How Do You Know What You're Trying to Say?

Lizzie: I was trying to figure out like who I was as a person and as a musician. And that really was reflected in the way that we went about working on these songs. It's almost as if you have to go through these different versions to get an understanding of what you are actually trying to say.

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Episode notes

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

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Listen to ‘Five Seconds Flat’ here.