Tape Notes TN:169 Parcels
Nov 28, 2025
Join Jules Crommelin and Patrick Hetherington from the Australian electropop band Parcels as they dive into the creative journey behind their latest album, "LOVED". They share tales from their early busking days in Australia and the evolution of their sound after relocating to Berlin. Discover how their signature multi-track harmonies bring a nostalgic feel to their songs and learn about the intriguing production techniques they employed, including live tracking and extensive room mic use to capture an authentic atmosphere.
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From Laptop Demo To Live Band Core
- "To Be Loved" began as Jules's simple Logic demo with an M1 piano plugin and auto-tuned guide vocals.
- The band later layered live piano, Juno synths and guitars in Berlin to capture a human, multi-instrument sound.
Play Together To Sound Mixed
- Parcels prefer recording the band playing together to create a natural, mixed sound without heavy processing.
- They arrange parts in-room so the recording often sounds 'mixed' before any later mixing work.
Group Vocals Around Room Mics
- The band tracks group vocals around stereo U87 pairs to create a room-like choir, later doubling takes for width.
- Jules and Patrick add close ad-libs afterward to inject energy and personality into mixes.