music influence explorer
Music discovery · Influence explorer

Artists like Jonny Greenwood — and the music that made them

Alternative Rock/Film Composer · 1991–present
Radiohead's sonic architect crafting haunting orchestral rock landscapes
Jonny Greenwood is the lead guitarist and multi-instrumentalist for Radiohead, whose innovative use of electronics, unconventional guitar techniques, and orchestral arrangements helped redefine alternative rock from the 1990s onward. Beyond Radiohead, he's become one of cinema's most celebrated composers, creating haunting scores for films like 'There Will Be Blood' and 'Phantom Thread' that blend classical orchestration with his signature experimental edge.
Essential tracks
Paranoid Android
How to Disappear Completely
Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
Did you know
He's a classically trained viola player who studied music at Oxford Brookes University
His iconic guitar sound on 'Creep' was created by intentionally trying to ruin the song because he hated it
He composed his first film score for 'There Will Be Blood' using a 60-piece orchestra despite having no formal film scoring training
“Orchestral arrangements meet radiohead's electronic experimentalism in cinematic soundscapes.”
2
generations
of influence
If you like Jonny Greenwood, try these
Mica Levi
Creates unsettling film scores that blend orchestral writing with electronic textures.
2010s · Film Composer
Ben Frost
Combines acoustic instruments with harsh electronics to create intense atmospheric pieces.
2000s · Experimental Electronic
Max Richter
Merges classical composition with modern production techniques for emotionally powerful results.
2000s · Neo-Classical
Clint Mansell
Crafts film scores that balance orchestral grandeur with experimental electronic elements.
1990s · Film Composer
Tim Hecker
Creates dense, layered compositions that blur the line between ambient and noise.
2000s · Ambient Electronic
Ólafur Arnalds
Combines string arrangements with electronic processing for cinematic, emotional impact.
2000s · Neo-Classical
But where did the sound actually come from?
Influence tree
Trace Jonny Greenwood's roots back through history
Every sound has a source. Click any node to hear the connection.
Jonny Greenwood
1991–present
Krzysztof Penderecki
1960–2020
cited
Olivier Messiaen
1930–1992
cited
György Ligeti
1950–2006
cited
Maurice Ravel
1890–1937
sonic
Béla Bartók
1905–1945
cited
Charles Ives
1890–1954
sonic
Igor Stravinsky
1905–1971
movement
Claude Debussy
1885–1918
sonic
↑ Click any influence node to see the connection and where to start listening.
What makes the sound
Sonic elements
Ondes Martenot and orchestral arrangements
Dissonant string writing and microtonal techniques
Found sound sampling and tape manipulation
Guitar feedback and prepared instruments
Start with these tracks
There Will Be Blood (Original Soundtrack)
Phantom Thread (Original Soundtrack)
The Master (Original Soundtrack)
Radiohead - Kid A
About this page

Music like Jonny Greenwood — Jonny Greenwood is the lead guitarist and multi-instrumentalist for Radiohead, whose innovative use of electronics, unconventional guitar techniques, and orchestral arrangements helped redefine alternative rock from the 1990s onward. Beyond Radiohead, he's become one of cinema's most celebrated composers, creating haunting scores for films like 'There Will Be Blood' and 'Phantom Thread' that blend classical orchestration with his signature experimental edge.

Artists like Jonny Greenwood today include Mica Levi, Ben Frost, Max Richter, Clint Mansell.