Julian Casablancas and Karen O talk aliens, Radiohead and Lou Reed

Julian Casablancas and Karen O recently interviewed one another in a surreal encounter on New York's Lower East Side.

In Time Out New York the pair, who both release albums this month, hold forth on a variety of topics, including Radiohead.

Karen O explains: "Thom Yorke is very special. He fucks me up with his vocals, for one. I don’t think it’s just because I’m a singer, because I write music, too, but I tend to gravitate toward the voice more than anything else in music. And Thom Yorke’s got a whopper of one."

Other discussion points include why Julian Casablancas used to check into hotel rooms under the name 'Johnny Castle' (Patrick Swayze's character from Dirty Dancing), meeting Lou Reed, how it's 'hard as shit to write lyrics'. the impact 9/11 had on New York and how Casablancas and the Voidz would watch Bronx gang documentary '80 Blocks from Tiffany's' on mute when they were recording their new album Tyranny.

Intriguing Karen O also revealed that she has discussed with Josh Homme about why sometimes singers don't necessarily connect with one another. "It’s like when two magnets that are positively charged [repel each other]. Only in my thirties have I made a concerted effort to connect with other frontpeople, and it’s awesome, because I relate! I kind of wish I would’ve done that when I was younger and more insecure."

Both Karen O's Crush Songs and Julian Casablancas Tyranny albums are out now on Cult Records.

Karen O's confirmed London dates are below. Tickets are on sale now. For tickets and more information, visit here. 

Sat October 04 2014 - LONDON Bush Hall
Sun October 05 2014 - LONDON Bush Hall