Diplo

Diplo, a Grammy Award-winning DJ and cultural innovator, dives into the complexities of the music industry. He discusses the pivotal role of curiosity in enhancing creativity and separating self-worth from external validation. Diplo opens up about balancing a demanding career with personal life, sharing insights on resilience stemming from a tumultuous upbringing. He emphasizes that mastery is a continuous journey, reflecting on the importance of vulnerability, connection, and enjoying the process over merely chasing achievements.

In this episode, John links up with Thomas Wesley Pentz, aka Wes aka Diplo, to talk about his work under various guises with Major Lazer, Sia and as Thomas Wesley.With on-going exploration of far reaching and cross-cultural mashups at the centre of his approach, Wes reflects on how working with so many specialists from across the globe has helped him forge a diverse sound and career.Breaking apart three songs, Wes shares his thoughts on the considerations and care that have to be taken when sampling a ‘classic’ South African song, the gatekeeping in Country music and why new sounds are emerging around the genre, and the weird and wild things that Sia often gravitates towards in a song.Listen to find out the specific rules of Amapiano, some of the elements that are essential to any pop song, and why it’s important to fail a lot.Tracks discussed: Mamgobhozi (Major Lazer), Wasted (Thomas Wesley), Elastic Heart (Sia)LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  linktr.ee/tapenotes Listen to ‘Piano Republik’ here.Because MusicListen to ‘Wasted’ here.Mad Decent, Columbia, SonyListen to ‘Elastic Heart’ here.RCA Records, SonyIntro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel CollectiveGEAR MENTIONSFab Filter PluginsSerum SynthSynplantCelemony MelodyneSerato SamplerNative Instruments MassiveAlgoriddim Neural MixOutput ArcadeShure MicsTeenage Engineering OP1Operator SynthRoland TB-303Akai MPC3000WhurlitzerAbleton Mellotron PresetAbleton SamplerAbletonMagix Sound Forge Cool Edit ProLogic ProSpliceOUR GEARhttps://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgearHELP SUPPORT THE SHOWIf you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :) DonateOr you can join us on Patreon, where among many things you can access full length videos of most new episodes, ad-free episodes and detailed gear list breakdowns.KEEP UP TO DATEFor behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on: Instagram: @tapenotes Twitter: @tapenotes Facebook: @tapenotespodcast  YouTube: Tape Notes PodcastDiscord: Tape NotesPatreon: Tape Notes To let us know the artists you’d like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We’d love to hear! Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.ukHELP SUPPORT THE SHOWIf you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :) DonateTAPE NOTES TEAMWill Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & EditorTim Adam-Smith - Executive ProducerWill Lyons - EditorGuy Nicholls - Production Assistant

Diplo, a renowned DJ and producer behind Major Lazer and Silk City, shares his remarkable journey from a challenging upbringing to global stardom. He discusses the importance of pursuing passion despite early doubts. The conversation explores the balance of creativity and market trends in music production, alongside the mental health challenges in the industry. Diplo also reflects on how parenthood has influenced his creativity and the significance of maintaining personal connections in the fast-paced music world.

Diplo, a renowned music producer and DJ, dives into a captivating discussion with Theo. They explore themes of cultural appropriation and the evolving hip-hop landscape. Diplo shares humorous anecdotes about personal struggles with ego and identity, and how his experiences in South Africa shaped his views on diversity. The duo laughs about diets, film soundtracks' emotional power, and even the absurdity of music biopics, while highlighting the need for genuine expression and innovative sounds in today's music scene.

Diplo, a renowned music producer and DJ, shares how a transformative trip to India at 19 shaped his independent spirit and discipline, crucial for his career. He recalls his experiences with running the LA marathon, highlighting the importance of camaraderie in physical pursuits. The conversation explores the joys and challenges of running, emphasizing its emotional benefits and community-building aspects. Diplo also discusses how embracing change has led to personal growth, showcasing the balance between discipline and spontaneity in life.