Pixies guitarist Joey Santiago joins Paul Cashmere of Noise11.com for an in-depth conversation ahead of the band’s 2025 Australian Tour, reflecting on the group’s early days in Boston, the enduring chemistry with Black Francis, and how the Pixies’ sound continues to evolve four decades on.
In this exclusive interview, Joey recalls the thriving Boston club scene that gave rise to the Pixies and many other influential bands of the 1980s. He shares how the band’s grassroots beginnings shaped their identity, performing 25-minute sets in small venues before finding international success. Santiago discusses the creative partnership with Black Francis that has lasted more than 40 years and how their shared instinct keeps the Pixies’ sound authentic and unpredictable.
Known for his instantly recognisable guitar tone, Joey reveals the inspirations behind his unique playing style, citing George Harrison and Jimi Hendrix among his earliest influences. He explains how avoiding imitation helped him carve out his own sonic space and how his later work in film and television soundtracks taught him to be less precious and more instinctive when creating music.
Joey also touches on the diversity of the Pixies’ catalogue — from the raw grit of Surfer Rosa to the more polished Beneath The Eyrie — and the band’s philosophy of letting each album find its own voice. He talks about keeping classics like Where Is My Mind? true to their original form for fans and the importance of sequencing albums to be heard in full, the way they were intended.
Looking ahead, Joey confirms the Pixies are already “chipping away” at new music, hinting at another record on the horizon, and shares his excitement about returning to Australia for their upcoming tour.
https://www.livenation.com.au/pixies-tickets-adp11148
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