@Fender: We’re excited to host Ed O’Brien for an AMA (Ask Me Anything) today! Ed designed the EOB Sustainer Strat, alongside playing guitar in @radiohead, and just released his debut album “Earth” as @EOBOfficial. Drop your questions below and he’ll answer some over the next hour!
1.
@SandraTello: Hey, ED... I speak for myself but I know that I also speak for many people when I say that I hope in the near future a collaboration between you and Johnny Marr. (And a lot of exchange of opinions about Manchester United and City).
@EOBOfficial: Aside from obvious football tension, it would be an absolute joy and honour to collaborate with Johnny again, as we did for the seven worlds collide project...
2.
@SaurioBellamy_:Hi Ed! Congrats on this new album, it's great! Are you familiar with your bandmates' solo stuff? (Thom, Phil, Jonny...) What are your favourite tracks by them? And what's your favourite track on your own album? Thank you :)
@EOBOfficial: Yes of course .. I love what they do .. suspiria is such an extraordinarily beautiful piece of music
3.
@kspicknell: Have you thoughts about the forthcoming Hologram Electronics Microcosm?
@EOBOfficial: Crikey
4.
@Chrisx5x5: Ed, what type of bass did you play on EARTH, and on which tracks?
@EOBOfficial: I played bass on Shangri-La, Deep Days... the easy bit on Olympik... and the bass that I played was a 1964 P Bass
5.
@Chrisx5x5: Dear Ed, We were lucky enough to see you at the Poisson Rouge in February. You told a story about the checkout line at Whole Foods and I'd love for you to tell it again so more fans can hear it. The new record is beautiful from front to back and I can't wait for what's next.
@EOBOfficial: It's the morning of my first solo show in NYC... I'm nervous.. The lady at the checkout at Whole Foods looked up at me and said out of the blue... didn't know who I was, you're a musician and you need to fully express yourself. A very deep and profound moment for me
6.
@pablohonky: Hello, kind sir, thank you for doing this. What would you say the most important messages of your debut album are?
@EOBOfficial: It’s about emerging out of the darkness into the light
7.
@gatitotonto: Hey, Ed. When do you decide to add special and ambient sounds to a song? And also, what do you think it was the most difficult thing to create on this album?
@EOBOfficial: In Radiohead, whenever I'm allowed! ... then for me, it's all about whether I feel the song needs it
8.
@MandlDA: Now that Earth is out, have you felt any urge to create more solo material? Or is that difficult to measure while you're still (hoping to) tour the record? Also, how aware are you of the in-joke among RH fans that some of your backup vocals sound like you're singing "EEEDDD"?
@EOBOfficial: YES I feel ready to move on musically... and I'm hoping that this time can be inspiring... And I wasn't aware of this up to a month ago but it has been drawn to my attention quite a lot and now I understand the Weird Fishes moment in the gig
9.
@loudaldairni: I'm so into your guitar sound design, and i wonder: What is your best advice for making ambient with guitar? Which guitar pedal is your favorite for it? What is your guitar tunning? Do you use a pick or fingers?
@EOBOfficial: Ambient guitar parts always use fingers, essential guitar pedal deluxe memory man.. kind of essential EOB Strat... whatever tuning you want... and then just do it
10.
@sortedforwizz: Hi, Ed. I hope you're well. Been trying to learn to play the guitar for quite sometime now. Even purchased a 3/4 sized one, thinking it'd make it easier. But it doesn't. What the h*** is wrong here, Ed? How do I get my fingers to cooperate? Getting desperate here. Cheers tho!
@EOBOfficial: :D :D :D It's all about putting the time in... patience and tenacity... young apprentice
11.
@SandraTello: The other day I saw a post by Brian May playing an EOB Sustainer Strat and I thought how wonderful it is that geniuses like him play your guitar and discover the possibility of wonderful new sounds. How does it make you feel?
@EOBOfficial: Very warm and very surreal... Brian May is a legend and a wonderful player... I love his guitar sound
12.
@PensineMutine: Hi Ed! Was wondering whether the inverted open triangle/pyramid on the cover of your album which happens to be the symbol of the divine feminine was actually intended or purely coincidental? Same as EARTH being the anagram of HEART (if you move the 'h' to the other end) ?
@EOBOfficial: It is intentional!! And that sign is also the sign for Earth
13.
@TheSquidreview: What are your favorite parts you've written for both Earth and A Moon Shaped Pool?
@EOBOfficial: Daydreaming in A Moon Shaped Pool, and Olympik in Earth
14.
@JCahill5150: Which musician or band has had the greatest influence on the music you create? I love the new album by the way
@EOBOfficial: There is no single musician, but I've always been open about my influences... from Johnny Marr to Brian Eno to Bill Withers
15.
@bacon4lyf: Hi Ed! The burning question all of us have is are those your dogs in the vids you’ve been recently. posting and what are their names?
@EOBOfficial: one is our dog... and one isn't! the dog with the hose is called Rizzo and she's a guest, the other dog is ours and she's called Ziggy.. but she doesn't like Twitter
16.
@edobriengod: hello ed!! first i just want to thank you for making me interested in learning how to play guitar! secondly would you consider coming to pittsburgh,pa after everything dies down and concerts are able to happen? much love xx
@EOBOfficial: Thank you! Of course, whenever this ends I would love to come to Pittsburgh... as part of an extensive and joyful tour
17.
@captain_wow: Hello Ed! Two part question if you could condense your guitar rig to 4 pedals, 2 guitars, and 1 amp. What would you choose to keep/dispose of? Do you wait until a song is completely realized to make executive decisions on it, or do you gradually change things as you go?
@EOBOfficial: The guitars... EOB strat and a Rickenbacker 360 One amp... Fender Vibro-King Four pedals.. whammy, deluxe memory man, Hudson sidecar, MXR flanger
18.
@benindaplace: Hi Ed, have you ever visited France ? Which parts did you enjoy the most ?
@EOBOfficial: I love the Ardeches.....
19.
@KcurmanJ: Hey Ed, why did you choose olympic white for your signature Stratocaster? Btw absolutely loooove your new record. It gives me peace.
@EOBOfficial: so thankful that you feel the record .. Olympic white is just right .. don’t know but love white guitars
20.
@DrawMyDissolver: Hi Ed! I want to ask you about tinnitus. Do you suffer from it? I have had it for three weeks now and it has been impossible to enjoy music ever since this started. I'm feeling very hopeless and would love some advice on how to deal. I have read meditation works for some. Love.
@EOBOfficial: Really important question, and yes I have suffered from tinnitus... but what you have to remember about it is, it is caused not just from overexposure to loud music and sounds... there are often medical reasons so it's important to get medical advice and speak to people who've had similar experiences. In my experience it's totally treatable, but patience is required... good luck!
21.
@GiganticLyingM: Hi! I havent seen you use the sustainer strat in the shows and tv appearances promoting Earth. Is it a radiohead only guitar, or did you use it on the solo record too? Love the album and love radiohead and lOve the strat
@EOBOfficial: It's all over EARTH but I've handed over sustainer duties to Ross Chapman my other guitarist... I can't sing and sustain at the same time
22.
@OK_Ideoteque: Hi Ed, I saw an interview where you said Radiohead only use a backing track on one song. Which song is it?
@EOBOfficial: You’re half right .. Colin triggers a backing track with his keyboard but the rest of us are playing live .. and that’s the only song live that is like that [The Gloaming]
23.
@manu_marr: Hi Ed. I hope you’re well and healthy. What are your thought about the Telecaster? And as a good fan of Andy Summer you are, do you like to use the flanger pedal too? What’s your favorite setting for your MXR? Many thanks and stay safe.
@EOBOfficial: Obviously a huge fan of teles... I've got a lovely Paul Waller custom tele. I don't use the flanger much these days but there's always one on the shelf. Thank you
24.
@virtualjaaames: do you ever look at a big pile of pedals and cables and think "ugh not today"
@EOBOfficial: Yes, every day at the moment... Since lockdown I haven't been inspired to pick up a guitar and I don't know why but I'm going with it...
25.
@aleluvskp: You said that in order to be inspired, you need to be in nature, I'm very much the same. How would you become inspired if you couldn't be in nature, especially in lockdown? Any creative ways to achieve a similar calm feeling and an earthly connection? Lots of love.
@EOBOfficial!: Through reading the right books and watching great films... good luck!
26.
@Laurynaldredx: hello ed, i am starting to get into the pixies, please recommend me a song or an album to listen to!! also when this is all over please come to either liverpool or manchester,i am dying to see you live!!
@EOBOfficial: Doolittle... no 13 baby is king
27.
@kutzkj3774: Hi Ed! Since this is the guitar channel, will ask guitar question. I have "The" Strat (God I'm in love with it), and I'm curious about how you use the sustainer- are you usually muting the volume, engaging the string and then swelling it up?
@EOBOfficial: I use the sustainer in any number of ways.. there is no right way, whatever feels good
28.
@manshar_: I read somewhere you said singing solo was the most difficult part. How did you eventually get comfortable/confident enough?I struggle with confidence in my singing (and hating my voice) as well. How did you get over those fears? Does it just come as you get better with practice?
@EOBOfficial: I haven't got there yet...but as with everything it's repetition and just doing it
29.
@hahayoufoundme: Hi Ed, thanks for completely changing my view on the guitar's capability. Just wondering, how are you? and what would you consider a good beginner pedal if I'm into texturey sounds like you've said on That Pedal Show? Hope you're doing well and thanks for everything you've done!
@EOBOfficial: Deluxe memory man... or any analogue delay pedal
30.
@brandonle9992: Ed, love the new album it is incredibly wholesome and genuine. Wondering how the music and culture of Brazil inspired the writing process and production process of the album?
@EOBOfficial: Firstly thank you so much.. Brasil is a colourful, warm, open hearted country and that's central to the record
31.
@ninestonecowboy: Hi Ed, fancy a pint down The Horse and Jockey?
@EOBOfficial: :D :D :D that would be a brilliant and wonderful way to spend some time with you my old friend!! X
32.
@DrawMyDissolver: 3rd question: Is there a specific string gauge you feel works especially well with the EOB strat? I have read that thicker means more effect on the sustain but do you find that to be true? Or conversely, is there such a thing as too much sustain?
@EOBOfficial: Shamefully I’ve stuck to 10’s ... need to diversify.. although
33.
@TheMarkJameson: What new guitars have you acquired recently and how are they inspiring you?
@EOBOfficial: Bought a ‘79 rickenbacker 330 but im@not sure it’s inspiring me at the moment
@EOBOfficial: Thank you everyone, thank you Fender.. great questions .. stay safe and well .. Big love EOBX
Comments