to lose him... Best wishes, Julia

The Oracle replies:

Julia it sounds like you are desperately clinging to what the relationship was and what you want it to be again. I can understand that but sometimes you have to accept the change may mean the end :-( I will assume you have tried talking to him. If you haven't that is the first thing you must do. Because of the distance, perhaps you could Skype and encourage him to tell you how he feels - rather than demand explanations - for the change in behaviour. It could be that he's going through some personal issues that are affecting your relationship, maybe he's struggling with the distance or it could be - and I am sorry to be blunt - that he doesn't want to be in the relationship any longer and does not know how to tell you. I want to direct your attention to how you described the current state of your relationship by removing the superfluous and concentrating on the nitty gritty: My relationship with my boyfriend is starting to fall apart. We hardly talk any more. We used to be really close. Whenever we have a conversation, everything is boring and awkward. I'm starting to become afraid of talking to him at all. Now, I know you love him but I have to say, this doesn't sound like much of a relationship and certainly not one worth staying in or trying to save. Perhaps only you know that but all I will say is, break-ups are rotten and they hurt (not like heaven) but... sometimes they are necessary. Being happy is the main thing and at the moment it doesn't sound like either of you are so maybe a break is the way forward and see what happens from there. Don't worry though, whatever happens, you're not alone!

June 13, 2013 - submitted by Veronika, Germany

Q. Hi Oracle, I wanna get started with getting a little fitter... Any suggestions for a running-playlist (first of all Coldplay songs but also non-Coldplay-songs) ?? Which tracks do the boys listen to while working out? Have a jolly day :) Thanks for answering!

The Oracle replies:

There are lots of CDs and Spotify playlists etc. for exercise these days but I like to create my own so I may be able to help - not that I run often. I'll start with Coldplay songs. No surprise to regular readers that my first song would be my favourite; Politik. Great pounding opening to get the heart rate pumping but the dips and crescendos will set a good pace. In no particular order I'd definitely include ETIAW, Talk, Lost, Charlie Brown, Daylight, Cemeteries of London, Strawberry Swing and Major Minus. Clocks & Speed of Sound fit, but they wouldn't be for me - personally. To begin the cool down I'd opt for a slower song such as Everything's Not Lost - otherwise it would be a very Parachutes album free zone! Paradise is good winding down song too. That would be quite a long run though, so make sure you pace yourself or build up to it gradually. I'd advise alternating between running for 2 minutes and walking for 2 minutes. Here's a list of some of the songs (again in no particular order of pop & rock) that I used to jog around to: Rage Against The Machine - Killing in the Name; Jay Z - 99 Problems; Faith No More - Be Aggressive; Audioslave - Cochise; Black Eyed Peas - Rock Your Body; Max Sedgley - Happy; The Raconteurs - Salute Your Solution; Dizzy Rascal - Bonkers; That's probably around 25-30 minutes so plenty to be getting on with.

You've inspired me to run again, Veronika... I'm afraid I don't know what they guys listen to whilst working out - they don't always have music though.

June 13, 2013 - submitted by Drew, United States of America

Q. I've been wondering about this since I pre-ordered my copy of Live 2012 on iTunes, why the long gap between their two live films, was a Live 2006 or a Live 2009 ever considered?

The Oracle replies:

They were considered; one was even shot but the end result wasn't to everyone's liking so it was canned.

June 12, 2013 - submitted by Thuane, Brazil

Q. Which was the first concert that Coldplay used Xylobands/wristbands first time? Thank you.

The Oracle replies:

It was actually the show that I mentioned in one of yesterday's answers. That was the first live gig of the MX album era though not strictly part of a tour. It took place in Madrid's Plaza de toros Las Ventas on 26 October 2011. They looked different - thinner straps and less colours but the technology was the same. Anchorman and myself went to have a look at the boxes of Xylobands waiting for the very first fans to enter the venue. It was both exciting and nerve inducing waiting for the moment of truth when the lights went down. The concert was part of the “American Express Unstaged” series, which paired musical artists with film directors. Coldplay worked with Anton Corbijn who as you may know, has taken photographs of the band and directed the videos for Talk and Viva la Vida (alternative video).

June 12, 2013 - submitted by Carlo S, Panama

Q. I fell in love at a Tae Kwon Do place with a black belt. It is really hard to talk to her since she is one of the helpers (she is not actually a trainer yet), and even worse, her father and her little brother are there also. It's really hard to talk to her with her parents nearby. We meet like once or twice a week and we can only talk before and after the class but then the place is full of kids and I can't make a real romantic approach. I'm sincerely going mad. Please help

The Oracle replies:

Maybe pass her a note before or after class and include your number in it?

June 12, 2013 - submitted by Laura, United Kingdom

Q. I know this is random but it's pretty important to me! Basically I've always thought I had the same birthday as Viva la Vida (12th June as it says on your website) however on other sites it says the 11th June? Which date is correct? I hope this website is right as it's my favourite album and I love the idea of sharing a birthday with it! Thanks! :)

The Oracle replies:

Oh it all used to be far simpler when all albums were released on Mondays! VLV was released on different dates in different territories, for example, 11th June in Japan. Here in the UK it was released on the 12th. That means that today is Viva's birthday! Last week was X&Y's...

June 11, 2013 - submitted by Petra, United Kingdom

Q. When and where was Chris performing this acoustic gig? It looks pretty recent to me.

The Oracle replies:

Indeed it was. Chris performed (with Davide Rossi) last Thursday (6 June) in London at a private charity dinner in support of the Ecology Trust and the Aspinall Foundation. The setlist was: Viva La Vida; Paradise; Fix You (barely a minute before Chris ended it); Yellow; Walking on the Moon (The Police cover); Night and Day (Cole Porter cover).

June 11, 2013 - submitted by Paulo, Portugal

Q. Dear Coldplay, We have just bought the Coldplay Live 2012 Concert film. It is an amazing film, that brings back some wonderful memories. We only went puzzled when you say that you started the tour on Madrid. Did you forgot the extraordinary concert that you did in Oporto on the 18 May?? Cheers, Paulo and Cristina.

The Oracle replies:

The Madrid show mentioned in the Live 2012 is not the one you're thinking of. The first live gig of the MX era was in Madrid on 26 October 2011. They played there again on 20 May 2012 as part of the full tour. Once the album was released there were TV, Radio, charity and special perfomances before the tour kicked off proper on 3rd December in Glasgow. Portugal was around the 22nd night of the tour.