Tape Notes

In this episode, John catches up with Orlando Higginbottom, better known as Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs or T.E.E.D, to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced the album ?When The Lights Go?. Digging into the record almost 10 years in the making, Orlando talks us through his process of sorting through the piles of musical material he has created over the last decade, and how he developed each idea into a cohesive album. As well as sharing production tips on vocal layering and utilising field recordings (notably coyote barks), Orlando reflects on his musical upbringing, discussing how the somewhat unattainable standards in classical music have impacted his work as an electronic producer. Listen to find out why you should commit sounds when they are 75% right, how lyrics can be such a different commitment to a song, and why Orlando tried to create a U2 album without ever hearing U2.    Tracks discussed: Crosswalk, The Sleeper, Thugs LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES   linktr.ee/tapenotes  Listen to ?When The Lights Go? here. Nice Age Music Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective GEAR MENTIONS Soundtoys Microshift TAL-U-NO-LX Synth Arturia Farfisa Plugin ToneBoosters Reelbus XFER OTT (Free) Celemony Melodyne Korg Minilogue Korg PolySix Plugin Boss Delay Pedal Shure SM7B Warm Audio Microphones Sequential OB-6 Sequential Prophet 8 Yamaha CP-80 Fairlight CMI Buchla Synth Fender Rhodes Spitfire Audio Labs Strings OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes Patreon: Tape Notes Patreon To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to SoundBetter for supporting this episode of Tape Notes. SoundBetter is the world's leading music production talent marketplace, giving you access to the best mixing & mastering engineers, singers, songwriters, producers, and studio musicians in the industry. You can work with Billie Eilish's drummer, U2's mix engineer, or hire the topliners that wrote on the latest BTS record, these pros are keen to work with Indy artists. Head to SoundBetter.com to find out more. In this episode, John ventures over to Hackney to catch up with Tom Odell and producer Laurie Blundell about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ?Best Day Of My Life?. As well as studio stories about the relationship between the voice and piano and the mindset needed when separating them, the duo share their thoughts on keeping the soul within songs, and the importance of musical authenticity in today?s world. Listen to find out which DJing plugin became integral to their process, how Rick Rubin pretty much co-produced the album with inspirational quotes, and why a kick drum became the cause of the pair?s biggest fall out. Tracks discussed: Best Day Of My Life, Just Another Thing We Don?t Talk About, Flying :)) LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES   linktr.ee/tapenotes  Listen to ?Best Day of My Life? here. UROK, mtheory Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective GEAR MENTIONS Soundtoys Little Alterboy Soundtoys Crystallizer Soundtoys Effect Rack Serato Sampler Antares Autotune Valhalla Vintage Verb Sony C800 Tube-Tech CL 1B Compressor Neve Preamp 1073 Coles 4038 Microphones How To Do Nothing - Jenny Odell UAD Pultec Passive EQ Steinway Pianos OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer Matt Purbrick - Production Assistant Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to SoundBetter for supporting this episode of Tape Notes. SoundBetter is the world's leading music production talent marketplace, giving you access to the best mixing & mastering engineers, singers, songwriters, producers, and studio musicians in the industry. You can work with Billie Eilish's drummer, U2's mix engineer, or hire the topliners that wrote on the latest BTS record, these pros are keen to work with Indy artists. Head to SoundBetter.com to find out more. In this special live episode, John heads to Mother Advertising to chat with returning guest SG Lewis about how he wrote, recorded, and produced his new album ?AudioLust & HigherLove?.   Starting writing after taking ten days off music making and getting bored, Sam reflects on the times spent with his collaborators in the studio and on exotic retreats, sharing the sparks of songwriting inspiration that came from their stories and lives. In this all-round production masterclass, we?re treated to a deep dive into Sam?s process of updating sounds and processing techniques from past eras for a modern audience, as well as mixing tips including the best ways to make a kick and bass punch over iPhone speakers. Listen to find out why the phonetics of lyrics are so important, how to create a convincing fake vocoder, and what some of the most effective ways are to gain confidence as a singer when you?re not a singer.   Tracks discussed: Lifetime, Call On Me, Something About Your Love   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES   linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ?AudioLust & HigherLove? here. Jasmine Records, PMR, Universal   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   GEAR MENTIONS Decimort Bit Crusher GEM Dopamine Plugin Native Instruments Transient Designer Native Instruments Komplete Oek Sound Soothe Oliver Loops Serato Sampler Sonnox Oxford Inflator Soundtoys Little Alterboy UAD API 20500 Compressor UAD Tape Emulation Waves CLA Guitar Plugin Waves H Delay Waves Doubler Waves API 2500 Compressor Valhalla Reverbs Xfer OTT Compressor Korg MS20 LinnDrum Oberheim OB6 Roland Juno Roland TR-909 Drum Machine Sequential Prophet 5 ZenDelay Pedal U87 Microphone Logic Logic ES1 Splice   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear   HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes   To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer Matt Purbrick - Production Assistant Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant George Durston - Production Assistant Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to SoundBetter for supporting this episode of Tape Notes. SoundBetter is the world's leading music production talent-marketplace, giving you access to the best mixing & mastering engineers, singers, songwriters, producers and studio musicians in the industry. You can work with Billie Eillish's drummer, U2's mix engineer or hire the topliners that wrote on the latest BTS record, these pros are keen to work with Indy artists. Head to SoundBetter.com to find out more. In this episode, John heads to Miloco Studios to catch up with Charlie Puth about how he wrote, recorded and produced the album ?CHARLIE?. Thinking back to the moments that sparked the initial ideas for each of his songs, Charlie talks us through how he translates the almost fully finished versions from his head to the DAW. From using auto-tune to satisfy his perfect pitch, to the simple chorus tricks he uses to help it all punch. As well as looking back to his early days on YouTube and social media, Charlie discusses how the platforms have evolved and their impact on the way he writes, allowing him to include so many people in his music making process.  Listen to find out what Monday would sound like if it was a song, which of his viral sounds was faked, and how to play guitar like you?re a pianist.   Tracks discussed: Light Switch, That?s Hilarious, Loser   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES   linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ?CHARLIE? here. Atlantic Records   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   GEAR MENTIONS Waves NS1 Noise Suppressor iZotope VocalSynth Soundtoys Decapitator U-he Diva Antares Auto-Tune Native Instruments Kontakt Pre-Bass Native Instruments Kontakt Church Organ LFO Tool Valhalla Reverb Oberheim Synth Digital Thomas Penton Sample Pack Oliver Sample Pack Roland D-50 Synth Roland TR-808 Roland Juno 60 Splice Casio Keyboard Rhodes   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer Matt Purbrick - Production Assistant Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John links up with Lizzy McAlpine and producers Philip Etherington and Ehren Ebbage, to talk about how they wrote, recorded, and produced Lizzy?s album ?five seconds flat?.   Looking back at their time writing and recording in a makeshift Airbnb studio, Lizzy, Philip, and Ehren dig into their enormous archive of song versions (including John Mayer versions), talking through their process of chipping away at each track and shaping the sounds to match the core expression.    As well as highlighting exactly why parts of Lizzy?s performance are so key to the foundation of each song, we?re treated to backing vocal masterclasses, stories of secret weapon synths, and beats tied together with Philip?s mouldy can of nuts.    Listen to find out how to create sounds that are quietly big and impactful, why all U47s are not created equally, and why as a producer you first have to be an audience member.   Tracks discussed: an ego thing, ceilings, reckless driver LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES   linktr.ee/tapenotes  Listen to ?Five Seconds Flat? here. Harbour Artists and Music, AWAL   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   GEAR MENTIONS Philip?s Can of Mixed Nuts Casio SK1 Korg CR4 Audio Technica Boundary Mics AKG C414 U47 Microphone Martin 00-17 Guitar Martin Guitars Nord Keyboard Rubber Bridge Guitar SSL Compressor Tree Audio Branch II   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer Matt Purbrick - Production Assistant Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to SoundBetter for supporting this episode of Tape Notes. SoundBetter is the world's leading music production talent marketplace, giving you access to the best mixing & mastering engineers, singers, songwriters, producers, and studio musicians in the industry. You can work with Billie Eilish's drummer, U2's mix engineer, or hire the topliners that wrote on the latest BTS record, these pros are keen to work with Indy artists. Head to SoundBetter.com to find out more. In this episode, John reunites with Alex Crossan, a.k.a. Mura Masa, to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced his latest album ?Demon Time?.   Reflecting on the process of working out what a lockdown album would sound like and making the complete opposite of that, Alex shares his thoughts on controlling the vibe of a record while still managing to explore every random studio idea with each of his collaborators.   As well as giving us a tour of some of the weirdest sounds in his sample folder, Alex treats us to production gold, demonstrating some of the simplest yet most effective Garage tricks, and the ways in which he created the impression of fake DJ across the album.   Listen to find out how a citrus salad led to a revelation about frequencies, why if an idea?s making you laugh then that?s the right one to follow, and how to sneakily get people to write for your album in their own writing session.    Tracks discussed: demon time, hollaback bitch, e-motions LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES   linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ?Demon Time? here. Anchor Point Records, Polydor, Universal Music   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective GEAR MENTIONS Soundiron Elysium Harp Arturia Analog Lab Moog DFAM Soyuz Microphones Hoover Synth Sound Ableton Operator Synth   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk   HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer Matt Purbrick - Production Assistant Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John reunites with Fred Gibson, a.k.a. Fred Again.., at his house, to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced the album ?Actual Life 3 (January 1 - September 9 2022)?.   Reflecting on what?s been a very busy 18 months, Fred discusses how the success of the Actual Life series has had an impact on how and why he writes music. From the tricks he uses to keep his writing process fast and fun, to the moments his creativity was lost and the advice that came from Brian Eno to focus it.   As well as sharing demos written with The 1975 and sampling songs by his brother, Fred gets hands on with his explanations of the plugins and process he uses, treating us to live beat builds, piano demonstrations and examples of compression demonstrated through table drumming.   Listen to find out what Fred?s reaction to switching DAWs was, why you should put off any technical aspects of a track until the end, and why some people may call the harmonic modulations in his music ?the work of the devil?.    Tracks discussed: Delilah (pull me out of this), Berwyn (all that I got is you), Kelly (end of a nightmare) LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ?Actual Life 3 (January 1 - September 9 2022)?. Atlantic Records, Warner Music   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   GEAR MENTIONS Expert Sleepers Spectral Conquest Samplr App  Pioneer Mixer and CDJs Logic Pro X Ableton Apple Wired Headphones   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk   HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer George Durston - Production Assistant Matt Purbrick - Production Assistant Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode John is joined by Vincent Fenton better known as FKJ (French Kiwi Juice) to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced three tracks across his releases - ?Time For A Change?, ?Ylang Ylang? and ?Vincent?.   Giving us a glimpse at his musical journey through the years, Vincent reflects on each of the decisive elements that help characterise his signature sound, from location and significant life events, to his early homemade synth presets and sample libraries.    Alongside his tricks on how to bring electronic drums to life, and the different headspaces that help focus his music making, we hear thoughts on why limitations can be so exciting and how so often ?bad? pieces of gear create something that ?amazing? gear simply can?t.   Listen to find out how miniscule chord changes can drastically alter the emotion of a vocal line, what challenges come with moving your entire studio to the middle of the jungle in the Philippines, and why combining your adult and child minds can be the key to creativity.   Tracks discussed: So Much To Me, Ylang Ylang, Different Masks For Different Days LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ?V I N C E N T? here AWAL Recordings   Listen to ?Ylang Ylang? here AWAL Recordings   Listen to ?Time For A Change? here Roche Musique   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   GEAR MENTIONS Native Instruments - The Gentleman Native Instruments Kontakt Soundtoys Radiator Soundtoys Little Plate Soundtoys Echoboy Soundtoys Filter Freak Soundtoys Bundle Antares Choir Schoeps MK41  Schoeps CMC6  Neumann TLM 102 WMD Chimera Percussion Module  Ableton   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk   HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer Andy Tindall - Videographer George Durston - Production Assistant Matt Purbrick - Production Assistant Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John is joined by Jamie T and producer Hugo White at Miloco?s The Yard Studio, to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ?The Theory of Whatever?.   Alongside all the difficult musical decisions they made to keep the character of each song, we hear tales from the studio of sneakily replacing guitar parts and the challenges that come when there are a lot of big egos floating around.   Listen to find out why the album was almost named after Matt Maltese, why throwing your hat on the floor is sometimes the best way to get your point across, and to hear proof that Jamie actually does work pretty hard.   Tracks discussed: The Old Style Raiders, Between The Rocks, Thank You   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ?The Theory of Whatever? here. Polydor Records, Universal Music   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective     GEAR MENTIONS Vinyl Plugin Shure SM57 Neumann Mics Apple Tower Logic Pro X - Ultrabeat Logic   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk   HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer George Durston - Production Assistant Matt Purbrick - Production Assistant Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John is back at Spitfire Audio to catch up with Ben Coyle-Larner, better known as Loyle Carner, along with producers Kwes and Nick Mills, about how they wrote, recorded and produced Loyle?s new album ?Hugo?.   Reflecting back on their time writing over lockdown, Ben, Kwes and Nick talk us through their extensive process of whittling each track down to the finished article, from the early jam sessions and demos they fell in love with, right through the numerous directions they took each beat.   Along with sharing some of the best examples of collaboration and what it can bring, we?re treated to detailed track breakdowns and thoughts on the most effective approaches to take when balancing the emotions of a beat to the emotions within lyrics.   Listen to find out what dangers come with making things too musical, how AI came to the rescue multiple times, and what the ultimate studio snack is.   Tracks discussed: Hate, Nobody Knows, Plastic   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES   linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ?Hugo? here. EMI, Universal Music Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   GEAR MENTIONS D16 Decimort Plugin Oxford Inflator Plugin Kazrog True Iron Plugin Plugin Alliance Black Box Serato Sample Plugin Soundtoys Decapitator Soundtoys Tremolator Soundtoys Echoboy Soundtoys Little AlterBoy Valhalla Vintage Verb Mellotron Fabfilter Plugins  Goodhertz Lossy Plugin XLN Audio RC 20 Moises AI App Shure SM57 DBX 118 Expander Lewitt 640 Mics Teenage Engineering OP1 Logic Stock Pedals FL Studio   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk   HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer Matt Purbrick - Production Assistant Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to SoundBetter for supporting this episode of Tape Notes. SoundBetter is the world's leading music production talent marketplace, giving you access to the best mixing & mastering engineers, singers, songwriters, producers, and studio musicians in the industry. You can work with Billie Eilish's drummer, U2's mix engineer, or hire the topliners that wrote on the latest BTS record, these pros are keen to work with Indy artists. Head to SoundBetter.com to find out more. In this episode, John is back at Spitfire Audio to reunite with Matty and George of The 1975, to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ?Being Funny in a Foreign Language?.   Digging into stems, demos and the musical moments that inspired their writing, Matty and George give us a full behind-the-scenes tour of their creative process, sharing stories of very last-minute album additions and the unreleased songs that might one day be on a 1975 record.   As well as tales from the studio working with producer Jack Antonoff, the pair reveal the tricks they used to create and record some of the most unique sounds and performances on the album, from constructing vast textures of only organic keyboard sounds to Googling the gear and instruments other people use.   Listen to find out how simply soloing individual parts can lead to breakthrough moments when writing, the one scale you need to learn to play any 1975 song, and why Matty has now fully embraced his northern accent when singing.   Tracks discussed: Part of the Band, The 1975, Happiness, When We Are Together LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES   linktr.ee/tapenotes  Listen to ?Being Funny in a Foreign Language? here.  Dirty Hit   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective - https://songwhip.com/laurelcollective/sunshinebuddy      GEAR MENTIONS Gibson ES-330 Guitar Roland JV-1080 Yamaha CP80  Yamaha CP-70B Plugin Alliance Brainworx Focusrite CS Chandler TG Channel Korg M1 DynaCord Digital Echo Binson Echorec WEM Copicat Tape Echo  Roland RE-201 Space Echo Philips Philicorda Harmonium ProTools  Ableton   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear   HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Patreon: @TapeNotesPodcast Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk   HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this very special live episode in partnership with AIM, MPG and Transgressive, John is joined by Let?s Eat Grandma?s Rosa Walton and producer David Wrench at Signature Brew to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the band?s third album ?Two Ribbons?. Taking us back to the album?s very beginnings, Rosa and David chart each song?s development, from early bedroom demos complete with mumble melodies and simple energy building tricks, to lyrics finished on the day of recording and adding surprising instruments that bring that extra glitter to their music. Discussing the way in which the band?s creative process has changed in parallel with their different life experiences, the pair share their thoughts on wanting to take on separate subjects and their methods of unifying them into a singular sonic world. Listen to find out how to approach a breakup song before you?ve broken up, why sometimes you don?t need to worry about microphones and how many chillies were unknowingly consumed in the making of this album. Unfortunately, we had a few technical difficulties with the recording and so the sound quality isn?t up to our usual standard, but we hope you enjoy this deep dive into the album nonetheless.   Tracks discussed: Levitation, Sunday, Hall of Mirrors   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ?Two Ribbons? here. ?Two Ribbons? - Transgressive   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   GEAR MENTIONS   Arturia ARP 2600 V  Arturia Plugins Moog One Elka Synthex BOSS DR-100 ?Dr. Rhythm? Analog Drum Machine Roland TR-808 Sequential Prophet  Neumann TLM 47  Fender Stratocaster  Gibson Guitars Mellotron Bell Tree Ableton - Granulator Plugin Logic Pro X     OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear  HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk   TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer Andrew Tindall (Roam Film) - Videographer Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to SoundBetter for supporting this episode of Tape Notes. SoundBetter is the world's leading music production talent marketplace, giving you access to the best mixing & mastering engineers, singers, songwriters, producers, and studio musicians in the industry. You can work with Billie Eilish's drummer, U2's mix engineer, or hire the topliners that wrote on the latest BTS record, these pros are keen to work with Indy artists. Head to SoundBetter.com to find out more. In this milestone 100th episode of Tape Notes, John is joined by the Finneas at Lightship95 Studio, to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced his album ?Optimist? and his new single ?Mona Lisa Mona Lisa?. Reflecting on the fluidity of his writing process, Finneas talks us through the varied methods and circumstances in which his tracks took shape, from the very first synth sounds that kick-started ideas, to the detailed sonic decisions that helped each element work towards a cohesive goal. Alongside the production masterclass, Finneas looks back on his career so far, discussing his family?s involvement with his music and the impact they?ve had on his creativity. We hear stories from the early days of making music videos with his mum, vocal mic shootouts with Billie, and the essential advice that he still lives by. Listen to find out why mediocrity isn?t a bad thing, how finishing a song isn?t too dissimilar to finishing a meal, and why the correct way to do something isn?t always the correct way. Tracks discussed: How It Ends, Medieval, Mona Lisa Mona Lisa   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  linktr.ee/tapenotes   Listen to ?Optimist? here. Listen to ?Mona Lisa Mona Lisa? here. OYOY Inc, Interscope Records   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective.   GEAR MENTIONS Arturia Farfisa Output Analogue Strings FabFilter Twin 2 Spectrasonics Trilian Spectrasonics Omnisphere Soundtoys Decapitator Soundtoys Little AlterBoy Soundtoys Tremolator Antares Autotune Native Instruments Bundle Native Instruments Massive Valhalla Room Neumann TLM103 Chandler REDD Telefunken ELA M 251 Audio Technica AT2020 Shure SM7B Shure SM57 M-Audio Venom Sequential Prophet X Novation UltraNova Synth Elektron Synth Fender Acoustasonic Tube-Tech CL1B Compressor Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter Sweetwater Best Seller List Ableton Logic Pro Logic - Compressor Plugin   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer Rob Leedell - Camera Assistant and Photographer George Durston - Production Assistant Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John heads to Fiction Studios to catch up with Jon and Alex of Everything Everything to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ?Raw Data Feel?. Taking us through the very first scraps of ideas, Jon and Alex pull apart the elements within each demo they often endeavour to carry into the final songs, from the qualities found within their raw desk mixes to the hidden melodies that end up pulling a whole track together. Alongside Jon?s tips on writing to suit different people?s vocal ranges and Alex?s deep dive into his modular synth collection, we?re given a glimpse into the influence and use of AI on the album, including a sneak peek at the lyrics generated when a system is fed with text from Beowulf, Tumblr feeds and the LinkedIn T&Cs. Listen to find out how a studio clean out led to a slide guitar feature, why limitation is such a useful tool and what to start cutting out when you?re bored with a track.   Tracks discussed: Jennifer, Leviathan, Software Greatman   Listen to ?Raw Data Feel? here. ?Raw Data Feel? - Infinity Industries LLP, AWAL Recordings Ltd   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    GEAR MENTIONS Linnstrument Roli Seaboard Verbos Sequencer Verbos Electronics Verbos Harmonic Oscillator SOMA Pulsar 23 Cwejman S1 Cwejman MMF 2 Filter Zoom 4040 Pedal Metal Zone Pedals Valhalla Reverbs Neumann U67 Ableton - CV Tools Ableton     OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer George Durston - Production Assistant Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John links up with Lykke Li and producer Bjorn Yttling to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced Lykke?s latest album ?EYEYE?. Digging into the truly multi-dimensional record, Lykke and Bjorn look back on their process of creating the sonic world in which the tracks all live, from finding different angles to songs by playing them on different instruments, to the breakthrough moments in the studio when an idea just unlocks. Alongside sharing thoughts on feeling the beat and what makes a very Swedish sounding riff, the conversation turns to Lykke?s start in music, the star quality she possessed that drew Bjorn to her despite some vocal and songwriting flaws, and the constant resistance she faces as an artist. Listen to why condoms can be helpful tools when micing up, what headphone-phobia does to your recordings, and how to truly tap into the divine within music. Tracks discussed: OVER, CAROUSEL, u&i   Listen to ?EYEYE? here. 'EYEYE' - Play It Again Sam/Crush Music   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    GEAR MENTIONS Soundtoys Microshift Shure SM58 AKG D190e Soma Synths The Pipe Casio 101 Moog Rogue Crumar String Synth Levin Guitars Hagstrom Amps Roland Amp (Battery Operated)   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk    TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer George Durston - Production Assistant Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John is back at Spitfire Audio to catch up with Yannis and Jimmy of Foals, to discuss how they wrote, recorded and produced their new album ?Life Is Yours?. Giving us a fascinating insight into their process and how they adapted it for their current 3 piece line up, the pair look back on how they kept their creativity organic and spontaneous, as well as the impact of each new producer along the way. With writing-room demos and plenty of stories from the studio, we?re given a full rundown of the elements that went into shaping the band?s updated sound, from the list of keywords they wrote before even playing a note through to the almost hour-long jams.  Listen to find out how they sneak discarded ideas back in to the lives show, why it?s so important for the groove of a song to be set before anything else, and what producers often do to keep their production secrets under wraps. Tracks discussed: Wild Green, 2001   Listen to ?Life Is Yours? here ?Life Is Yours?- Warner Music UK Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes     GEAR MENTIONS Electro Harmonix POG Pedal Prometheus DLX Resonant Filter Strymon Pedal Roland Jupiter 4 Korg Minilogue Sequential Mopho Travis Bean Guitars  Gibson Hollowbody Bass Selmer Zodiac Amp Leslie Rotary Speaker Reaper   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk    TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer George Durston - Assistant Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John heads over to Spitfire Audio to chat with Mahalia and producer JD. Reid about how they wrote, recorded and produced the EP ?Letter To Ur Ex?. Looking back on their early writing sessions together, the pair reflect on their very first meeting and the approach they took to get the best out of one another. From scatting line after line over a beat and jamming ideas until something just sticks, to the promise of food as a reward for finishing each section of a song. Alongside sharing their thoughts on blending the worlds of hip-hop and R&B, we?re treated to a production deep dive, looking at the intricate relationships between the parts that make up a beat and the small yet essential ingredients that add so much to each track in such subtle ways. Listen to find out why Mahalia sometimes sings with a man?s voice, what moments just scream out for a Talk Box, and why it?s always important to look at a track as more than just an instrumental and vocal.   Tracks discussed: Letter To Ur N(ex)t, Whatever Simon Says, In The Club   Listen to ?Letter To Ur Ex? here. ?Letter To Ur Ex? - Warner Music UK   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    GEAR MENTIONS Wavesfactory Cassette Tape Saturation Goodhertz Lossy Spectrasonics Omnisphere Arturia CS80 Arturia Mellotron Arturia Juno Chorus  Antares Autotune Keyscape Rhodes UAD Empirical Labs Distressor UAD Empirical Labs Pultec Universal Audio Apollo Twin (JD?s Interface) Native Instruments Rickenbacker Bass Native Instruments Reaktor Native Instruments Kontakt Valhalla Reverbs Valhalla Shimmer Spitfire Strings Spitfire Audio Talk Box MicroKorg Shure SM7B Splice Logic Pro   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Facebook: @tapenotespodcast  Discord: Tape Notes   To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk    TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer George Durston - Assistant Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John links up with Chaz Bear, the mind behind Toro y Moi, to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced the album ?MAHAL?. Digging into jam sessions dating back to 2015 with all of the original recordings to hand, Chaz gives us the lowdown on how his musical ideas formulate, and the simple yet impactful journey they undertake to arrive as fully fleshed out tracks. Reflecting on life as an all-round creative, Chaz looks back on how he got started in music, from the early days using his parent's karaoke machine, to the importance of community and collaboration in today's music world. Listen to find out what in The Godfather had such a huge influence on a song, why it?s so difficult to create completely emotionless performances, and how to fearlessly explore ideas in your music. Tracks discussed: Déjà Vu, Magazine, The Loop   Listen to ?MAHAL? here. ?MAHAL? - Dead Oceans   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    GEAR MENTIONS Shure SM7B Shure SM57 Neumann Mics API Channel Strip Hofner Bass Reason Ableton FL Studio Fostex Multitracker Wurlitzer Piano   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk    TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer George Durston - Assistant Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to SoundBetter for supporting this episode of Tape Notes. SoundBetter is the world's leading music production talent marketplace, giving you access to the best mixing & mastering engineers, singers, songwriters, producers, and studio musicians in the industry. You can work with Billie Eilish's drummer, U2's mix engineer, or hire the topliners that wrote on the latest BTS record, these pros are keen to work with Indy artists. Head to SoundBetter.com to find out more. In this episode, John links up with Harley Streten, better known as Flume, to talk through how he wrote, recorded and produced the four opening tracks from his mixtape and three albums - ?Flume?, ?Skin?, ?Hi This Is Flume? and ?Palaces?. Digging out files from sessions dating back to his early adventures travelling around Europe, Harley gives us a rundown on some of the key parts of his life in music and how his approach to producing has changed over the years. From his early days using cereal box software to his approach to fixing writer?s block and the mental strain of life in music. As well as the long list of failed experiments that never made the final tracks, we?re given a full tour of the painstaking tweaks and subtle changes Harley teases into his work to humanise a production. Listen to find out what question Harley always asks when visiting synth stores, why you shouldn?t be afraid to rip off other people, and what some of the key elements to consider are when navigating success. Tracks discussed: Sintra, Helix, Hi This Is Flume, Highest Building   Listen to ?Palaces? here.  Listen to ?Skin? here. Listen to ?Flume? here. Listen to ?Hi This Is Flume? here. Future Classic, Transgressive Records Ltd   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    GEAR MENTIONS Sonic Charge Synplant Vengeance Vocal Pack Native Instruments Razor Synth Native Instruments Reaktor Elektron Monomachine Reason FL Studio Cubase Ableton   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk    TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer George Durston - Production Assistant Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to SoundBetter for supporting this episode of Tape Notes. SoundBetter is the world's leading music production talent marketplace, giving you access to the best mixing & mastering engineers, singers, songwriters, producers, and studio musicians in the industry. You can work with Billie Eilish's drummer, U2's mix engineer, or hire the topliners that wrote on the latest BTS record, these pros are keen to work with Indy artists. Head to SoundBetter.com to find out more. In this episode, John heads to Miloco?s The Yard Studios to catch up with The Chainsmokers, Alex and Drew, talking through how they wrote, recorded and produced their latest album ?So Far, So Good?. Giving us a glimpse into their Hawaii writing sessions and drunken nights in the studio, the duo share the initial sparks and early ideas (both good and not so good) that developed into the final tracks.  As well as a beat building masterclass, creating drum patterns that no one would ever think up, the pair reflect on removing any pressure from their writing process and the impact it had on their creativity. Listen to find out how to get away with recycling beats from different songs, why sometimes it pays to be the least organised producer in the game, and what the best question to ask yourself is in order to handle almost every situation. Tracks discussed: If You?re Serious, iPad, I Love U   Listen to ?So Far, So Good? here. ?So Far, So Good? - Disruptor Records/Columbia Records   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    GEAR MENTIONS Arturia Analogue Lab Arturia Plugins Antares Auto-Tune  iZotope Trash 2 Output REV Output EXHALE Output SIGNAL Soundtoys AlterBoy U-He Diva Xfer LFO Tool Zynaptiq Pitchmap Native Instrument FM8 Synth Apogee Duet Interface Apogee Symphony Interface Neumann Mics Telefunken Mics Gibson Les Paul Yamaha Baby Grand Piano Mason Hamlin Piano Nord Keyboards Steinway Pianos   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk    TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer Sam Nahirny - Photographer and Camera Assistant George Durston - Production Assistant Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John heads to Bristol to chat with Yard Act?s James, Sam and Ryan along with producer Ali Chant about how their debut album ?The Overload? was written, recorded and produced. Catching up after a big night on the Bristol stop of their tour, the band reflect on their process of bringing the album together, from solitary lockdown demos and recording over WhatsApp videos, to learning how to play the drums and the last minute additions after the tracks had been mastered. Sharing their experience of transforming what started as a side project into a successful band, we hear stories of giving, receiving and dealing with criticism, the prompts that encouraged several turning points in their writing style and the dangers of overthinking when working on individual parts. Listen to find out how to write vocals that are suitable for the neighbours, why it?s important to know the difference between congas and bongos, and what in songwriting is not too dissimilar to drawing a monster. Tracks discussed: The Overload, Land Of The Blind, 100% Endurance   Listen to ?The Overload? here. ?The Overload? - Island Records, Universal Music   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    GEAR MENTIONS KNAS Ekdahl Moisturizer Spring Reverb Roland TR8 Drum Machine Vox Continental Keyboard Whurlitzer Philicorda Organ AMS Reverb Traynor Bass Amp G&L ASAT Guitars Fender Jazzmaster Fender Telecaster   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk    TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John is joined by Dave, Donny and Jung from Gang of Youths to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the band?s new album ?Angel In Realtime?. Taking us on a global tour, the trio guides us through the wealth of sounds, people and places that had such a huge influence on the album, from London street ambience and the goings-on outside their studio window, to Pacific Island chants and the extraordinary samples that opened up a whole new sonic world for them. Alongside a look into their musical melting pot, we hear thoughts on criticism, hate and jealousy within music, as well as their attitudes towards cheesiness and embracing who you are and what you love.  Listen to find out how to make a beat from a box of sultanas, why you sometimes might mistake Dave?s voice for a stoned Michael Buble, and how to create the illusion of something being simple - while still throwing 200 layers of tracks at it.   Tracks discussed: You In Everything, Spirit Boy, Hand of God, Goal of the Century    Listen to ?Angel In Realtime? here. ?Angel In Realtime? - Warner Music UK, Mosy Music LLP   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    GEAR MENTIONS Shure SM7B Shure SM57 Shure SM58 AKG Mics AEA R88 Mic Rode Mic Sony C37 FET 47 Mic Rode Pin Mic Warm Audio Spitfire Audio Plugins Spitfire Audio David Fanshawe Native Instruments Una Corda Native Instruments Kontakt Universal Audio 6176 Universal Audio Plugins Soundtoys Devil-Loc Soundtoys Plugins Izotope Vocal Synth National Reso-Phonic Guitars Splice Logic Pro   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk    TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing  Nathan Hetherington - PR Alex Nixon - Assistant Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John ventures over to Alt-J?s band studio to chat with Joe, Gus and producer Charlie Andrew about how they wrote, recorded and produced their new album ?The Dream?. Unearthing early demos and some very special voice notes, the trio look back on forming the sonic world encapsulated within the record, reflecting on the importance of their individual roles within the writing process along with the fundamental stories behind each track. From serendipitous church bells to missions of sneaking in old album references, we hear about the intricacies of the kit key to the band?s sound, as well as the little details within each track you won't discover on a first listen. Listen to find out why Mexican Coke tastes better than American Coke, what a sausage bassoon is, and how to get the best results when recording next to a dance class and a polling station. Tracks discussed: Bane, The Actor, Get Better   Listen to ?The Dream? here. ?The Dream? - Infectious Music, BMG   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    GEAR MENTIONS Vox AC30 Electro Harmonix POG Pedal Casio Casiotone Larrivee PO-5 Roland RE-20 Space Echo Neumann U87 Neumann TLM 103   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk    TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing  Nathan Hetherington - PR Alex Nixon - Assistant Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John heads over to Bastille?s West London HQ to catch up with Dan Smith and producer Mark Crew about how the band wrote, recorded and produced their latest album ?Give Me The Future?. Having written most of the tracks in remote lockdown sessions, Dan takes us all the way back through his initial ideas and the random voice notes of inspiration that came to him at the most unexpected times. As well as sharing their thoughts on the challenges that come with writing a sci-fi concept album and blending them with the usual Bastille ?bread and butter?, the pair pull apart the intricate production techniques they used in an attempt to recreate the musical characteristics of the 80s. Listen to find out how the band?s touring crew ended up recording BVs, what is and isn?t considered tasteful when mixing in Dolby Atmos, and what genres are generally pretty dangerous to let a bassist loose on.   Tracks discussed: Thelma + Louise, Back To The Future, Future Holds   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ?Give Me The Future? here. ?Give Me The Future? - EMI/Virgin Records   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   GEAR MENTIONS Teenage Engineering OP1 LinnDrum Roland Juno  Moog Antares Auto-Tune Antares Harmony Engine Soundtoys Alter Boy Sugar Bytes Effectrix Plugin TAL-Chorus-LX Universal Audio LA-610 Telefunken AK-47 Dolby Atmos Splice Logic Pro   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk    TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing  Nathan Hetherington - PR Alex Nixon - Assistant Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to part two of the Best Of Season 9. We pick up where we left off, looking back and pulling out our selection of highlights and memorable moments from the season.  If you haven?t heard every episode from season 9, this is a good way to introduce yourself to more of the guests we?ve had on and hear some of their top studio tips, unique writing processes, along with the thoughts and philosophies that shape their musical worlds.   You?ll hear highlights from:  CHVRCHES Orla Gartland with Tom Stafford Courtney Barnett & Stella Mozgawa Jon Hopkins Chet Faker Hiatus Kaiyote   Listen to the albums featured this season with the links below. CHVRCHES - ?Screen Violence? Orla Gartland - ?Woman on the Internet? Courtney Barnett - ?Things Take Time, Take Time? Jon Hopkins - ?Music For Psychedelic Therapy? Chet Faker - ?Hotel Surrender? Hiatus Kaiyote - ?Mood Valiant?   INTRO MUSIC Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes  OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk - http://www.tapenotes.co.uk    ?Screen Violence? - EMI, Virgin Records ?Woman on the Internet? - New Friends Music ?Things Take Time, Take Time? - Marathon Artists ?Music For Psychedelic Therapy? - Domino Recordings ?Hotel Surrender? - Detail Records, BMG (Australia) ?Mood Valiant? - Brainfeeder   TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing  Nathan Hetherington - PR Alex Nixon - Assistant Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Season 9 has been so full of amazing albums that we?ve decided to split this Best Of into two parts. Welcome to Part One! In this episode, we look back across the season picking out a selection of highlights from our conversations with the artists and producers we were lucky enough to speak to. If you haven?t heard every episode from the last season, this is a good way to introduce yourself to some of the guests we?ve had on and hear some of their top studio tips, unique writing processes, along with the thoughts and philosophies that shape their musical worlds.   You?ll hear highlights from:  Maisie Peters & Joe Rubel James Vincent McMorrow with Paul Epworth & Lil Silva Imagine Dragons Jungle Mr Jukes & Barney Artist Frank Carter & the Rattlesnakes   Listen to the albums featured this season with the links below. Maisie Peters - ?You Signed Up For This?  James Vincent McMorrow - ?Grapefruit Season?  Imagine Dragons - ?Mercury - Act 1? Jungle - ?Loving In Stereo? Mr Jukes & Barney Artist - ?The Locket?  Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes - ?Sticky?   INTRO MUSIC Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes  OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk - http://www.tapenotes.co.uk    ?You Signed Up For This? - Warner Music, Asylum Records, Gingerbread Man Records  'Grapefruit Season' - Sony Music Entertainment UK ?Mercury - Act One? - Interscope Records, KIDinaKORNER  ?Loving In Stereo? - Caiola Records, AWAL Recordings Ltd ?The Locket? - Locket Records, Virgin Music ?Sticky? - International Death Cult, AWAL Recordings Ltd   TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing  Nathan Hetherington - PR Alex Nixon - Assistant Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John links up with Simon, Perrin and Bender of Hiatus Kaiyote, to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ?Mood Valiant?. Having written the album across the globe, from Rio De Janeiro to Byron Bay, the trio reflect on the development of their writing process, discussing how the effects of taking road-hardened demos to South America pushed their creativity into unfamiliar territory. Unearthing some unheard recordings dating back to the mid-2010s, we are given a rundown of some of the key moments of the band?s career, along with an in-depth look at some of the joys that come with getting things down on wonky quarter-inch tape and rekindling a friendship with an honorary fifth member, the Korg VC-10. Listen to find out how to tackle shin cramps whilst playing a Steinway piano in a session, what happens when you combine delicate Colombian flutes with challenging rhythmic danceable beats, and how much the band enjoys the compression of audio on an Instagram story.   Tracks discussed: Rose Water, All The Words We Don?t Say, Get Sun   Listen to ?Mood Valiant? here. ?Mood Valiant? - Brainfeeder   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    GEAR MENTIONS Korg VC10 Korg Kronos Korg MonoPoly Neve 1073 Channel Strip Roland JX-8P Roland Space Echo 201 Roland Space Echo 301 Roland Space Echo 501 Roland Space Echo 555 Neumann Mics Carvin PA/Mixer   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear   HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk    TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing  Nathan Hetherington - PR Alex Nixon - Assistant Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John links up with Chet Faker aka Nick Murphy, to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced the album ?Hotel Surrender?. Diving into the tracks initially found within one of his numerous demo playlists, Nick looks back on his variety of music making processes, sharing thoughts on slingshotting around different creative mediums and maximising inspiration. From scrapbooking and self-sampling to a great deal of file management, we?re treated to stories of productivity-inducing gear limitations and tricks to get strange harmonic options, all alongside advice on putting music out, taking criticism and simply being the best you can be.   Listen to find out how many cowboy monologues were recorded for the album, why you shouldn?t rollerblade in music videos, and how to appropriately react when you?re given Ableton and not Acid Loop Pro.    Tracks discussed: Oh Me Oh My, Low, Feel Good    Listen to ?Hotel Surrender? here. ?Hotel Surrender? - Detail Records, BMG (Australia)   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes   GEAR MENTIONS Waves Doppler Plugin Soundtoys Little Plate Novation SL Synth Korg Kaoss Pad Roland CR-8000 Elka Synthex Akai MPC Live II Neumann U87 Electret Microphone API Preamp Elektron Analog Heat Bricasti M7 Reverb Fender Telecaster Rhodes Moog Neve Desk Acid Loop Pro Ableton   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk    TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing  Nathan Hetherington - PR Alex Nixon - Assistant Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to SoundBetter for supporting this episode of Tape Notes. SoundBetter is the world's leading music production talent marketplace, giving you access to the best mixing & mastering engineers, singers, songwriters, producers, and studio musicians in the industry. You can work with Billie Eilish's drummer, U2's mix engineer, or hire the topliners that wrote on the latest BTS record, these pros are keen to work with Indy artists. Head to SoundBetter.com to find out more. In this episode, John is joined by Jon Hopkins at Iguana Studios to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced his latest album ?Music For Psychedelic Therapy?. Engaging us in the album?s immersive journey, Jon talks us through the spaces and natural processing that shaped the sound of the record, from the depths of an Ecuadorian Cave to the vintage synths recorded in the woods. Unearthing the individual parts and gradual sonic changes, we hear Jon's outlook on following intuition, responding to ?bolt of lightning? ideas and insane bursts of creativity, all tied together with thoughts on consciousness and the links between sound and mind. Listen to find out how a cheap plugin fault ended up creating the perfect sound, why it is so important to create interest in different frequency groups, and what moment was inspired by a scene from Crocodile Dundee Two. Tracks discussed: Welcome, Love Flows Over Us In Prismatic Waves, Deep In the Glowing Heart   Listen to ?Music For Psychedelic Therapy? here. ?Music For Psychedelic Therapy? - Domino Recordings   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    GEAR MENTIONS Michael Pollan - This Is Your Mind On Plants Bose Soundlink JBL Speakers Moog One Korg Trinity  Ensoniq Fizmo  Oktava Microphones API Preamp Soundtoys Echoboy Audio Ease Altiverb Waves Renaissance Reverb Plugin Waves PuigTec EQ Yamaha Upright Piano Ableton Ableton Vocoder   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk    TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing  Nathan Hetherington - PR Alex Nixon - Assistant Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John links up with Courtney Barnett and producer Stella Mozgawa to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced Courtney?s album ?Things Take Time, Take Time?. Ready with the keys to Courtney?s archive of sofa voice notes and Garageband demos, the pair talk us through the entire album process, from their most valuable moments within pre-production, to the hours in the studio where they had to check if they were losing their minds. Sharing the secrets of the sonics, we hear stories of creating cavernous brass sounds using only a guitar and making fake shakers out of drums, all of which are set alongside the eternal loops sourced from the depths of Stella?s drum machine collection. Listen to find out how to trick yourself into doing the perfect vocal take, what the best state of mind is to help get ideas flowing, and why producing is far from being a dark art.   Tracks discussed: Turning Green, Here?s The Thing, Oh The Night Listen to ?Things Take Time, Take Time? here. ?Things Take Time, Take Time? - Marathon Artists   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes   GEAR MENTIONS Roland TR-606 Roland TR-707 Elektron Analog Rhythm MXR Drum Computer Roland TR-8S Roland CR-8000 Ace Tone Drum Machine FunkBox Drum Machine MPC Sampler Eventide H3000 Eventide H910 Soundtoys Alter Boy Shure SM7B Shure SM57 Korg Minilogue Maton Acoustic Guitar Omnichord Nylon String Guitar (From Mannys Music) KRK Studio Monitors Leslie Speaker Studer 24-inch Tape Machine Garageband ProTools Ableton   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk    TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing  Nathan Hetherington - PR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John joins Orla Gartland and producer Tom Stafford to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced Orla?s debut album ?Woman on the Internet?. From the early stages of throwing musical ideas at the wall to the almost infinite list of recording secrets picked up from their time at Middle Farm Studios, Orla and Tom look back on trying to capture and emulate the original magic from their early sessions, along with bringing light and shade to the record as a whole. Unearthing old voice memos and opening up the original sessions, we hear stories of blind microphone testing, trying and failing to recreate cheap sounds with ?posh? synths, and introducing some of Tom?s modular madness to Orla?s folk-pop sound. Listen to find out how to get good results when recording with a kids karaoke machine, what making things sound orange and sparkly means, and how gigs at a cereal cafe may have been the start of numerous musical careers. Tracks discussed: You?re Not Special Babe, Over Your Head, More Like Your Listen to ?Woman on the Internet? here. ?Woman on the Internet? - New Friends Music   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    GEAR MENTIONS A100 Analogue Modular System Korg Stage Echo Moog One MicroKorg Nord Keyboards Organelle Synth Fender Telecaster Echoplex Pedal  Warm Audio 47 API Channel Strip Summit TLA 100 Shure 267 Preamp Antares Freakshow Industries Mishby Output Movement Soundtoys Alter Boy Soundtoys Devil-Loc Logic Flex Time   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John links up with Lauren, Iain and Martin of CHVRCHES to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ?Screen Violence?. Largely working remotely from different parts of the world, the trio look back on how they adapted their writing process, discussing how the effects of the pandemic ended up shaping some of the themes and meanings within the album. Sharing some of their day one demos, we hear stories of forming entire songs around single elements, combining and blending vintage gear with modern recording techniques, and using creative production tricks to respond to and reinforce certain lyrics. Listen to find how powerful hidden live drums on an electronic beat can be, why you should always keep your day one demo in a session, and how to react when Robert Smith emails you saying ?what do you want??   Tracks discussed: How Not To Drown, He Said She Said, California Listen to ?Screen Violence? here. ?Screen Violence? - EMI, Virgin Records   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    GEAR MENTIONS Auto-Tune Melodyne Soundtoys Alter Boy Soundtoys Microshift Soundtoys Decapitator Valhalla Delay Universal Audio OX Amp Arcade Roland D50 Roland Juno 106 Siel Orchestra Synthesizer Fender 6 Bass  AMS Reverb Space Echo Tube-Tech CL 1B Compressor Pultec 1176 Compressor LA-2A Leveling Amp   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!  Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John ventures over to Baltic Studios to catch up with Frank and Dean of Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes about how they wrote, recorded and produced their latest album ?Sticky?. Unearthing demos and recordings from their time in a Norfolk holiday cabin, the pair look back on how their process has changed over the years, sharing thoughts on broadening their horizons and blurring the lines of writing and recording. As well as personal stories of self-sabotage, imposter syndrome and competition within music, the pair single out the ingredients that form their chaotic cacophony of sound, from homemade microphones and recycling unused material, to tuning gunshots from Call of Duty. Listen to find out why you should collaborate with people that make you feel lazy, how to react when Dave Grohl brings you a tray of shots mid set, and why Frank may soon be performing Moonlight Sonata.   Tracks discussed: Rat Race, Go Get A Tattoo, Take It To The Brink   Listen to ?Sticky? here. ?Sticky? - International Death Cult, AWAL Recordings Ltd   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    GEAR MENTIONS Arturia  Waves MondoMod Valhalla Room Soundtoys Decapitator  Soundtoys EchoBoy Soundtoys Alter Boy Splice Telephone Mic Conversion Shure SM7B Universal Audio 1176 Compressor Thermionic Culture Vulture Fender Mustang Bass Fender Amps Selmer Amps Roland TR-808 Whurlitzer   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!    Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John catches up with Mr Jukes, aka Jack Steadman, and Barney Artist to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced their joint album ?The Locket?. Breaking the elements down to their very beginnings, Jack talks us through his sampling process, from YouTube crate digging and detailed editing, to processing and pitching individual hits from his vault of free sample packs. As well as sharing their thoughts on privilege and ?making it? in the world of music, the pair reflect on their partnership, as friends and creatives, discussing some of the most fundamental elements that enabled its success. Listen to find out why Barney?s battered Peugeot 307 is on the album cover, why it?s not always best to tell a rapper you?ve been making beats, and how to turn a 70s jazz-fusion track into a football chant. Tracks discussed: Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind), The Locket, Vibrate   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ?The Locket? here. ?The Locket? - Locket Records, Virgin Music Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    GEAR MENTIONS Serato DJ Software MWM Bluetooth Needle   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!    Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John heads over to Jungle?s West London HQ to catch up with Josh Lloyd-Watson about how the band wrote, recorded and produced their latest record ?Loving in Stereo?. Having written a lot of the album in their shed over the last two years, Josh takes us all the way back to the almost 30-minute demos, talking through the process of cherry-picking the best parts and forming the tracks as we know them. As well as sharing his thoughts on originality, natural creative flow and knowing when to stop, we hear stories of building samples, constantly layering vocals, and blending synths, guitars and orchestral elements into a singular unified sound. Listen to find out how to get as close to the cheesy line as possible, what happens when you combine a Ron Burgundy flute solo with Baker Street sax, and how to do a great siren impression.  Tracks discussed: Keep Moving, All of the Time, Bonnie Hill   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ?Loving In Stereo? here. ?Loving In Stereo? - Caiola Records, AWAL Recordings Ltd Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    GEAR MENTIONS MPC Sampler Sequential Prophet 8 Neumann U67 Neumann U87 Moog One  Mellotron Sequential Prophet How Music Works - David Byrne Roland RE-501 - Chorus Echo Soundtoys Decapitator Hammond Organ Kemper Profiler Rack ProTools Logic Pro   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!    Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John links up with Dan and Wayne of Imagine Dragons to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced their latest album 'Mercury - Act 1. Having spent almost three years writing almost 300 demos, Dan and Wayne look back on the process of whittling down the tracklist and forming the album, from capturing their ideas as quickly as possible, through to working with legendary producer Rick Rubin and deconstructing everything to its purest essence. As well as sharing their thoughts on creativity, songwriting and their life experiences in the world of music, the pair speak openly about the inspiration and meaning behind some of their most honest tracks to date, while also demonstrating how they let the subject of each song help define its production. Listen to find out why samples can sometimes work better than a live performance, how raw magic often is captured on a first take, and the wealth of instruments that Dan can create using only his mouth. Tracks discussed: Dull Knives, It?s Ok, Wrecked   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ?Mercury - Act 1? here. ?Mercury - Act One? - Interscope Records, KIDinaKORNER    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    GEAR MENTIONS Analogue Design Black Box Plugin ApTrigga Soundtoys Devil-Loc TrackSpacer Plugin Fab Filter Pro-Q3 Melodyne Antares Auto-Tune Goodhertz Wow Control UAD E SSL Channel Strip Valhalla Reverbs Native Instruments Guitar Rig Native Instruments Drum Lab Native Instruments Rickenbacker Gibson Les Paul Ebow Vox AC30 Marshall ShredMaster Pedal Shure SM57 Royer Microphone Neumann U47 Neumann U67 Neve 1073 Kemper Profiler Rack Fender Telecaster Fender Princeton Amp Roland TR-808 Ableton Tube Amp Ableton Compressor Ableton Cakewalk Logic Pro Cubase   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!    Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back in summer 2020, John headed over to The Church Studios to catch up with James Vincent McMorrow, Paul Epworth and Lil Silva to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced James?s album ?Grapefruit Season?. Taking tracks from Dublin to London to LA and back, James talks us through the myriad of iterations the songs went through, exploring the different writing situations and how all of his collaborators had such varied musical impacts. Paul and TJ lend their producer expertise pulling out individual stems and breaking songs apart, as well as discussing their approaches towards bringing energy to the studio, and sharing thoughts on how production, sounds and songwriting are one and the same.  Listen to find out about the lyric James spent all of his life waiting for, why Paul was such a terrible studio assistant and how a serendipitous ?adapter? hunt led to the trio?s partnership. Tracks discussed: Headlights, Gone, Paradise   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to 'Grapefruit Season' here. 'Grapefruit Season' - Sony Music Entertainment UK Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    GEAR MENTIONS Sequential OB6 Moog One Moog Grandmother Paul's Big Modular Moog Teisco Synth Xfer Serum Synth Roland TR-808 Spectrasonics Omnisphere Universal Audio Apollo Twin Mellotron  iZotope Iris Faith Saturn Guitar LinnDrum ProTools ProTools Air Kill EQ Apple Mac   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!    Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John returns to Pixel studios to chat with Maisie Peters and producer Joe Rubel about how they wrote, recorded and produced Maisie?s debut album ?You Signed Up For This?. Going through their WhatsApp log of voice notes and ideas, Maisie and Joe look back on the chaotic methods of bringing an album together over lockdown, pulling apart how they carefully married Maisie?s original acoustic sound with more produced elements. Alongside the wealth of Joe?s production goodness, Maisie sheds some light on her lyric writing process, from the internal rhyming patterns and carefully considered syllables in her writing, to the subtle nods hidden throughout each track. Listen to find out why Maisie wouldn?t play instruments on her own songs, how to proceed after deciding it?s time to write a banger, and which part of a song you will now have to try and clap along to. Tracks discussed: You Signed Up For This, I?m Trying (Not Friends), Love Him I Don?t   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ?You Signed Up For This? here. ?You Signed Up For This? - Warner Music, Asylum Records, Gingerbread Man Records  Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    GEAR MENTIONS Arturia Prophet V3 Plugin Roland Juno 60  Binson Tape Machine  LinnDrum Sequential Prophet  Splice Spectrasonics Keyscape Shure SM7B Austrian Audio OC818 Chandler Preamp  Tube-Tech CL 1B Compressor Nashville Guitar Tuning Martin Guitars    OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear   HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!    Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we look back over Season 8 picking out a selection of highlights and some of the most memorable moments from the artists and producers we were lucky enough to speak to. If you haven?t heard every episode from the last season, this is a good way to introduce yourself to some of the guests we?ve had on and hear some of their top studio tips, writing processes and all-round philosophies towards creating a record.    You?ll hear highlights from:  Royal Blood Girl In Red and Matias Tellez Rostam Dodie and Joe Rubel Johnny Flynn and Charlie Andrew Fred Again.. Easy Life and Rob Milton   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to the albums featured this season with the links below. Royal Blood - ?Typhoons? Girl In Red and Matias Tellez - ?if i could make it go quiet? Rostam - ?Changephobia? Dodie and Joe Rubel - ?Build a Problem? Johnny Flynn and Charlie Andrew - ?Lost in the Cedar Wood? Fred Again.. - ?Actual Life (April 14th ? December 17th 2020)? Easy Life and Rob Milton - ?Life's A Beach?   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast Discord: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!    Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk  - http://www.tapenotes.co.uk    ?Typhoons? - Warner Records UK, Imperial Galactic Limited, Black Mammoth  ?if i could make it go quiet? - World In Red, AWAL Recordings ?Changephobia? - Matsor Projects ?Build a Problem? - doddleoddle, The Orchard ?Lost in the Cedar Wood? - Transgressive, Johnny Flynn ?Actual Life (April 14th ? December 17th 2020)? - Warner Music UK Limited. An Atlantic Records UK, 2021 Fred Gibson ?Life's A Beach? - Universal Music, Island Records Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John is reunited with Murray Matravers from Easy Life and producer Rob Milton, to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the band?s debut album ?Life?s A Beach'. From recording in and around lockdowns, in basements, bedrooms and studios, Murray and Rob reflect on the writing process, singling out the sounds, ideas and samples that encapsulate the meaning within the songs. As well as thoughts on retaining fun in the music and creating joke ideas, we hear stories of intentionally not wanting things to sound good, along with the not very Easy Life elements that are crucial to an Easy Life track. Listen to find out what to do when you?re stuck in garage MC mode, how many times Rob recorded the word ?Skeletons?, and which synth line made Murray cry (and still does). Tracks discussed: skeletons, ocean view, homesickness   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ?Life?s A Beach? here. ?Life?s A Beach? - Universal Music, Island Records Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    GEAR MENTIONS Shure SM7B Neumann M149 Roland Juno 106 Sequential Prophet Rev2 Sequential Prophet 5 Sequential Prophet 6 Arturia Synth Emulators Waves J37 Tape Plugin   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!    Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John catches up with Fred Gibson, better known as Fred Again.., to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced the album ?Actual Life (April 14 - December 17 2020)?. Having written and produced almost all of the album outside of the studio, Fred talks us through his recording and sampling process, digging into the ways in which each new environment helped shape the individual sound of each track. Fred enlightens us on the best bits about recording on an iPhone and why it?s so key to his writing process. We?re treated to stories of recreating the voice notes compressor in Logic, jamming along with tracks in the club and playback sessions in the pub. Listen to find out how a small change in harmony can completely reframe emotion, why mixing will never solve any song problems, and the best ways to fill time when you're not feeling inspired. Tracks discussed: Sabrina (I Am A Party), Me (Heavy), Angie (I?ve Been Lost)   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ?Actual Life (April 14 - December 17 2020)? here.  ?Actual Life (April 14 - December 17 2020)? - Warner Music UK Limited. An Atlantic Records UK, 2021 Fred Gibson   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    GEAR MENTIONS Samplr Morph Plugin Logic - Silver Compressor Logic - Retro Synth Logic - Step FX Albino Synth Native Instruments Battery Teenage Engineering OP1  Shure SM7B  Roland TR-808  Neumann U47 Yamaha NS10 Zoom iPhone Mic   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!    Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John ventures up to The Old Workshop Studio to catch up with Johnny Flynn and producer Charlie Andrew about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ?Lost in the Cedar Wood?. From the summer walks with co-writer Robert Macfarlane to tracking the bones of the album in a solar-powered woodland cottage, Johnny recalls shaping the world of the record, combining both timeless sonics and the ancient stories that are relatable even today.  Getting into the technical elements, Charlie pulls apart some of the detailed sounds and techniques used to enhance each song's energy. We hear stories of stairwell recording, unpredictable gear and creating rhythmic textures from everything except drums. Listen to find out why impatience in the studio is often a good thing, why Johnny had to make a last-minute Charango order, and the best way to shut your kids up when recording. Tracks discussed: Ferryman, Bonedigger, Ten Degrees of Strange   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ?Lost in the Cedar Wood? here. ?Lost in the Cedar Wood? - Transgressive, Johnny Flynn   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    GEAR MENTIONS National Trojan Resonator Guitar Fender P Bass Space Echo Chorus Echo Tape Delay Vox AC30  Ampeg Roland Juno 60 MicroKorg Rhodes ProTools Logic Pro   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!    Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode John heads over to Pixel Studios to chat with Dodie and producer Joe Rubel about how the album ?Build A Problem? was written, recorded and produced. Unearthing Dodie?s first phone recordings made in her bedroom, the pair dig into the ways in which they preserved and developed her DIY/scrapbook sound in the studio.  As well as lots of sumptuous album easter eggs, Joe indulges us in a multitude of audio tricks. We find out how they managed to flawlessly capture Dodie?s incredibly quiet, intimate vocals, as well as the sounds of windows, Tupperware, screaming and people's thighs. Listen to hear tales of mood-matching songs and lyrics (then the doing the opposite), how Dodie?s Instagram followers influenced a guitar tuning, and the effects of revisiting songs in different head spaces. Tracks discussed: Special Girl, Sorry, Before the Line   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ?Build a Problem? here.  ?Build a Problem? - doddleoddle, The Orchard   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    GEAR MENTIONS Shure SM7B Kemper Amps Thermionic Culture Vulture Tube-Tech CL 1B Compressor Sibelius Any Sponge   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :-)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!    Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John catches up with Rostam to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced his new album ?Changephobia?. Giving us a full tour, Rostam talks us through his incredibly varied songwriting processes, from demoing beats on a Japanese bullet train and jamming with the TV, to improvising parts in the studio and simply writing without his brain.  Going in deep, we?re treated to beat constructions, reverb breakdowns and sax playing that is just all feel, all alongside the subtle sounds that completely transform the emotion in a track. Listen to find out which plugin changed the way he thinks about recording vocals, why clarity can sometimes completely destroy a vibe, and how to treat an addiction to groove. Tracks discussed: From The Back of a Cab, 4Runner, Starlight   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ?Changephobia? here.  'Changephobia? - Matsor Projects Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    GEAR MENTIONS Moog Voyager Korg Trident Solaris Synth Roland Juno 60 Line 6 Pedals ELA M 251 Mic AKG C414 Eventide H3000 Eventide Swell Reverb UAD Eventide H910 Harmoniser Neve BCM 10  Vari-Mu Compressor Tube-Tech CL 1B Compressor Neve Preamp 500 Series 1073LB Waves CLA Vocal Plugin Universal Audio 1176 Compressor Valhalla Shimmer McDSP M404  Ableton Sibelius ProTools   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!    Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode John links up with Marie Ulven, aka girl in red, and producer Matias Tellez, to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced her debut album ?if i could make it go quiet?. With Marie?s original bedroom recordings to hand, the pair take us through how they built on the framework of her demos, singling out the minuscule details in each track that you probably wouldn?t notice, but are completely responsible for the vibe.  Alongside stories of recording without reverb and taking energy from different genres, Marie discusses the sentiment behind her lyrics as well as the individual syllable and pronunciation changes that had such big impacts.  Listen to find out how to create an electronic beat from acoustic instruments, why you should always check things with a tremolo on, and what the appropriate response is when Taylor Swift posts about your album! Tracks discussed: Body And Mind, Did You Come?, Apartment 402   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ?if i could make it go quiet? here.   ?if i could make it go quiet? - World In Red, AWAL Recordings Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    GEAR MENTIONS Stam Audio SA-47 Neve Preamps Retro Instruments Sta-Level Compressor Soundtoys Devil-Loc Soundtoys Alter Boy   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!    Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John heads down to Royal Blood?s secret studio near Brighton to catch up with Mike and Ben about how they wrote, recorded and produced their chart-topping album ?Typhoons?. Having written the majority of the record apart from each other in lockdown, the duo reflect on their creative process, from forming demos on the living room sofa to dipping their toes in musical moves they?ve never had the guts to do before. Incorporating the dance floor into their world for the first time, we hear how they combined disco influences with sounds from the depths of hell, as well as the inside details on song structuring, adapting drum parts, and tricks to help nail vocal writing.  Listen to find out how a looped mistake can become the basis of a hook, how a £30 amp from eBay helped form the majority of the record?s sound, and how Brad Pitt almost made a feature. Tracks discussed: Typhoons, Limbo, Mad Visions   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ?Typhoons? here. ?Typhoons? - Warner Records UK, Imperial Galactic Limited, Black Mammoth    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    GEAR MENTIONS Universal Audio Apollo Twin Universal Audio Preamps Shure SM7B  Spectrasonics Keyscape Soundtoys Pan Man Overstayer   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!    Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we pick out a selection of highlights from Season 7. If you haven?t heard every episode from the last season, this is a good way to introduce yourself to some of the artists and producers we?ve had on and hear some of their top studio tips, writing processes and all-round philosophies towards creating a record.    You?ll hear highlights from:  Bicep Idles with Nick Launay and Adam Greenspan King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard Paul Weller with Stan Kybert and Charles Rees Adam Buxton Fontaines DC and Dan Carey Slowthai with Kwes Darko SG Lewis   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to the albums featured this season with the links below. Bicep - ?Isles? IDLES - ?Ultra Mono? King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard - ?K.G.? & ?L.W.?  Paul Weller - ?On Sunset? Fontaines D.C. - ?Dogrel? & ?A Hero?s Death? Slowthai - ?TYRON? S.G. Lewis - ?Times?    OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear   HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!    Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk    'Isles' - Ninja Tune  'Ultra Mono' - Partisan Records 'K.G.' and 'L.W' - A KGLW Release 'On Sunset' - A Polydor Records Release; Solid Bond Productions Limited, under exclusive license to Universal Music Operations Limited 'Dogrel' and 'A Hero's Death' - Partisan Records ?TYRON' - A Method Records/Interscope/AWGE release. 'Times' - A PMR/EMI release, under exclusive license to Universal Music Operations Limited Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John catches up with Sam Lewis AKA SG Lewis to get lost in the disco grooves of his album ?Times?. Digging deep into the writing and production, Sam charts the development of the tracks right the way through from the demos and initial studio sessions, to recreating sounds and samples with disco legends. As well as treating us to unheard Chic versions and heaps of Nile Rodgers riffing, he reflects on learning to record his voice for the first time, along with the realisation that singing isn?t always about singing. Listen to find out about the hardest parts of recreating demo magic, how a healthy dose of sidechain compression can create the ultimate vocal bounce, and why sometimes all you need is an iPhone to record a piano. Tracks discussed: One More, Feed The Fire, Chemicals LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes   Listen to 'Times' here. 'Times' - A PMR/EMI release, under exclusive license to Universal Music Operations Limited Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    GEAR MENTIONS Sequential OB6 OB-Xd (Free) Teenage Engineering OP1 Minimoog Roland Jupiter Gem Dopamine UAD Oxford Inflator  Valhalla Vintage Verb Waves Doubler Native Instruments Massive   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear   HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!    Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John is joined by slowthai and producer Kwes Darko at Iguana Studios, to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ?Tyron?. With voice messages, demos and stems in hand, Ty and Kwes lay out the development of each track, from the gear and technicalities of capturing vocals and making a beat that hits hard, to the smallest production details that often have the biggest emotional impact. Delving into the deep stuff, the pair discuss the philosophies and attitudes at the heart of their tight artist-producer relationship, as well as sharing wise words on creativity, development and some of the best forms of inspiration.  Listen to find out why Ty had to out rap a rapper on his own track, how they used Twitter as a creative tool, and the reason why you should always check a mix in the car.  Tracks discussed: MAZZA, PLAY WITH FIRE, adhd   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective  Listen to 'TYRON' here. 'TYRON' - A Method Records/Interscope/AWGE release.   GEAR MENTIONS AKG C414 Neumann U87 Mellotron Roland TR-808 Soundtoys Decapitator Empirical Labs Distressor Tube-Tech Neve Preamps Universal Audio Neve 1073 Universal Audio Apollos Universal Audio Neumann NDH 20 Genelec Monitors Fender Stratocaster Native Instruments Komplete East West Virtual Instruments   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear   HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!    Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Catching up on some much-needed studio goodness, John returns to Mr Dan?s studio to chat with Conor and Tom of Fontaines D.C. and producer Dan Carey, about how they wrote, recorded and produced the albums 'Dogrel? and ?A Hero?s Death?. With rehearsal room and garden shed demos in hand, Conor, Tom and Dan give us a rundown of some of the key moments of the band?s career, from first meetings at a 20 person gig to recording an entire album in LA, and then redoing it in London. Digging into the recording process, we hear thoughts on the ultimate ways to capture the full experience of a live band, and Dan explains the ins and outs of getting things down on tape. Listen to find out what was achieved when the band built an amp castle, how a room became their new sixth member, and why so much skill is involved in playing one note bass lines. Tracks discussed: Too Real, A Hero?s Death, You Said   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to 'Dogrel' here. Listen to 'A Hero's Death' here. 'Dogrel' and 'A Hero's Death' - Partisan Records  Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    GEAR MENTIONS Swarmatron Logic Pro  Ludwig Black Beauty Fender Coronado  Fender Mustang Rainger Minor Concussion   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :)  Donate   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   To let us know the artists you?d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We?d love to hear!    Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices