How to Record a Song on Your Own

There were no demos for these songs There were no demos no like it's all literally sort of exploratory recording if that makes sense You know a lot you know sometimes I would do it again if because I'm in here on my own Like I record the drums through these preamps behind me. and then put a bit of bass on top Yeah, so so I would have done that So obviously there's some percussion stuff on here But which I would have added afterwards could tambourine?

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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

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Listen to ‘The Hum’ here.