Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips is extremely fond of Miley Cyrus. The two got together to record a couple Beatles songs for the Flaming Lips’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band tribute album, titled With a Little Help from My Fwends, out October 28. Let’s not forget Moby, though. Because Moby’s in there with Miley and the Flaming Lips on “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” Miley stars as this tribute album’s girl with kaleidoscope eyes. Fwends‘ roll call also includes a My Morning Jacket/J Mascis combo. Then there’s Tegan and Sara, Foxygen, Phantogram, Tool’s Maynard Keenan, and Ben Goldwasser from MGMT making appearances as well. The Flaming Lips and friends take these Beatles songs for a psycho ride full of twists and sonic foraging. All proceeds from the album go to the Bella Foundation, which assists low-income pet owners in Oklahoma City. Wayne Coyne spoke from his car. He was driving around Oklahoma City.
How did you decide Sgt. Pepper’s was the album to do?
Last New Year’s Eve, the Flaming Lips played two nights. On the second night, we did a John Lennon/Beatles set. “Lucy in the Sky” stood out and stuck with us. When we were able to get this day in the studio with Miley Cyrus, we did four or five things with her. One of them was “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” Miley is fucking cool and crazy…
