"We're not spokespeople, we're musicians"

In this quote, Ed O'Brien, an artist and member of the band Radiohead, is stressing the function of artists in society. He is specifying that their primary purpose is not to be spokespeople or agents for any specific cause or message. Instead, their main focus and talent lies in creating music and revealing themselves through their art. O'Brien is highlighting the value of staying real to one's craft and not getting captured up in the pressure to use their platform for anything besides making music. This quote functions as a pointer that artists are artists first and foremost, and their music should promote itself.