FILTER Issue 51

FILTER proudly presents “Thom Yorke Detonates Atoms for Peace.”

In his latest musical venture in an overwhelmingly influential career, Thom Yorke is poised to debut Amok, the first release from his new group Atoms for Peace. The band stands as an inventive collaboration of iconic musicians combining traditional instruments, computers, and found sounds, and art by longtime Radiohead collaborator Stanley Donwood, infused with Yorke’s stretched and haunting vocals. In a rare press interview, Thom Yorke – accompanied by Stanley Donwood – speaks to FILTER (via Skype) for a candid conversation covering everything from the creation of the band and the record, to geometry, philosophy, climate change and the Cold War.


Thom Yorke on how Atoms for Peace came about:
 

After years of searching for an excuse to work with American drummer Joey Waronker (Beck, R.E.M.) and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, Yorke says it was their interest in his 2006 solo debut, The Eraser, that finally brought them together. “That got me thinking,” says Yorke in an interview exclusively for FILTER Magazine. “I sent the e-mail around and said, ‘If they get back to me soon, then I’ll do it’…” says Yorke, continuing “Flea and Joey got back to me within an hour. So it was on.”
 

The 44-year-old Yorke grew up in the shadows of the Cold War, which inspired the band’s name, “atoms for peace,” pulled from a speech given by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to the United Nations in December 1953, while the world was in the fearful early stages of nuclear research and on the brink of the Cold War.
 

“The band is driven from a different place [from Radiohead],” explains Yorke. FILTER readers and fans will find out just how different on February 26th, when Atoms for Peace drops their first LP Amok.

 

Additional highlights from FILTER 51 featuring Thom Yorke include exclusive articles featuring:

This Is Forty? The Spiritually Triumphant Films of Harmony Korine featuring James Franco on Harmony Korine

Now at 40-years-old the rebellious writer–director Harmony Korine (Kids, Mister Lonely) shares his provocative career with FILTER, leading readers up to his most ambitious (and most mainstream) film to date, Spring Breakers, in theaters March 2013. Plus, Best Actor Oscar-nominee James Franco talks about working with Korine and his role in Spring Breakers.
 

Shooting Daggers: The Knife Break Their Silence

After seven years of press silence, The Knife granted their first exclusive interview to FILTER, as they prepare to release their first new album since 2009, Shaking the Habitual set for release in April 2013.
 

Icona Pop: Contrast and Conquer

A colorful eight-page fashion spread shot by Piper Ferguson – plus interview – featuring FILTER Culture Collide ’12 artist Icona Pop.
 

The Whole Thing Just Seemed Kind of Mystical: The Story of Rocket from the Crypt

FILTER pays tribute to the beloved San Diego–based rock outfit, with interviews with the band friends including The Hives lead singer Pelle Almqvist; Superchunk bassist and Merge Records co-founder Laura Balance; and pro-wrestler Phillip Brooks, aka: CM Punk.

COVER
WEIRD FISSION: THOM YORKE DETONATES ATOMS FOR PEACE

FEATURES

THIS IS FORTY?: THE SPIRITUALLY TRIUMPHANT FILMS OF HARMONY KORINE [WITH JAMES FRANCO]

GREETINGS FROM THE GROWLERS

SHOOTING DAGGERS: THE KNIFE BREAK THEIR SILENCE

IT'S A DUNGEON FAMILY AFFAIR: FREE-FALLIN' WITH BIG BOI AND LITTLE DRAGON

THE STARGAZER: KID KOALA AND THE ART OF THE AWESTRUCK

TRIBUTE
THE WHOLE THING JUST SEEMED KIND OF MYSTICAL: THE STORY OF ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT

F-STOP
ICONA POP: CONTRAST AND CONQUER

SOUND ESCAPES
MELBOURNE MAGIC: A BIG DAY OUT DOWN UNDER

GETTING TO KNOW
VILLAGERS
ICEAGE
ÓLAFUR ARNALDS
JULIAN LYNCH

YOU SHOULD ALREADY KNOW
EELS

REVIEWS
EARS
EYES

ENDNOTE
by JAMIE LIDELL