Tape Notes

We’ve been having a look back through the Tape Notes archive to bring back some of our favourite early episodes that you may have missed. The first selection is our chat with Dave Bayley (Glass Animals) from summer 2018.  

EPISODE NOTES

John ventures up to Dave Bayley’s new home studio in London Fields to talk about how Glass Animals’ debut album ZABA was recorded and produced. 

We hear how Dave conjured up the band’s unique style through many late night sessions in his bedroom when he should’ve been studying for medical school. He reveals his producer hero’s and an insatiable appetite for data collection, creating his own sound world through sampling every sound imaginable. 

Dave guides us through a fascinating breakdown of Gooey – from an early voice demo recorded on his phone to the finished article and we learn some of his trade secrets along the way. 

Tracks featured: Gooey, Hazey, Toes

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to 'ZABA' here.

'ZABA' - Wolf Tone Limited

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective 

GEAR MENTIONS

Audio-Technica AT4040

Fender Deluxe 57

Laney VC20

Marshall Stack

Rob Papen Albino Synth

Roland Jupiter 6

Shure SM57

Soundtoys Decapitator

Soundtoys Microshift

Soundtoys Alter Boy

UAD Amp Emulators

Vox AC30

Waves Kramer

Ableton

Ableton Spectrum Plugin

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

Or you can join us on Patreon, where among many things you can access full length videos of most new episodes, ad-free episodes and detailed gear list breakdowns.

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

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

Nico Varanese - Videographer, Editor

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

Jessica Clucas - Production Assistant

Katie-Louise Buxton - Production Assistant

John links up with hyper-pop royalty, Laura Les and Dylan Brady, aka 100 gecs, to talk about their latest album ‘10,000 gecs’.

100 gecs first broke onto the scene with their debut album ‘1000 gecs’ in 2019. Capturing attention online and amongst music fans, the innovative record was described as ‘one of the year's most fascinating, exhilarating experimental pop albums’. Their second studio album ‘10,000 gecs’, released in 2023, sees them maintain their status as hyper-pop trailblazers, this time blending pop-punk and ska in with their signature maximalist sound.

Reflecting on their writing process and how it has changed over the years, the conversation covers a range of topics, from the vast number of alternatives each track goes through, to the crazy sound design and effects that make up such an enormous part of their style.  

Tracks discussed: Hollywood Baby, 757, The Most Wanted Person In The United States

----------------

Thanks to Audiomovers for supporting this episode. Their Listento Plugin has been a gamechanger for us and we use it across all of our remote interviews and recordings.

To see their full range of plugins, visit audiomovers.com and use the promo code TAPENOTES1 at checkout to get your free month (usually only two days).

----------------

Thanks to Tape It for supporting this episode. Tape It is a recording app designed specifically for musicians and songwriters. Among many of Tape It's incredible features, you can record straight from lock screen, set markers and have complete control over your record settings, and that just the start.

To find out more and get the full app free for a month, head to www.tape.it/tapenotes

----------------

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘10,000 gecs’ here .

• Dog Show Recordings, Atlantic Recordings

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

Native Instruments Guitar Rig

Waves Tune Real Time

Soundtoys Decapitator

Toontrack Superior Drummer

Xfer Serum Synth

Mace Guitar Amp

Shure SM7B

Orange Amp

V-Drums

Mesa Dual Rectifier Amp Head

Splice

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

Or you can join us on Patreon, where among many things you can access full length videos of most new episodes, ad-free episodes and detailed gear list breakdowns.

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

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, Videographer

Will Lyons - Editor

Nico Varanese - Videographer, Editor

David Yu - Engineer (LA)

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

Raphi Elton-Rowley - Production Assistant

Jessica Clucas - Production Assistant

Katie-Louise Buxton - Production Assistant

John ventures into the depths of Kent to catch up with Matthew Herbert and discuss his latest work ‘The Horse’.

Renowned for his innovative sound exploration, Matthew gained recognition under various names, including Doctor Rockit, Wishmountain, and Herbert. He's produced for artists such as Bjork and Róisín Murphy, composed for stage and screen, and earned international acclaim for his records. His latest collaboration with the London Contemporary Orchestra resulted in 'The Horse.'

Alongside a full album playback, the conversation covers the thought process behind the sounds, collaborators and story of each track, Matthew also shares his thoughts on ways in which to engage with music and creativity, and how to do it in a way that keeps you continuously inspired.

Tracks discussed: Full Album

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘The Horse’ here.

• Matthew Herbert, Modern Recordings, BMG

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 join us on Patreon, where among many things you can access full length videos of most new episodes, ad-free episodes and detailed gear list breakdowns.

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

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

Nico Varanese - Videographer, Editor

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

Jessica Clucas - Production Assistant

Katie-Louise Buxton - Production Assistant

John links up pop-rock band Fall Out Boy, and producer Neal Avron, to talk about their latest studio album ‘So Much (For) Stardust’. 

Emerging from Chicago’s hardcore punk scene in the early 2000’s, Fall Out Boy rose to fame with hits including ‘Sugar, We’re Goin Down’ and 'Thnks fr th Mmrs’. Constantly innovating, their eight studio albums have seen them embrace all sides of music, including R&B, and electro-pop. For their latest record ‘So Much (For) Stardust’, they return to their roots, working with producer Neal Avron. 

Chatting with Patrick and Neal, the conversation covers the band’s approach to the early stages of demoing, their collaboration with a full orchestra and some of the best players in the business, and how they divide different writing responsibilities amongst each other.

Tracks discussed: Love From The Other Side, Heaven, Iowa, So Much (For) Stardust

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘So Much (For) Stardust) here.

• Fueled By Ramen, Elektra Music Group Inc.

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

Native Instruments Kontakt

Native Instruments Guitar Rig

Audiomovers Listento

Fender Strat

Orange Amps

Dave Smith Poly Evolver Synth

Ensoniq Fizmo Synth

Roland TR-66 Rhythm Arranger

Neumann U 47

1176

LA-2A

Slingerland Drums

Guild S-100 Guitar

Gibson Les Paul

Neve Console

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

Or you can join us on Patreon, where among many things you can access full length videos of most new episodes, ad-free episodes and detailed gear list breakdowns.

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

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

Nico Varanese - Videographer, Editor

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

Jessica Clucas - Production Assistant

Katie-Louise Buxton - Production Assistant

John sits down with indie rock band Bombay Bicycle Club to talk about their sixth studio album ‘My Big Day’. 

Bombay Bicycle Club are a four-piece band from London, that broke onto the indie music scene with their genre defining debut album ‘I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose’ in 2009. Since then they have been releasing a steady stream of music which has been met with high critical acclaim, earning them an Ivor Novello and a Mercury Prize nominations. 

Chatting with band members Jack Steadman and Ed Nash, the three cover a range of topics including the inspiration behind the album, their use of sampling in their music, how over-thinking can negatively influence the production process, and their collaboration with music legends Damon Albarn, Paul Epworth & Chaka Khan.

Tracks discussed: My Big Day, Heaven, Just A Little More Time

----------------

Thanks to Tape It for supporting this episode. Tape It is a recording app designed specifically for musicians and songwriters. Among many of Tape It's incredible features, you can record straight from lock screen, set markers and have complete control over your record settings, and that just the start.

To find out more and get the full app free for a month, head to www.tape.it/tapenotes

----------------

To support the show and become a Patron, head to Patreon.co.uk/tapenotes. Any and all support is hugely appreciated, we don't take it for granted so thank you.

----------------

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘My Big Day’ here - https://songwhip.com/bombay-bicycle-club/my-big-day 

• Mmm…Records, AWAL Recordings

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective - https://songwhip.com/laurelcollective/sunshinebuddy   

GEAR MENTIONS

Magix Samplitude - https://geni.us/iBEqbXn

Casio Keyboard - https://geni.us/hKfe

Korg Monotron - https://geni.us/T5K1H

Native Instruments Kontakt - https://geni.us/AFPeU

Paul Epworth's Neve Desks - https://geni.us/TFoT0

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

Or you can join us on Patreon, where among many things you can access full length videos of most new episodes, ad-free episodes and detailed gear list breakdowns.

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

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

Nico Varanese - Videographer, Editor

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

Jessica Clucas - Production Assistant

Katie-Louise Buxton - Production Assistant

In this episode, John is reunited with Mike Kerr of Royal Blood, to talk about how the band wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Back To The Water Below’.

Following the success of their fourth number one album, Mike reflects on how their purpose as musicians has changed over the years, sharing their process of working out what they love, but haven't done with Royal Blood yet.

Giving us an in depth look behind each track, we hear stories of musical experiments, including making a new ‘wall of sound’ guitar and playing specially modified pianos, while simultaneously inviting new genres into the Royal Blood sound.

Listen to find out the best way to beat the sounds on your demos, tips on how to keep a two-hour live set engaging, and thoughts on why you shouldn’t wait for inspiration to come.

Tracks discussed: Triggers, There Goes My Cool, Waves

----------------

Thanks to Tape It for supporting this episode. Tape It is a recording app designed specifically for musicians and songwriters. Among many of Tape It's incredible features, you can record straight from lock screen, set markers and have complete control over your record settings, and that just the start.

To find out more and get the full app free for a month, head to www.tape.it/tapenotes

----------------

To support the show and become a Patron, head to Patreon.co.uk/tapenotes. Any and all support is hugely appreciated, we don't take it for granted so thank you.

----------------

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘Back To The Water Below’ here.

• Imperial Galactic, Black Mammoth, Warner Records

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

Soundtoys Devil-Loc

Spectrasonics Keyscape

Mrs Mills Piano

Avid 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

Or you can join us on Patreon, where among many things you can access full length videos of most new episodes, ad-free episodes and detailed gear list breakdowns.

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

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

Nico Varanese - Videographer, Editor

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

Jessica Clucas - Production Assistant

Katie-Louise Buxton - Production Assistant

Thanks to Tape It for supporting this episode. Tape It is a recording app designed specifically for musicians and songwriters. Among many of Tape It's incredible features, you can record straight from lock screen, set markers and have complete control over your record settings, and that just the start.

To find out more and get the full app free for a month, head to www.tape.it/tapenotes

-------

In this episode, John is joined by Dodie and Martin Luke Brown of FIZZ, along with producer Pete Miles, to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘The Secret To Life’.

Discussing how FIZZ came into being, Martin and Dodie explain the reasons and implications of setting their solo work to the side (temporarily), to have a holiday from music, but still doing music...  

As well as lots of sharing stories, stems and general shenanigans from their time down at Middle Farm Studios, we hear how each band member brought something different to the table, approaching creativity in so many different ways - from jamming over loops, to singing around their house and recording voice notes in the bath.

Listen to find out why sometimes it’s better just to yell your guitar solos, which piece of kit is the secret 7th member of FIZZ, and which chorus pedal has the wobbliest chorus of all chorus pedals.

Tracks discussed: Secret To Life, Strawberry Jam, The Grand Finale

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘The Secret To Life’ here.

•  Decca Records, FKA Chairs, Universal Music

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

Full Middle Farm Studios Gear

Roland RE-301 Chorus Echo

Soundtoys Devil Loc

Shure M267 Mic Preamp/Limiter

ProCo Rat Pedal

Electro Harmonix Polychorus

Studer A80 Tape Machine

1965 Hammond C3

Leslie Speaker

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

Or you can join us on Patreon, where among many things you can access full length videos of most new episodes, ad-free episodes and detailed gear list breakdowns.

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

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

Nico Varanese - Videographer, Editor

Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

In this episode, John is joined by Olivia Dean and producer Matt Hales to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced Olivia’s Mercury-nominated debut album ‘Messy’.

Taking us back to the very start of their story, the pair discuss the inspiration for the album, sharing their approach to marrying different musical cultures and the importance of the chats they had before writing.

As well as playing their writing session voice notes showing the exact moments each song took shape, we hear stories of mouth trumpet demos, creating artefacts to make instruments sound sampled, and the thought process behind choosing mix engineers. 

Listen to find out why so much of what makes a good record can come from turning things off, why it’s so valuable to just have things around the studio, and why tea can be such an integral part of the creative process.

Tracks discussed: UFO, Messy, Carmen

----------------

Thanks to Tape It for supporting this episode. Tape It is a recording app designed specifically for musicians and songwriters. Among many of Tape It's incredible features, you can record straight from lock screen, set markers and have complete control over your record settings, and that just the start.

To find out more and get the full app free for a month, head to www.tape.it/tapenotes

----------------

Thanks to Audiomovers for supporting this episode. Their Listento Plugin has been a gamechanger for us and we use it across all of our remote interviews and recordings.

To see their full range of plugins, visit audiomovers.com and use the promo code TAPENOTES1 at checkout to get your free month (usually only two days).

----------------

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘Messy’ here - https://songwhip.com/oliviadean/messy2023

•  EMI, Universal Music

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective - https://songwhip.com/laurelcollective/sunshinebuddy   

GEAR MENTIONS

AudioThing Reels

Shure SM7B

Boss CE1 Pedal

Moog Synths

Steinberg 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

Or you can join us on Patreon, where among many things you can access full length videos of most new episodes, ad-free episodes and detailed gear list breakdowns.

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

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

Nico Varanese - Videographer, Editor

Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

Thanks to Audiomovers for supporting this episode. Their Listento Plugin has been a gamechanger for us and we use it across all of our remote interviews and recordings.

To see their full range of plugins, visit audiomovers.com and use the promo code TAPENOTES1 at checkout to get your free month (usually only two days).

In this episode, John is back at Strongroom Studios to catch up with Bakar and producer Zach Nahome about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Halo’.

Looking back at the varied starting points of the songs, Bakar and Zach chart the journey of the album writing process, from writing in hotel rooms and AirBnbs to some of the most legendary studios in the world.

As well as sharing the conversations that helped fuel their creativity, we are given a glimpse into how the pair forged Bakar’s distinctive sound, sharing tips on bringing modern elements into music that feels old, and building distinctive worlds of reverb.

Listen to find out why you shouldn’t delete old beats, how a thief managed to unknowingly shape the sound of a track, and how working with an ‘anti-setup’ outside of the studio can benefit the song.

Tracks discussed: Alive!, Facts_Situations, Right Here, for Now

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘Halo’ here.

•  Black Butter

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

Abbey Road Vinyl

Soundtoys Effect Rack

Arturia Farfisa Synth

Arturia Jupiter 8

Spectrasonics Omnisphere

Nicky Romero Kickstart

Waves API 2500 Compressor

Valhalla Vintage Verb

Neumann TLM 103

Shure SM7B

Neumann U67

Gibson Les Paul

Fender Strat

Martin Guitars

Philips Philicorda

Squire PBass

KRK Monitors

Rokit 8 Monitors

Neve Preamps

Focusrite

Logic Pedals - Vintage Drive

Logic Pedals - Flanger

Logic Space Designer

Logic Pitch Correction

Logic EQ

Logic Slap Echo

Garageband 

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

Or you can join us on Patreon, where among many things you can access full length videos of most new episodes, ad-free episodes and detailed gear list breakdowns.

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

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

Nico Varanese - Editor/Videographer

Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

Thanks to Audiomovers for supporting this episode. Their Listento Plugin has been a gamechanger for us and we use it across all of our remote interviews and recordings.

To see their full range of plugins, visit audiomovers.com and use the promo code TAPENOTES1 at checkout to get your free month (usually only two days).

In this episode, John is joined by James Blake to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Playing Robots Into Heaven’.

With the idea of simplifying his solo work primarily with synths and drums, James shares his process of crafting an album with the purpose of getting away from the computer, reflecting on the impact it had on his creativity and mental health.

A true master of modular synths, he talks us through the long journey learning to create ‘listenable’ music with them, discussing the ways in which they are able to create sounds that he couldn't have imagined. 

Listen to discover the enlightening advice James received from Universal's Head A&R, how to best record your voice if you plan to pitch it, and how to adopt the mindset of making music for fun.

Tracks discussed: Loading, Big Hammer, Playing Robots Into Heaven

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘Playing Robots Into Heaven’ here.

Republic Records, Polydor Records, UMG Recordings

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

Thermionic Culture Fat Bustard

Sequential Prophet 8

Native Instruments Massive

Intellijel Metropolis

Make Noise MATHS

Make Noise Black and Gold

Soma Pulsar-23

Roland SH-101

Roland TR-8S

Roland TR-909

Erica Synths LX-02

OEK Sound Soothe

FXpansion Geist

Valhalla Reverbs

Valhalla Vintage Verb

API Desk

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

Or you can join us on Patreon, where among many things you can access full length videos of most new episodes, ad-free episodes and detailed gear list breakdowns.

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

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

Andy Tindall - Videographer

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

Thanks to Audiomovers for supporting this episode. Their Listento Plugin has been a gamechanger for us and we use it across all of our remote interviews and recordings.

To see their full range of plugins, visit audiomovers.com and use the promo code TAPENOTES1 at checkout to get your free month (usually only two days).

In this episode, John heads to Miloco’s The Yard Studios, to catch up with Guy and Howard of Disclosure, and talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Alchemy’.

Having taken a break from their relentless touring schedule, the pair guide us through their reassessed approach to creativity. From stories of managing burnout and heartbreak, to balancing meaning and feelings with the key production choices of each track.

As well as sharing Howard’s very first AirBnb demos, Guy digs deep with a vast production breakdown, including sharing his go-to method of creating kicks and the small additions to a track that can make it sparkle.

Listen to find out the quickest way to come up with a new track idea, why it’s so good to be musically naive, and the best ways to check if things still sound cool.

Tracks discussed: Looking For Love, Simply Won’t Do, High Than Ever Before

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘Alchemy’ here.

•  Apollo Records, AWAL

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

Soundtoys Little AlterBoy

FabFilter Saturn

Izotope VocalSynth 2

BigKick - https://geni.us/vOoH

Spectrasonics Omnisphere

Spectrasonics Keyscape

Spectrasonics Trilian

Tube Tech Compressor

Pultec EQ

Neumann Mics

SSL SIX Channel Strip

Fairchild Compressor Plugin

Fairchild Compressor (Real thing)

Ampeg Bass Amp

GEM Dopamine

Kick 2

OEK Sound Soothe

Valhalla Reverbs

Xfer LFO Tool

The God Particle

Roland Jupiter 8

DX7 Synth

Waldorf Wave

Yamaha CS60

Novation Peak

Logic EFM Synth

Logic Ultrabeat

Logic Pro X

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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

Or you can join us on Patreon, where among many things you can access full length videos of most new episodes, ad-free episodes and detailed gear list breakdowns.

KEEP UP TO DATE

For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on: 

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Facebook: @tapenotespodcast  

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TAPE NOTES TEAM

Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor

Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer

Will Lyons - Editor

Andy Tindall/Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

Thanks to Audiomovers for supporting this episode. Their Listento Plugin has been a gamechanger for us and we use it across all of our remote interviews and recordings.

To see their full range of plugins, visit audiomovers.com and use the promo code TAPENOTES1 at checkout to get your free month (usually only two days).

In this episode, John catches up with Amber Bain aka The Japanese House, along with producers Chloe Kraemer and George Daniel to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘In The End It Always Does’.

Looking back on their time together, Amber, Chloe, and George guide us through the process of bringing each song to life. Alongside stories of misunderstood lyrics and dog walk writing sessions, they treat us to some of the most stunning first demos ever heard, as well as the spontaneous studio moments that left everyone in tears.

As well as digging into the processes that shape the sound of the record, the trio discuss the importance of people when making music. They give us insights on the effects that come with having different personalities in the room, and how their studio mindsets have allowed them to efficiently work together in all iterations of themselves.

Listen to find out why there should be more songs about pets, how insecurity can destroy productivity, and what the difference is between a lyric song and a music song. 

Tracks discussed: Boyhood, Sunshine Baby, One for sorrow, two for Joni Jones

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘In The End It Always Does’ here.

•  Dirty Hit

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   

GEAR MENTIONS

Output Portal

Soundtoys PrimalTap

Spectrasonics Omnisphere

Xfer Serum

Moog One

OUR GEAR

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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

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KEEP UP TO DATE

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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

Andy Tindall/Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer/Editors

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

In this episode, John is joined by Blur frontman Damon Albarn and producer James Ford, to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘The Ballad of Darren’.

With Damon’s initial demos to hand, the pair give us a guided tour of the record, right through the early versions and studio sessions, from the moments that reignited the feelings they had when writing in the 90s, to piecing together the musical jigsaw that forms the Blur sound.

Along with stories of Damon’s inspirational chickens and the dangers of making pesto while writing an album, we’re treated to an in depth production and songwriting masterclass, with details on manufacturing the sound of a room, and the importance of energy and intention behind a song.

Listen to find out what makes the first performance of something so special, why a 4-track recorder can sometimes be a great replacement pillow, and what benefits come with giving yourself distance from a record.

Tracks discussed: St. Charles Square, The Everglades (For Leonard), The Narcissist

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘The Ballad of Darren’ here 

•  Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

Eventide H3000

U47 Mic

Neve 1073 Preamp

Neve Desk

TON-1501 Analog Strings Synthesizer

Powertran Transcendent 2000

Coles 4038 Mics

Mellotron

Whurli

Clavinet

Fender Amps

Semler Amps

Garageband

OUR GEAR

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HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

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Donate

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KEEP UP TO DATE

For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on: 

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Twitter: @tapenotes 

Facebook: @tapenotespodcast  

YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast

Discord: Tape Notes

Patreon: 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

Videographer - Andy Tindall/Herbie Elton-Rowley

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

In this episode, John is joined by Ben Howard and producer Nathan Jenkins aka Bullion, to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced Ben’s latest album ‘Is It?’.

Looking back on their time together, Ben and Nathan talk us through their collaborative journey, from their initial coffee shop discussions, to the 10 day stint recording in the South of France. Sharing their initial sketches, voice note demos and the unexpected moments that changed the direction of each of the tracks.

In addition to stories of delay tuning and the potentially negative effects of singing with too much reverb, the pair share their thoughts on the importance of considering different musical approaches and giving time to ideas to allow them to flourish.

Listen to find out why you’ll never need four mics on an amp, why one wrong note with a delay can ruin a whole take, and why laziness is fundamental to Ben’s creativity.

Tracks discussed: Walking Backwards, Days Of Lantana, Spirit

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Thanks to Strongroom Studios for having us!

Instagram

Twitter

Listen to ‘Is It?’ here.

• Island, Universal Music Operations Limited

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

Korg Volca Beat

CR78 Drum Machine

Shure SM57

Shure SM58

EchoPlex

Roland Space Echo RE-201

Teenage Engineering OP1

Eventide H3000 Ultra Harmoniser

OUR GEAR

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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

Or you can join us on Patreon, where among many things you can access full length videos of most new episodes, ad-free episodes and detailed gear list breakdowns.

KEEP UP TO DATE

For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on: 

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Twitter: @tapenotes 

Facebook: @tapenotespodcast  

YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast

Discord: Tape Notes

Patreon: 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

Or you can join us on Patreon, where among many things you can access full length videos of most new episodes, ad-free episodes and detailed gear list breakdowns.

TAPE NOTES TEAM

Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor

Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer

Will Lyons - Editor

Videographer - Andy Tindall

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

In this episode, John joins Dom Harrison, a.k.a. YUNGBLUD and producer Mati Schwartz to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced Dom’s debut album, ‘21st Century Liability’.

Digging into the very first tracks that the pair worked on together, Dom and Mati share the story of how their relationship began, looking back at the early rejection and tough love moment that kicked Dom into action, and forming the Yungblud sound as we know it today.

As well as talking through the evolution of his tracks, including playing unheard sections and old vocal takes, we’re treated to thoughts on the importance of individuality in music, and the huge impact that comes with really knowing what you want to say.

Listen to find out one of the best excuses for buying more guitars, how simple hi-hats can make a song bounce, and what happens when you bump into Chris Martin naked in a steam room. 

Tracks discussed: I Love You Will You Marry Me, Anarchist, Polygraph Eyes, 

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘21st Century Liability’ here.

• Locomotion Recordings, Geffen Records, Interscope

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

Waves CLA Vocals

UAD Compressors

Logic Compressor

Addictive Drums

Gibson B25 1964

Fender Strat 1963

Martin Guitars

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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

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KEEP UP TO DATE

For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on: 

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Twitter: @tapenotes 

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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! 

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TAPE NOTES TEAM

Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor

Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer

Will Lyons - Editor

Videographer - Herbie Elton-Rowley

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

Get 50GB of DAW project storage with our sponsor Aux: https://aux.app/tapenotes 

In this episode, John joins Nick Douwma, a.k.a. Sub Focus, to talk about how he wrote, recorded, and produced his latest album 'Evolve'.

Unable to stop John from dancing out of his chair, Nick ploughs on and talks us through the evolution of his most recent tracks. Sharing some of the first demos and samples that kick-started his process, we hear stories of late-night hotel room sessions and road-testing tracks live before settling into them.

As well as delving into some of the history and theory behind Drum & Bass, we're treated to a production masterclass, diving deep with tips on oscillators and tuning, harmonics, and things to bear in mind when you're having phase issues.

Listen to find out why you almost never double the speed of an a cappella, why the key of a track is so important, and how to constructively use your time outside of the studio.

Tracks discussed: Fine Day, Ready To Fly, Secrets

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘Evolve’ here

• EMI, Universal Music Operations Limited

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

Sonorous PaulXStretch

Oszillos Mega Scope

Xfer LFO Tool

Thermionic Culture Vulture Emulation

Clariphonic DSP MkII

Korg M1 Piano VST

Valhalla Shimmer

Celemony Melodyne

Akaizer

Spitfire Strings

Xfer Serum

ROMpler Instrument

Reese Bass

Roland Juno 60

Shure SM58

Neumann U87

Apple AirPods Max

Cubase

Ableton

OUR GEAR

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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

Or you can join us on Patreon, where among many things you can access full length videos of most new episodes, ad-free episodes and detailed gear list breakdowns.

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

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

Or you can join us on Patreon, where among many things you can access full length videos of most new episodes, ad-free episodes and detailed gear list breakdowns.

TAPE NOTES TEAM

Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor

Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer

Will Lyons - Editor

Videographer - Andy Tindall

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

In this episode, John catches up with the mastermind behind Temps, James Acaster, at Strongroom Studios, to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘PARTY GATOR PURGATORY’.

Reflecting on the genesis of Temps, James talks us through the initial moments of creation, from recording and chopping up his drums from an unaired mockumentary, through to his selection of almost 40 collaborators and how they each steered the music in such unexpected directions.

As well as stories of field recording and Pokemon catching on Brighton beach, we hear thoughts on the differences and crossover points between creating as a standup comedian and as a musician, discussing failure, taste, and the importance of considering your audience.

Listen to find out, why embracing deliberate imperfection can yield surprising results, how metal drums can transform into an emotional waltz, and why, on whatever project, the most important thing is that you love it.

Tracks discussed: lookaliveandplaydead, at(moves), slowreturn

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Thanks to Strongroom Studios for having us!

Instagram

Twitter

Listen to ‘PARTY GATOR PURGATORY’ here.

• Bella Union

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

Logic Pro X

Garageband

Yeti Microphone

OUR GEAR

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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

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KEEP UP TO DATE

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Twitter: @tapenotes 

Facebook: @tapenotespodcast  

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Discord: Tape Notes

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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! 

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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

Videographer - Andy Tindall

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

Thanks to Highnote for supporting this episode of Tape Notes.

Highnote is the best way to share, store, and discuss your recording projects, a kind of bespoke Dropbox for audio specifically built for communication. Think time-stamped voice comments directly over your audio, nesting versions to toggle and compare in real time, and instant notifications when people comment or listen to a track you’ve shared. Highnote accounts are completely free and include 4 gigabytes of storage to get your started, plus there's a special offer for Tape Notes listeners of 3 months of their 200GB plan for free.

Head to highnote.fm/tapenotes to find out more.

-------

In this episode, John ventures over to Clapton to join James Ellis Ford and talk about how he wrote, recorded, and produced the album ‘The Hum’.

His debut solo release after almost two decades working with some of the world's biggest artists, James looks back on how his approach to music has changed over the course of the album, reflecting on the different mindsets and decisions that come with producing his own work compared to that of others.

As well as a deep dive into his vast studio setup and hybrid system of new and old creative techniques, we’re treated to thoughts on the fine line of ironing out the humanness of mistakes, and how more often than not, pieces of gear can give you back ideas that you’d never have expected.

Listen to find out which undiscovered mics are used across almost all of the records he works on, how to implement a Frippertronics-style tape setup, and what you can create when you push a bass clarinet to its limits.

Tracks discussed: I Never Wanted Anything, Squeaky Wheel, The Yips

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘The Hum’ here.

• Warp Records

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

FabFilter Pro Q

Soundtoys PrimalTap

Soundtoys DevilLoc

UAD Fairchild Plugins

UAD 1176

UAD LA2A

K-Devices Plugins

ARP 2600

Cirklon Sequencer

Roland TR-808

Korg Maxi-Korg Synth

Hohner Clavinet

Philicorda

Beezneez Microphones

Melodium Ribbon Mic

Shure SM7B

Gibson ES-125 Guitar

Burns Bass

Ebow

Mutron Auto Wah

Mutron Phasor

Eventide H3000 Chorus

Space Station Reverb

Grampian Spring Reverb

MicMix Master Room Reverb MR-II

Selmer 60s Fuzz

Altec Preamp

Tascam 4TRK

J37 Tape Machine

Nagra Tape Machine

Studer Desk

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HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

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Donate

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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! 

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Donate

TAPE NOTES TEAM

Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor

Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer

Will Lyons - Editor

Videographer - Andy Tindall

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

In this episode, John links up with Thomas Wesley Pentz, aka Wes aka Diplo, to talk about his work under various guises with Major Lazer, Sia and as Thomas Wesley.

With on-going exploration of far reaching and cross-cultural mashups at the centre of his approach, Wes reflects on how working with so many specialists from across the globe has helped him forge a diverse sound and career.

Breaking apart three songs, Wes shares his thoughts on the considerations and care that have to be taken when sampling a ‘classic’ South African song, the gatekeeping in Country music and why new sounds are emerging around the genre, and the weird and wild things that Sia often gravitates towards in a song.

Listen to find out the specific rules of Amapiano, some of the elements that are essential to any pop song, and why it’s important to fail a lot.

Tracks discussed: Mamgobhozi (Major Lazer), Wasted (Thomas Wesley), Elastic Heart (Sia)

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘Piano Republik’ here.

• Because Music

Listen to ‘Wasted’ here.

• Mad Decent, Columbia, Sony

Listen to ‘Elastic Heart’ here.

• RCA Records, Sony

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

Fab Filter Plugins

Serum Synth

Synplant

Celemony Melodyne

Serato Sampler

Native Instruments Massive

Algoriddim Neural Mix

Output Arcade

Shure Mics

Teenage Engineering OP1

Operator Synth

Roland TB-303

Akai MPC3000

Whurlitzer

Ableton Mellotron Preset

Ableton Sampler

Ableton

Magix Sound Forge 

Cool Edit Pro

Logic Pro

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

Or you can join us on Patreon, where among many things you can access full length videos of most new episodes, ad-free episodes and detailed gear list breakdowns.

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 

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! 

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HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

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Donate

TAPE NOTES TEAM

Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor

Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer

Will Lyons - Editor

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

In this episode John catches up with Benny Sings and producer Kenny Beats to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Young Hearts’.

Linking in from their studios in Amsterdam and LA, Benny and Kenny look back on their time spent writing and how each environment had an impact on the music. From experiencing the ‘Kenny Beats Thing’ in LA along with his wealth of collaborators, to spending a solitary week writing in Amsterdam locked in the studio with Covid.

As well as sharing the voice notes that initially inspired Kenny to become involved in the project, the duo dig deep into the lessons they’ve picked up over the years. We’re treated to some tips and tricks behind effortless lyric writing, stock plugin gold, along with a deep dive into mixing and balancing drums and bass.

Listen to find out how to create definition between yourself and a character within a song, how to efficiently keep track of all your sessions, and what the definitive definition of ‘slap’ is.

Tracks discussed: Young Hearts, Pyjamas, Distance

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘Young Hearts’ here.

• Stones Throw Records

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   

GEAR MENTIONS

Fab Filter Pro Q3

Oek Sound Soothe

Valhalla Chorus

Goodhertz Midside

Goodhertz Vulf Compressor

Eventide Instant Phaser Plugin

Eventide Instant Phaser Outboard

Oliver Samples Packs

Beyerdynamic M500 Mic

Altec Outboard Mixer

Roland TR-55 Rhythm King Drum Machine

Yamaha CP-70

Hofner Club 50

Stylophone

Whurlitzer

Ableton

Ableton Drum Buss - Stock Plugin

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

Or you can join us on Patreon, where among many things you can access full length videos of most new episodes, ad-free episodes and detailed gear list breakdowns.

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

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

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

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

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

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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 

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

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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! 

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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 

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

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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! 

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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 

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

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HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

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Donate

KEEP UP TO DATE

For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on: 

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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! 

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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 

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! 

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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 

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

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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

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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

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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 

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

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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

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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 

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

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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

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

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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

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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

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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

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

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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

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 

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

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 

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 

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 

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 

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