Tape Notes TN:153 Porter Robinson
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Apr 17, 2025 Porter Robinson, an acclaimed American producer and DJ known for his unique blend of pop punk and hyper-pop influences, shares insights on his latest album, ‘SMILE! :D’. He discusses how his childhood guitar journey reshaped his songwriting, alongside the nostalgia-tinged inspirations from tracks like Coldplay's. Porter reveals the intricate process behind his songs, including the collaborative effort on 'Is There Really No Happiness' and explores the evolution of his live performance setup, emphasizing authenticity and emotional depth in his music.
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Porter Learns Guitar Fresh
- Porter Robinson started learning guitar a year before making the album Smile, knowing only a few chords in G.
- This new skill unlocked fresh creativity and a new way to write songs, fueling the album's guitar-driven energy.
Nostalgia Drives Porter’s Music
- Porter is inspired by nostalgic mid-2000s emo and rock music, but this was new to him, not direct nostalgia.
- He sees teenage music's vitality as high intensity, simple sounds, and basic chords with energy.
Creating a Scream-Like Synth Lead
- The synth lead in Cheerleader represents a firework with pitch instability and intense distortion.
- Porter layers pitch modulation and distortion to give it a scream-like, dynamic character that captivates.