More questions answered by The Oracle... (circa. 4700! questions now answered - submit yours now!)
August 23, 2013 - submitted by Ethan, United States of America
Q. Dearest Oracle, Could you please tell me more about the song You Only Live Twice. I stumbled upon it and I don't know much about it! Warm regards, Ethan
The Oracle replies:
There's not a lot to tell except that it's a Bond theme cover from the film You Only Live Twice. It was written by John Barry - the band have been longstanding fans of his work - and performed by Nancy Sinatra.
Coldplay covered it as early as 1998 and weirdly that was around the same time Robbie Williams used the string parts for the base of his hit, Millennium.
August 23, 2013 - submitted by Chris, United Kingdom
Q. What songs does Chris Martin plays when he was a teenager? How did he learn those songs because that time, there's no internet? Thanks!
The Oracle replies:
Some people are lucky enough to play by ear. Not literally of course but it means you can work it out by just listening. My Gran couldn't read music but that's how she played the piano - brilliantly too.
Before the Internet there was (and still is) sheet music so if Chris could read music - which he can't - he could have just used those. I haven't a list of songs he played but he loved U2, The Beatles, Bob Dylan and many more...
August 23, 2013 - submitted by Millie, United Kingdom
Q. Hello Oracle. I recently have noticed that many fans have met the band outside the recording studio known as the bakery. For me, this would be a dream but I was wondering whether there was an address for this? I was planning on writing a letter to the band and I didn't know what address to use! Thank You.
The Oracle replies:
We don't and have never publicized the studio address and so I'm afraid I wouldn't give it out. I'm sorry but we also don't have the resources to accept physical mail which is why we have a contact form for fan email though it's best to let you know that the band don't read or reply personally. As I am sure you can imagine, we receive so many.
August 22, 2013 - submitted by Rose, Turkey
Q. Hello Oracle! I want to ask you something which I was curious about since the concert. Who is this fabulous Roadie? We loved him too much in Prague show and he got a hell of an applause every time he went on stage check :) Also, did the band had a chance to visit the John Lennon Wall while they were in Prague? It is like a living artwork of MX cover :) Lots of love from Turkey!
The Oracle replies:
His name is Ali. He was the RF technician on the MX tour which is why he has receivers clipped all over him. His job is to look after all the radio gear. The band didn't have time for sightseeing on the European leg of the tour. The wall looks pretty impressive.
August 22, 2013 - submitted by Jamie, United Kingdom
Q. Dear, The Oracle :) Following on from yesterday's question about whether Coldplay listen to their own music, how do they feel when they are perhaps travelling and a Coldplay song comes over the airwaves on the radio? Does it feel weird? Thanks :)
The Oracle replies:
Not as weird as walking into a club and the DJ deliberately playing a remix of a Coldplay song... True story, it happened in Colombia. It was rather uncomfortable.
August 22, 2013 - submitted by Harry, United Kingdom
Q. Dear Oracle, I don't expect to be the only person to ask you about exam results (GCSEs are released on Thursday) but I'd still like some help. I don't know if I'll still be motivated to work as hard as I need to after I have my results, so my question is how can I make sure that I am still motivated? Thanks very much and good luck to anyone else who is getting results, Harry. P.S The thought of Atlas is taking my mind off of results day :)
The Oracle replies:
The day is here, Harry. This question was a little bit like putting the cart before the horse. It's a "what if?" scenario. If your grades are good that could motivate you to keep on working hard to get where you want. If your grades aren't as good as you hope, use that to motivate you to work harder. I can't really help specifically as I have no idea what goal you are trying to achieve but I believe an education is very important. If you're struggling to get enthused about studying, try to imagine yourself in the future without all the things you wanted for yourself. School is such an important yet short part of your life, give it all you can and do the best you are able then you can go forward with knowledge and maybe a qualification or two. It may be the key to your success so don't give up. I haven't necessarily needed the qualifications I have for employment but it has certainly appeased me to have those - to fall back on if nothing else. I did return to study later in life (home learning as well as part-time night school) and you're never too old to learn. I'd like to think we learn our entire life so I'd say try to keep at it. Here's a message to everyone getting results today: Please don't worry if you didn't gain the grades you wanted or needed; there is still a big bright future awaiting!
August 21, 2013 - submitted by Elliott L, United Kingdom
Q. Dear O' Mighty Oracle :) After the success of the vinyl releases for Record Store Day, will there be any releases for the new event Cassette Store Day on 7th September? It would be great to have some Coldplay material on cassette :) Thanks
The Oracle replies:
Ahh cassettes. My second Coldplay demo was on cassette. Do people have cassette players these days? I have one but it was bought to record on rather than play. As for my ghetto blaster, it is so old that I don't think the double cassette players work anymore. I digress... though it would be great to have Coldplay material on tape, there are no plans to be involved. For a list of releases due on Cassette Store Day, click here.
August 21, 2013 - submitted by Chrissy, New Zealand
Q. Hi! I don't really have a question, but rather just a msg for you! I went to Coldplay's concert in Auckland and I uploaded some photos! Feel free to use them if you wanted photos taken from concert-rockers point of view haha. Your concert was like, perfectly amazing! Thank you! :) x
The Oracle replies:
As you can imagine, there are millions of photos taken over the course of a Coldplay tour and while it's not possible to peruse them all, we do encourage fans to upload their pictures to our website. Please do add yours to the Auckland show.
August 21, 2013 - submitted by Chandra, Nepal
Q. I am an 18 years old boy from Nepal. I am coming to the UK for my higher studies in couple of weeks. I know it is always a daunting experience travelling to a foreign country. But I am very much nervous as much as I'm excited. However, the reason I'm nervous is somewhat awkward. But I know that I got nothing to be ashamed of in front of you, dear Oracle. Actually, my height is only 5'4" and this is causing me a great inconvenience and troubling me about the fact that will I be a laughing stock in the University I will be studying?? Please, give me some courage, dear Oracle.
The Oracle replies:
Please don't worry, Chandra. There is a saying, "Good things come in small packages". I think 5'4 is a great height and if anyone says otherwise (though, I don't know why they would), just laugh it off. Personally, I'd ignore them as it's so utterly ridiculous, it doesn't deserve your time. It would be their problem not yours. Remember, people get bored if they see it's having no effect so they'll soon stop - if indeed they start. If you think it's something that will hold you back, maybe you should bring it up first - could be an ice-breaker. It's strange how we look at people who aren't what's considered average but really, it's what makes you different & I see that as something special. You've nothing to be ashamed of at all - unlike anyone that brings you any grief. Stand tall with your 5'4 and be proud.
August 20, 2013 - submitted by Steve, United States of America
Q. Hey Oracle, my name is Steve from United States. My favorite guitarist in the world is Jonny Buckland, and I always had a question about his rigs... I know he uses Fender Deville, but wondering if he's using stock speakers or others and what are some of his drive pedals that he uses to get the sound? If you could answer this for me, that will be the most awesome thing that will happen in my whole life...
The Oracle replies:
Steve from the U.S, you're about to have the most awesome thing in your whole life happen (well, for now).
I asked Matt Mc Ginn to answer this one as this is very much his domain. He's given quite a detailed response: Hope the following helps and isn't too techy! You're right, Jonny uses two 2x12 Hot Rod DeVilles live, hooked up in stereo for exta-silly delay effects. The amps are so loud we have to have one facing backwards, along with an equally earsplitting (ask Bash the drum tech) Marshall 1960BX 4x12 cab driven by a reissue 100w Superlead head. All Marshall pieces are stock but the Fenders are modded - they have Celestion Vintage speakers in, plus the pots have been changed so they effectively only go up to three instead of eleven, twelve, or whatever it is. They're the same vol, but the knobs are easier to use, is all. And a pair of DeVilles is plenty loud enough, even running at two and a half! You might notice more stuff than this piled up behind him on his riser; that's cos we have a spare of everything, plumbed in and ready to go. As for Jonny's tone, it's achieved in a quite old-fashioned way, which is to say we don't use master or gain, we just turn it up a bit. This, coupled with the humbucker pickups he has on most of his guitars, means he never really has a properly clean tone at all. It sorta starts off slightly dirty and just gets muckier, depending how hard he plays and what pedals we decide to switch on. There's all sorts of distortion and gain effects; Power Screamers, Rats, screwy echoes that break up, that sort of thing. Most stuff we punch in is running pretty hot too - if there's a meter on a device you'll be seeing a little red! You can have a look at the FX setup at their website.
August 20, 2013 - submitted by Violet, United States of America
Q. Why don't Coldplay put up unreleased songs online anymore like they did in the past. Even if they don't make it on a cd I'd love to hear them and enjoy it like all of their other unreleased songs. Or even demos too like they did for Viva la Vida. With Love from California! violet
The Oracle replies:
Unless I am having a severe senior moment (it's possible), I cant think of one unreleased song that Coldplay have ever put online. If you're referring to any demo songs you may have found on sites other than Coldplay.com, they are illegally there without consent. As far as I am aware, the band have never put unreleased songs online. The only (sort of) exception are the snippets (on this site withing the archived Timeline) of their first Starfish gig on 16 January 1998.
August 19, 2013 - submitted by Catrina, United States of America
Q. I really want to know about this one. I found a video it was a version of Fix You mixed with Kanye West and Eminem, and I wanted to know, was this a real recorded song? Or was it just a remix made by somebody online? I really love it because it's Fix You but has rap verses in it. Is it real? Does Coldplay know about it? Thanks, Catrina
The Oracle replies:
There are countless mash-ups and remixes out there but none are what you call a "real recorded song". A remix just takes parts of other songs that are then (usually) laid over an original foundation. I wasn't aware of this specific one and it has nothing to do with Coldplay at all. As I say, there are far too many to know of them all therefore the band may or may not have heard it.
August 19, 2013 - submitted by Alejandro, Peru
Q. Hello dear Oracle. I read you once met an old man in Peru who had no idea how old he was. When have you been on Peru and where? I hope you can answer this, I will really like to know, I'm your biggest fan :)
The Oracle replies:
I went to Peru in 2004 but that wasn't with the band. I flew into Lima, went to Cuzco and travelled to a few villages (including Ullyantambo) before visiting Machu Picchu and down to Aguas Calientes.
Unfortunately my trip was cut short and I had to get home fast so 2 weeks of travel was cancelled. I did get to see the Nazca Lines en route back to Lima via a 23 hr coach ride.
August 19, 2013 - submitted by Jerri, United States of America
Q. Hi Oracle! :) Okay what does LP6 mean? It's been driving me nuts that I haven't figured it out yet! And I'm a huge fan of Coldplay, since I was 5 (I'm 13 now), and I would DIE if I got a shoutout from Chris Martin or even better, the whole band! This really isn't just your ordinary fangirl type of thing, believe me. Thanks! :)
The Oracle replies:
LP is short for long player and a long player is an album. When you see LP6, it refers to the 6th album - of which there is no news right now despite any rumours.
Latest photos of Chris Martin at the 9th Annual Authors Night, East Hampton, New York (10th August 2013):
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.