Host: Jonny Greenwood, hi, how are you?

Jonny: I'm good, how are you?

Host: I'm fine, thank you.

[cut]

Host: You know, Jonny, this is really great and hard start for me, because I was following Radiohead all over the Europe, I've seen so many times and I was watching your concerts, so this is for me something... not happening... that you are standing here right to me, so thank you for this!

Jonny: That's so sweet of you, thank you!

Host: That was strange beginning, but I wanted to ask you about your beginnings and the beginning of your interest with Poland. I mean about the first time you found Krzysztof Penderecki, do you remember the time? The moment?

Jonny: Yes, I do remember. First as a recording and someone showed me the score when I was at college. And then I went to see a concert that he was conducting and I stood at the front, and at the end I stood up to give him a standing ovation because it was so amazing, and no-one else in the room was standing. But I was so overwhelmed – I was starstruck. It's funny. For me he's a real hero, because he learnt about electronic music and then went back to the orchestra, and made all these magical sounds using very old-fashioned technology like violins and violas. And, to me, I found that very inspiring.

Host: How does it feel to meet Krzysztof Penderecki on stage?

Jonny: Well, I've been following him around, and been obsessed with him, and it's very unreal, and I can't quite believe its happening tomorrow. I'm very happy, very excited.

Host: So you exactly what am I feeling right now. Now I need to translate the whole story...

[cut]

Host: Philip was telling the whole story about the beginning of the co-operation. I mean, you guys, do you remember the moment he came with this proposition and did you believe it the first time?

Jonny: No, I didn't believe. I'm still not sure it's gonna happen. I've met, now, with Krzysztof Penderecki and he's charming and very encouraging and interested. I can't wait for tomorrow. And to see him conduct his music, you have to see the music live. A recording...it's not the same as his music. You have to all the violins and hear his wonderful textures happening in the room and you see that it's beautiful.

Host: But you have already rehearsed here, how was it?

Jonny: The best orchestra I've ever seen, ever worked with. They're incredible. We had 2 days for practising and they were amazing from the moment I arrived. Loved them. Amazing.

Host: And what's going to be your role tomorrow, particularly?

Jonny: I have to do lots of sweating and feel very self-conscious and awkward, and I have to put up with Penderecki looking at me because I've stolen so many of his ideas, so that's what tomorrow is about.

[cut]

Host: But it's gonna be your first great, uhhh, I hope great concert here in Wroclaw, but on 11th of September, we'll meet in Krakow.

Jonny: Right

Host: Doing Sacrum Profanum festival. And then it's gonna be Steve Reich and Jonny Greenwood.

Jonny: Exactly.

Host: Yeah, so what about Steve Reich? Is he that important to you, as Krzysztof Penderecki?

Jonny: Yes, so different, such a different approach to music. I love how complicated his music is, from such a simple, you know, seed, and can generate wonderful emotions. People think of the music as being cold, but it really isn't. To me, it's a very human music, I'd [be] very foolish to [think that] I'd be able to play some.

Host: So your version of "Electric Counterpoint", how will it be? Can we imagine what will happen? Or will it just happen and then we'll see and understand?

Jonny: I'm not sure what'll happen. I mean, I've practised the whole time and I'm obsessed a little bit with it. What to expect? I don't know...A lot of guitarists play it as a way of showing off all the different sounds they can make, but to me it's a very pure piece of music, just an electric guitar and nothing else. So that's how I'm gonna try and play it.


Host: And to translate...

[cut]

[male Polish radio guest finishes talking]

Host: Do you want me to translate what he said?

Jonny: No, he kept smiling at me so it's gonna be embarrassing whatever it is.

Host: No, no, it was really wise, really-really wise. No, he said that being the guitarist is more natural for you than being a composer, would you agree?

Jonny: I'm a pretty clumsy guitar player, as well, that doesn't feel that natural to me. But yeah, that's what my day job is, for sure. My manager over there is nodding as I describe myself as clumsy!

[cut]

Host: Would you find any difference between the world of Radiohead and this kind of music and the world of Krzysztof Penderecki, Steve Reich... Do you give any names to the music or do you treat like a great wide world?

Jonny: Yeah...I suppose in a selfish way we, as a band, look at all these sounds as things we can take and we want and aspire to and wish we could make music that had that in it. And usually we can't, but, you know, we aim high and we end up somewhere else, usually,. Like, in the past, we tried copying Miles Davis' records even though none of us played trumpets or jazz or anything, but, you know, you try and copy something great. And you miss but it's interesting sometimes.

[cut]

Host: OK, guys, have a great time here in Poland.

Jonny: Thank you.

Host: We keep, uhhh, fingers crossed? This is the way we say in English, yes?

Jonny: Yeah.

Host: For you, for tomorrow. And I hope to see you in Krakow.

Jonny: See you in Krakow.