'Weird Fishes/Arpeggi' - Oregon Koto-Kai (Radiohead cover)

This performance of "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi" was recorded and featured as part of Oregon Koto-Kai's 2021 Virtual Fall Concert. Original song composed by Radiohead, and the Japanese koto cover arranged by Josh Faber-Hammond. This was our first performance of the piece and our first performance in the same room together since the start of the pandemic.

The iconic song was the fourth track from Radiohead's album In Rainbows, released in 2007. It was selected for arrangement because its sweeping arpeggios and interlocking rhythms take full advantage of the koto's sonic range and traditional playing techniques. Each individual koto part is relatively simple to play on its surface, but the composition's understated use of polymeter and counterpoint made this a fun and challenging piece to perform as an ensemble.

Special thanks to Beast, Please Be Still Media for filming and producing this video.

*This video, as well as all others on our channel, are inherently non-political and intended to spread joy and cultural awareness through music. Any discussion of masking policies or adherence to COVID safety recommendations in the comments will be considered off-topic and removed. Thank you for understanding.

[oregonkotokai]

Wow, we're so thankful for all the positive feedback on this video, and we're glad we could share it with so many Radiohead fans around the world. For those of you wanting a better quality recording, our group is in the middle of recording our debut album right now and this is one of the pieces that's going to get the proper studio treatment. We expect it will come out sometime next year. Stay tuned!

[meatballman]

I'm sure this will just be lost in the sea of comments, but this is insanely beautiful. I was in chills all the way through out. This is the best cover of any Radiohead song ever made.

[rayvanwayenburg]

This is a testament to both the brilliance of Radiohead and the koto players. Such a complex, syncopated tune. Really beautiful.

[brandonleeweihan]

Jonny's part was played perfectly. the amount of concentration from all of them is stunning

[bonitobonita]

Ancient Japanese people who made wagin never imagined someone would play Radiohead 2000 years later. Lol. Brilliant

[CalmWreckage]

Listening to this was like seeing a shaft of light through a cracked door. Ships sails full of sky and breath. Union of joy and tears

[simontedder]

Instantly made me depressed. Nailed it!

[snoozieboi]

Lianne de havas has an amazing live version of this. Again very different

[AKAtAGG]

The level of mastery here is insane. Being able to recreate every single element of that song in this way is just incredible. i am very late to seeing this and now i have? I am in awe. incredible doesn't even do it justice.

[JordanSullivanadventures]

This is the kind of art is the meaning of life.

[flynnfriend]

This is a daring and accomplished approach to a complicated yet strangely lovely song. The musicians here should be immensely proud of themselves for this performance.

[andygolding]

Exquisite and so moving. A perfect interpretation of one of the most beautiful songs.
My daughter and I refer to 15 Step, Weird Fishes and Reckoner as Radiohead’s Holy Trinity - we hope you will cover them all one day.

[PabloEdvardo]

Was not expecting them to do the intense breakdown part at the end.

[meteoricxx]

That has to be one of the most beautiful covers of any song ever made. The arrangement was superb, the playing phenomenal. I realised I was holding my breath at one point! Just gorgeous. Thank you.

[OleksiiTheAngry]

For decades, Radiohead's been the source of unconditional beauty, love and purity for millions of us mortals

[ibrahimozturk]

I am dissolving in an ocean of emotions, even though I started to listen with prejudice.

[shOnLemOn]

Gracias, muchísimas gracias, y paz para todos.

[shitsheep]

Perfectly translated the buildup and letdown of this song, which is what makes it so effective and painterly.Props !

[justinavasquez]

Wow I never realized how much the song can sound like rain, which is perfect for what it's about.

[mattmorris]

Not understanding the mechanics of the instruments makes this even more enjoyable. Thank you.