Kid Koala on Radiohead

Posted on October 26th, 2002.

Not many DJs can say they opened for Radiohead, but Kid Koala (a k a Eric San) can — he toured with Thom Yorke and Co. last year. Describe your style before I try to and screw it up. The Miami Herald asked him to describe his style: “It’s ”turntable cabaret.” I go into different areas, cutting up down-tempo breaks into some hip-hop, shift to a bit of electro. Now I have been playing with melody from watching guys like [Radiohead guitarist] Jonny Greenwood. I am using elements in sets that are pretty and subtle, but you’d notice if they weren’t there.”
What was it like opening for Radiohead? “I was really nervous. I had been in front of big crowds before when I toured with Money Mark of the Beastie Boys, but this time I was up there by myself in places like a packed Madison Square Garden. I opted for an artsy set. I knew it wasn’t going to turn into a bouncing hip-hop party, but that crowd is forward-thinking and it went better than I expected.” [full story]