Idles: 'To need validation from awards would be toxic'
Idles say it is "toxic" to seek validation from awards.
The British band have been nominated for five Grammys, including three rock nods for their most recent album, 'Tangk' and while they are grateful for the recognition, they insisted they won't rely on awards for validation.
Singer/songwriter Joe Talbot said: "You shouldn’t ask another person for validation, you should be able to just believe in yourself. But we have entered into a conversation of validation by making something and putting it out into the world — which is the Grammy conversation. It’s not something you root for or beg for — you work for it. So I understand how lucky I am and I’m very grateful to be here, and to be part of that conversation is beautiful. But to need validation from the award itself would be toxic."
The band are set to begin recording their sixth album soon and Joe revealed the inspiration was "love".
He said: "It’s always love. The reason I started the band is because I want to feel part of something much greater than myself. Seeking something better for everyone around you, not just yourself — that’s what love is; that’s what empathy is. It’s not my job to complain about how c*** our government is and how dystopian the world is, and I’m not saying ‘Chin up, man, it’ll be alright.’ I’m saying ‘You’re not alone.’ And people who feel they are not alone are less scared, and less likely to turn to the quick fix of right-wing politics, and are more likely to listen to other people’s opinions.
"My mum always said, ‘The boring get bored while the interesting stay interested.’ And I think if you’re interested, you have to go beyond your village perspective. If you stay within your lane, you’re gonna end up with six fingers — creative inbreeding. I’m influenced by so many things and I want to celebrate that. We’re not interested in staying in the village — there’s a beautiful world out there."
The British band have been nominated for five Grammys, including three rock nods for their most recent album, 'Tangk' and while they are grateful for the recognition, they insisted they won't rely on awards for validation.
Singer/songwriter Joe Talbot said: "You shouldn’t ask another person for validation, you should be able to just believe in yourself. But we have entered into a conversation of validation by making something and putting it out into the world — which is the Grammy conversation. It’s not something you root for or beg for — you work for it. So I understand how lucky I am and I’m very grateful to be here, and to be part of that conversation is beautiful. But to need validation from the award itself would be toxic."
The band are set to begin recording their sixth album soon and Joe revealed the inspiration was "love".
He said: "It’s always love. The reason I started the band is because I want to feel part of something much greater than myself. Seeking something better for everyone around you, not just yourself — that’s what love is; that’s what empathy is. It’s not my job to complain about how c*** our government is and how dystopian the world is, and I’m not saying ‘Chin up, man, it’ll be alright.’ I’m saying ‘You’re not alone.’ And people who feel they are not alone are less scared, and less likely to turn to the quick fix of right-wing politics, and are more likely to listen to other people’s opinions.
"My mum always said, ‘The boring get bored while the interesting stay interested.’ And I think if you’re interested, you have to go beyond your village perspective. If you stay within your lane, you’re gonna end up with six fingers — creative inbreeding. I’m influenced by so many things and I want to celebrate that. We’re not interested in staying in the village — there’s a beautiful world out there."
