One of the most influential musicians of the 1990s has made a surprising plea to his devoted fans: please stop having sex to his music.
The Unwanted Romantic Soundtrack
Geoff Barrow, the 53-year-old Portishead musician and producer, has expressed his utter disgust at the thought of people using his band's atmospheric tracks as background music for intimacy. In a revealing interview with The Guardian, Barrow didn't mince words about how he feels when fans share their romantic experiences with Portishead's music.
"I've had people actually say, 'My daughter over there was made to your music,' and I'm like, 'F*** off,'" Barrow confessed. "I can't think of anything worse to make love to."
Misinterpreting the Moody Masterpiece
The Bristol-born band emerged from the city's electronic scene in the mid-90s with their groundbreaking debut album Dummy, which remains celebrated as a landmark recording. Despite often being categorised as trip-hop, Portishead consistently resisted being confined to any single genre.
Barrow expressed frustration that listeners often focus only on the surface-level mood of the music without engaging with its deeper meaning. "They're only listening to Beth [Gibbons]'s voice, not what she's saying, which makes a huge difference," he explained.
The musician also revealed his particular irritation with one common description of their sound. "The worst thing that anyone can say about my music is that it's chilled! That makes me throw up."
Portishead's Current Chapter
While Portishead never officially disbanded, the trio - comprising Barrow, vocalist Beth Gibbons, and guitarist Adrian Utley - have pursued separate musical paths in recent years. Gibbons recently released a solo album that attracted Mercury Prize attention, echoing the critical success of Portishead's debut, while Barrow has moved into film composing.
When questioned about the possibility of a Portishead reunion for new music, Barrow offered a definitive rejection. He explained that his creative focus has shifted to cinematic work, noting that he has "so much to learn" in that field.
Despite ruling out new studio recordings, Barrow emphasised that Portishead have never actually split up. The group have occasionally reunited for special performances, including benefit concerts for Ukraine and a recording of Roads for Brian Eno's Together for Palestine event.
The band's enduring influence continues to resonate, even if their creator would prefer listeners find different contexts for enjoying their moody, atmospheric sound than the bedroom.
