HOWA 113 - JAMES FORD

Oct 12, 2023

James Ford, one of the most badass producers in the business, talks about his low key English badassness. He shares his experiences working with Arctic Monkeys, Depeche Mode, Foals, Gorillaz, and Kylie Minogue. The podcast also discusses the benefits of using Sound Toys, the qualities of Stasia microphones, setting up a studio space, and the joy of walking in the city. They explore different avenues of music production and reflect on pessimism, optimism, and finding joy in life.

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Introduction

00:00 • 4min

Highly Recommending Sound Toys and Improving Sound with Echo Boy

03:39 • 4min

Reviewing Stasia Microphones and Comparing them to SM7

07:19 • 2min

Microphones, James Ford, and Interview Excitement

08:54 • 22min

Discussing Drum Recording Equipment

31:19 • 3min

Setting Up a Studio Space

34:30 • 23min

The Importance of Trusted Individuals

57:20 • 18min

Shifting Focus to Home Studio

01:15:03 • 19min

Thoughts on Living in London vs the Countryside

01:34:28 • 1min

The Amazing New Record

01:35:52 • 5min

The Joy of Walking in the City

01:40:59 • 4min

Exploring Different Avenues of Music Production

01:44:48 • 17min

Pessimism, Optimism, and Finding Joy in Life

02:02:03 • 6min

Expressing Gratitude and Rambling

02:07:46 • 6min

My guest on the show is James Ford who is really one of the most badass producers in the business.

Im talking about the kind of low key English badassness and not the Tarantino variety if you know what I mean. James is involved in so many things and yet he does it without needing a big spotlight on himself. Humble badass. That’s the one.

He’s been active for many years. I mean we used to see each other in that classic ships in the night stylee when I was touring with Cristian Vogel back in the late nineties. We are talking about a man with Multiple decades of energy dedication and knowledge a go go!

He’s got the quadfecta mad skills as composer, multi-instrumentalist, producer and songwriter which is probably one of the reasons he’s been able to be so nimble and effective working with a huge range of incredible artists from Arctic Monkeys to Depeche Mode via Foals, Gorillaz and Kylie Minogue.

You may know him as one half of Simian Mobile Disco, alongside longtime creative partner Jas Shaw or perhaps as a touring member of The Last Shadow Puppets.

The hat cupboard in the house is ample!

I was lucky enough to feature on a track with SMD a while back and got to see the studio when it was at the Premises in Hackney.

Now he’s got a supreme attic room that is beyond decked out. We have a little tour of that for anyone who is curious about his gear choices after all this time.

Then we get deep into the world of making, art, the hurdles, the path. The good stuff of rambling! Welcome to the mind of a sonic chef.

His first solo album “The Hum” is out now on warp records and it’s a corker!

https://www.jamesellisford.com

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Patreon

https://www.patreon.com/HOWA

All sounds from this episode will go to those on the upper tier !

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Id like to thank show sponsors

SOUNDTOYS

https://www.soundtoys.com

KORG

https://www.korg.com

STAGER MICS

http://stagermicrophones.com

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NITTY!!!