You And Whose Army - Radiohead (Piano Cover)

I've not done one of these for a while, but it seems the mojo is back after a little while, and its a rainy Saturday evening, so why not!
Not sure why this song has been swimming around my head over the past couple of days, but its a goodun right? I guess there's a lot of people currently fighting and struggling in various ways, political, economic, and this track has got a primal, goading rage about it, which feels pretty appropriate these days, whatever side of whatever fence you happen to be nearby.
Technical nerdery... vocal recorded with SM58, piano recorded from behind with a spaced pair of Rode NT5s, and a pair of AKG451s were up in the room in a fairly random spot (I have them ready to record whether they're being actually 'deployed' or not). The laptop which was recording the video was also recording a mono track from the little internal mic. I did a little bit of mixing in Logic but I've made a point of not spending a whole load of time on tweaking these. Some tape-saturation and delay, reverb, and my fairly standard chain to brighten up the piano a bit with exciter, EQ and such. Some automation as the track progresses, but no autotune (fairly obviously!) and all one take (the 3rd take of a bunch, that was the first without headphones, which felt a bit more natural).
Video was recorded on a laptop in less than ideal lighting conditions... so I did a bit of processing to make it a little more stylised. The 'glow' effect in Videopad has one control... 'glowiness'.

[@rodrigocostinha96]

I´m addicted to this version. Now I just want a piano and a mic to do this by myself.

[@distance_to_empty]

Ah thanks! You should do it!!! I have a pair of mics down behind the piano and the vocal mic.

[@somethingcreativeprobably5160]

​@@distance_to_emptycan I have a try too😩

[@ninjasaurxd]

Absolutely fantastic. I’ve rewatched those over 10 times the last 5 days so I figured I should let you know how incredible this is :)

[@ninjasaurxd]

Also if you ever would like to create a tutorial or something that would be fantastic, your arrangement is objectively the best one on youtube and I would love to play even 5% as good as you have in this cover

[@distance_to_empty]

Ah wow, thanks so much for that comment. It means a great deal to know that there are people out there enjoying this stuff as much as I enjoy creating it!

[@akrisband]

Duuuude when you broke into “We Ride Tonight”……GOOSEBUMPS!!! Emotional now!!! I love you!!! I think I’m crushing on you now!! 😍😍😍

[@distance_to_empty]

☺️ Glad you enjoyed!

[@ksenijapopovic]

I’m speechless. The whole cover is stunning, but your vocals when you break into the chorus are mindblowing.

[@distance_to_empty]

Oh wow! Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed!

[@goncalofreitas2094]

Just perfect... I'm amazed at how beautiful this sounds, the vocals are on point!

[@distance_to_empty]

Such a kind comment, thank you!

[@benjicrane]

This was very randomly suggested to me on my feed. A video like that really amplifies the great depth of composition and complexity of this piece. Radiohead forever! Great playing man

[@distance_to_empty]

Hey thanks. Yeah, musically its interesting. It doesn’t follow the traditional song structure, but the way the “verses” go round the circle of fifths as they do makes it really satisfying to play, and then the end jump from minor to parallel major really makes you dig in when playing. Thanks for taking the time to reach out!

[@kadenpile-riley2170]

This is so good man. This is one of my favorite Radiohead songs

[@distance_to_empty]

Thank you! Yeah, even in their most experimental period, they were bashing out absolute tunes like this!

[@kadenpile-riley2170]

@@distance_to_empty Definitely! I’d love to hear your take on morning bell or morning bell amnesiac

[@andrewcrowder4958]

Thank you for performing a rest at the end, giving the song time to fully flower and then depart.

[@distance_to_empty]

Ha, yes. Getting my breath back!

[@terkaslaninova3324]

maan, i seriously love you. i listen to this version before I go to sleep. your voice and the piano work together so well... you captured the atmosphere of this song perfectly. thank you for this cover 🙏

[@distance_to_empty]

Ah thanks so much for that. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@nuck1114]

I’m usually not a big cover kind of guy, but this was fantastic. Love hearing the whole piano version as well. Nice Job!

[@distance_to_empty]

Thanks for taking the time to listen and comment. Much appreciated.

[@kramerRCS]

2:27 is seriously amazing

[@distance_to_empty]

Yeah, that minor to major change is great fun to play! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@nicelooser]

a piano tutorial would be greatly appreciated, your version is the best on youtube easily

[@ninjasaurxd]

pretty pretty pls!!

[@foxbricks6173]

I love this song and you’ve certainly done it justice

[@distance_to_empty]

Thank you!

[@RichardJames12]

Ah mate this is absolutely incredible. I needed this today.

[@distance_to_empty]

Ah thanks for watching and taking the time to comment. Its amazing what the right music at the right time can do. Take care.

[@nauticalnun407]

This is hauntingly beautiful! Good job!

[@distance_to_empty]

Thank you. Pleased to have haunted you! Thanks for watching and commenting, its much appreciated.

[@erikathomas2657]

That was done very well.

[@distance_to_empty]

Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@antonlarsen6568]

Absolutely amazing cover mate. This made me decide to learn this on the piano:)

[@distance_to_empty]

Ah brilliant!

[@markhayes4608]

Some voice!

[@distance_to_empty]

Thank you for watching and the nice comment!

[@KidWizard1]

Very nice. You captured the atmosphere of the song well.

[@distance_to_empty]

Ah thanks for watching and taking the time to comment! Much appreciated.

[@Alvaro-hn1dw]

That was fantastic man

[@distance_to_empty]

Thanks so much!

[@balladbargen]

Gotta say I love it , wish you would put it in Spotify.

[@distance_to_empty]

Hey thanks! Actually, I have been thinking about getting some of these up on Spotify etc. Watch this space!

[@balladbargen]

Love you man , keep it up

[@a_leon5]

MAN, THIS IS GREAT!!!!

[@distance_to_empty]

Thanks so much!

[@jimkujur]

Dude this is exceptionally good. My greetings to you, fellow radiohead-head.

[@distance_to_empty]

Ah thanks!

[@frankslade33]

Epic. Totally learning this next.

[@distance_to_empty]

Do it!

[@spantsoputio8654]

Really good my dude!

[@distance_to_empty]

Ah thanks so much for taking the time to watch and comment. 😊

[@str1xxx116]

very cool, I even got goosebumps

[@distance_to_empty]

Hey, thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Outsquatchin]

Beautiful man!!

[@distance_to_empty]

Thank you for watching!

[@cocopopsbrahhh]

sick cover man!

[@distance_to_empty]

Thanks so much!

[@AlexandreSalesMusic]

Beautiful cover!!! 💙

[@distance_to_empty]

Thanks so much!

[@huh1915]

This is now my favorite cover of this song. You were amazing!

[@distance_to_empty]

Ah thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. Such a fun song to play.

[@basticedar]

dude nice work. loved it

[@distance_to_empty]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed, its a fun one to play. That ending!

[@58_chinmaygadhave26]

Woahhhh! Damn bro….its smooth. Loved it!

[@distance_to_empty]

Thanks for watching!

[@MessagesForTheFuture]

Beautiful cover, this inspires me a lot

[@distance_to_empty]

Great! Thanks for watching and commenting Kevin.

[@agnesediguardo8390]

You feel like Tom.I live in Rome and I met him in Via Condotti two years ago, a street very chic in Rome.

[@distance_to_empty]

Oh amazing. Did you chat?

[@agnesediguardo8390]

@@distance_to_empty yes

[@expressingentertainment4945]

So amazing love this!🎶

[@distance_to_empty]

Thanks so much!

[@bikeswillsavetheworld]

Wow! Great cover.

[@distance_to_empty]

Thanks so much!

[@pinkpanther0001]

Good job mate

[@distance_to_empty]

Thanks!

[@cornwallacemontgomery]

Wow, amazing cover. Piano sounds incredible

[@distance_to_empty]

Thanks so much! Yeah I love this piano. Nothing fancy and probably time for an upgrade or at least some maintenance, but not bad for like £200 I think it was!

[@pedrosolermartinez6273]

Loved it

[@distance_to_empty]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@haz4dc394]

Amazing

[@distance_to_empty]

Thank you for watching!

[@colinwoonsue]

He sounds like The National in this….if I didn’t see him I would’ve THOUGHT IT WAS The National 😊

[@distance_to_empty]

Ah! I should probably try a cover of something by The National in that case!

[@colinwoonsue]

@@distance_to_empty “Pink Rabbits”, please and thank you!!🙏🏼

[@colinwoonsue]

@@distance_to_empty kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpjbfWdrn5uWgbcsi=kKz1e3yMBnng1uSe

[@NickSpaceSA]

Thank you. You are saving my evening.

[@distance_to_empty]

Ah good. A Radiohead fan I suspect?!

[@NickSpaceSA]

@@distance_to_empty can’t say that I’m their biggest fan, but I like a lot of their stuff

[@koig8393]

You nailed 2:13

[@distance_to_empty]

Ha! Yeah, I’m digging in at that point!!!

[@tarekstenseth4249]

Fucking amazing. Love this version a lot

[@distance_to_empty]

Thanks! Much appreciated.

[@niko_iseof]

Это очень хорошо!

[@distance_to_empty]

Thank you!

[@anarpianoplayer5133]

Great👍

[@distance_to_empty]

Thank you!

[@jayferrante7267]

Amazing cover. Would love a tutorial.

[@ItsHakki]

Holy shit, that was amazing!

[@distance_to_empty]

Thanks so much for watching! More coming soon I promise.

[@blackphantom4076]

Really nice man, really nice

[@distance_to_empty]

Thank you for watching and commenting. More stuff to come (including some more Radiohead, naturally!)

[@radikalmoney5471]

so beautiful...😀😇

[@distance_to_empty]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

[@apollogeist8513]

Reminds me of the old Radiohead webcasts

[@ajbecovering1601]

Awesome

[@distance_to_empty]

Thanks!

[@kevtd23]

Sofa King Good!!!!

[@distance_to_empty]

Haha! Took me a moment to get that. Thanks!

[@extraterrestrialbeats3590]

awesome

[@distance_to_empty]

Thanks for watching!

[@zofo23]

Love tha

[@distance_to_empty]

Thanks! More to come soon.

[@SuperDaxos]

PERFECT

[@distance_to_empty]

Thanks so much for watching.

[@SuperDaxos]

@@distance_to_empty Wanted to leave another comment as I really thought you needed to hear this. I can't explain why but this cover is one of the best things I have ever experienced. And for some reason, you are also perhaps the only cover out there that actually gets the hidden notes correct. Don't know why but all covers seem to miss a couple of notes and parts in the melody or however you call it - I have zero theoretical knowledge of music. Then I looked at some other covers of yours and they are extremely good as well. It almost feels like something I have never experienced is now being opened up to me. This comment might perhaps be the weirdest you've gotten, but I felt like I needed to say it

[@distance_to_empty]

@@SuperDaxos Ah wow, thanks again, I'm so grateful to receive feedback like this. It means a great deal. Its also s really interesting to hear that you've picked up on some of the subtleties in these performances. I'm aware they are technically imperfect but I always try to choose a take (from maybe 3 or 4 attempts) that *feels* like the right one, even if there's a an odd bum note in either the piano or vocal. I also try and make sure that the recordings and mixing suit the track. My piano has a great mellow tone which helps for this style of track. Much appreciated. I hope to get some more tracks up soon.

[@FroGGi1989]

fuck yeah

[@distance_to_empty]

🤘

[@sayumiranasinghe]

wow!! is there sheet music for this? your voice is beautiful!

[@distance_to_empty]

Ah thanks! I’m sure there is sheet music around for this track, however I tend to work things out by ear and then perform with the lyrics printed and a few musical reminders scribbled around them!

[@davidanderson2507]

Love the piano sound but PLEASE have it tuned ASAP! C'mon!

[@distance_to_empty]

You’ll be pleased to learn that i no longer have that piano!

[@andrewcrowder4958]

Great rendition. It would be be if you played it as a march rather than a dirge.

[@manirad6118]

Try se electronics v7 mic 🎤👌

[@MoIndayo]

better when original