The Oracle debates Radiohead, Xmas/Mince Spies, Coldplay tributes, Anchorman and more...

More questions answered by The Oracle... (circa. 5000! questions now answered - submit yours now. Also via Twitter!)

October 3, 2013 - submitted by Lou F, United Kingdom

Q. Hi Oracle, I came across a wiki page article today that talked about Coldplay working with Radiohead during the late 90s before OK Computer. I don't believe it's real. But it's rather amusing. Just wanted to clarify, this didn't really happen, did it?

The Oracle replies:

There is no truth in that wiki article at all. I do have an early days Radiohead tale to regale. Phil Harvey - who went to University in Oxford - took a Coldplay demo to a bakery. Why did he do that? I hear you ask. The bakery was owned by a relation of a Radiohead band member and Phil asked them to pass it along. Whether it was ever listened to remains a mystery. I can hear you ask again - no, this has nothing to do with Coldplay's studio being called The Bakery.

October 3, 2013 - submitted by Nicklaus, United States of America

Q. Dear Oracle, Being a sort of journalist on the website for the best band in the world, what advice would you give to creative writers and aspiring novelists?

The Oracle replies:

Many moons ago I wanted to be a journalist so feel blessed to have landed in this arena though I am far from being a pro journalist. My advice is two-fold. Do learn the craft as best you can and do write every single day. Take it as seriously as any job. Writing is a very competitive world and it could take your first or hundredth attempt before you get published - if ever. Don't give up. Keep a diary, write a blog, whatever but just don't stop writing.

October 3, 2013 - submitted by Frisby, United States of America

Q. Do you have a favorite fictional character?

The Oracle replies:

I have several but if I had to choose one, I'd have to say Rocky Balboa.

October 2, 2013 - submitted by Abigail, twitter

Q. @jcwg Do u have any remedies for insomnia u can share? #whenufeelsotiredbutujustcantsleep

The Oracle replies:

When I've suffered with insomnia I have employed various techniques to help. The first one I found really important: don't stress about it. I discovered that if I just lay still and rested without getting worked up over not sleeping, I wouldn't feel as drained the following day. That meant my body was rested so then I tackled the mind. Meditation was a great aid. That's what eventually worked for me. Also consider switching off all stimulating media devices well in advance of bedtime, no alcohol or caffeine, a warm bath, lavender scent on the pillow, low lighting in bedroom and perhaps even herbal remedies. Two other things I did were to shift the getting ready for bed routine (teeth brushing etc.) forward rather than immediately before bed which would wake me up. I also used to listen to relaxation music whilst lying on the floor with my legs vertically up against the wall. I know it sounds weird, but it just may work.

October 2, 2013 - submitted by Ruperto, twitter

Q. @ElChurroDeChris Hey Oracle, I was wondering were I could get LeftRightLeftRightLeft, I really want it :(

The Oracle replies:

I'm afraid that lrlrl is no longer available for download. To save you spamming me, I've answered a couple more: Yes, I've cried to Fix You. No, I won't marry you - but thank you. I'd say it's a close between Anchorman & myself who uses the Internet more but not sure either of us are "addicted". We love it though and would be lost without it.

October 2, 2013 - submitted by MF, United States of America

Q. I heard Trouble in a documentary called Maxed Out about people who use their credit cards so much that their lives are completely ruined. Which led me to wonder, does the band know every place their music ends up at? I know you've said plenty of times that the record label company makes the decision to allow it or not, but does the band get any say? It was kind of a weird inclusion of the song.

The Oracle replies:

That's not strictly what I have said. It's true in some cases that the label and publisher make the decision but yes, the band do sometimes have a say. They're not always consulted but there are things they would be asked about or indeed know about and want to be involved in. However, the example you've given is one of several thousands that would be impossible to count. Those plays come under what's called a blanket agreement where permission isn't needed, not even from any third party. Artists still get paid but under a generic license rather than an individual one. ps Surely getting into debt got them into trouble. Tenuous link hence choice of song.

October 1, 2013 - submitted by Charl, United Kingdom

Q. I listened to Chris sing Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas on YouTube and I loved it instantly, so I just wondered if it is available to buy somewhere? Thanks.

The Oracle replies:

There was a compilation charity CD released in 2002 called Maybe This Christmas that the track appeared on - you should still be able to get it. Other than that, the only other official recording of it is on the Mince Spies CD but that was never available to buy as it was a free giveaway (in 2000). Copies do turn up from time to time on auction sites etc.

October 1, 2013 - submitted by Josue, United Kingdom

Q. Hi Oracle, I have a question: when you created the account @ColdplayOracle followed @Roadie_42 why not now?

The Oracle replies:

I wasn't concentrating. I was convinced Roadie #42 once had a twitter account but as it's not our fella, I stopped following. I will start following people soon but I'm hoping more followers get involved with asking questions and Team Oracle replies rather than retweeting first.

October 1, 2013 - submitted by Stephen, United States of America

Q. My friend and I are starting a small band in which we'll cover the almighty Coldplay along with a song or two that I've written. The problem is we can't decide what to name ourselves. I came up with Poppyfields and him with Perpetual Obscurity. We would like a name based on the Band or anything related. I would love to see what Team Oracle could come up with, too! Thanks. Stephen

The Oracle replies:

Poppyfields is infinitely the better of the two. I wouldn't even consider Perpetual Obscurity for a nano second. It sounds like a bad movie when taken out of context. I can hear the voice over man announcing "coming to a cinema near you". It's too pretentious a band name in my opinion. My advice is to choose the name depending on what audience you're aiming for. If you're doing your own stuff and a few covers by different bands, don't pick an obvious Coldplay related name. If you're going to be a Coldplay tribute act, decide whether you're wanting to appeal to die hard fans of the band or everyone. I'm sure there are many tribute acts out there with the same name but someone who has only heard the band's singles wouldn't get that Twisted Logic are a Coldplay tribute act. Many opt for a play on words (gosh, already a pun in itself) - Coldplace etc. I would ask Team Oracle but already got one in mind for this week and you may be in a hurry. I'll tweet it from my @ColdplayOracle for you & see what happens.

September 30, 2013 - submitted by Gabriel, Brazil

Q. Hello Oracle! I was listening to the excerpt of So Sad, by Coldplay Have you ever heard it in its entirety? Stylistically, is it similar to the other songs from the Safety EP?

The Oracle replies:

I have and yes, I'd say that it is closer to the Safety EP in style than anything else the band have released. It was written & recorded (for demo purposes only) around the same time as Don't Panic which although was being performed live, was originally discarded as a potential album track. It was quite a late decision to include it on Parachutes.

September 30, 2013 - submitted by Salete, Brazil

Q. Dear Oracle: The Anchorman is a young, old or is he immortal? PS: I love the Anchorman.

The Oracle replies:

Anchorman is as timeless as a work of art or piece of classical music yet like a fine wine he gets better with age. I'm more like a cheese that becomes more powerful but then goes a bit mouldy.

September 30, 2013 - submitted by Miguel, Mexico

Q. Dear Oracle: I read on a previous question about this time when the band left the stadium after the concert and half an hour later they were able to see the crowd leaving the venue from their plane because it was so close to the airport. My question is: Did this happen in Mexico City? Because our airport is literally a few blocks away from the Foro Sol stadium, practically in the middle of the city. (Did you know that pilots get paid more for landing in Mexico City because of how difficult and dangerous is to land at our airport?)

The Oracle replies:

Indeed I think it actually was, Miguel. That would have been after the show in March 2010. I was on that tour so it makes sense now looking back. I did not know that about the pilots but I doubt that applied to our flight. We had the same pilot for the entire tour. I recall the second in command was called Nacho.