Tape Notes

John is joined by singer-songwriter and musician Laufey and producer Spencer Stewart to discuss how they wrote and recorded the album ‘A Matter Of Time’. Having performed on numerous national TV singing shows in her youth, Icelandic-Chinese artist Laufey released her first full-length album, ‘Everything I Know About Love’ in 2022. It was praised for seamlessly blending jazz influences with contemporary production. Her second album, ‘Bewitched’, continued this trend with its captivating jazz-pop ballads and earned her the 2024 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Laufey met producer Spencer Stewart when they were students at music college in the US and they have been collaborating ever since. Laufey’s much anticipated third album ‘A Matter of Time’ was released on 24th August 2025. Sitting down at Strongroom Studios in London, the trio discuss how creativity often involves breaking formal rules, why the voice is an underrated instrument, the importance of not being a snob when it comes to technology and their belief that when it sounds wrong in the studio, it might just be because you’ve hit on something really original!  Tracks discussed: Lover Girl; Tough Luck; Too Little, Too Late TAPE IT Thanks to our friends at Tape It for supporting the podcast. Visit ⁠tape.it/tapenotes⁠ or use the promo code TAPENOTES in the app to get 20% off. Recorded at ⁠Strongroom Studios⁠ LANDR  Get 20% off LANDR Distribution and Studio at ⁠landr.com/tapenotes⁠ MUSIVERSAL Skip the waitlist and get your discount⁠ HERE⁠ LISTEN to ⁠‘A Matter of Time’ here⁠ , Vingolf Recordings LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES   ⁠linktr.ee/tapenotes ⁠ ⁠Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective⁠ GEAR MENTIONS ⁠Neumann TLM103 ⁠Neumann U67 ⁠ ⁠Shure SM7B ⁠ ⁠Juno-60⁠ ⁠iZotope Ozone⁠ ⁠Echoplex⁠ ⁠Plank of wood⁠ OUR GEAR ⁠https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear⁠ HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW If you'd like to help support the show 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 DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram:⁠ @tapenotes⁠  Twitter:⁠ @tapenotes⁠  Facebook:⁠ @tapenotespodcast⁠   YouTube:⁠ Tape Notes Podcast⁠ Discord: ⁠Tape Notes⁠ Patreon:⁠ ⁠⁠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.uk⁠

Piers Aggett and Kesi Dryden, members of the British dance group Rudimental, share insights into their creative journey. They discuss the evolution of their sound across five albums, focusing on their latest work, 'RUDIM3NTAL.' The duo reveals how live performances influence their studio recordings and highlights their innovative use of sampling and collaborations. They delve into the process behind tracks like 'Chop Dem Down' and 'Thank You,' emphasizing the blend of inspiration from their roots and cutting-edge production techniques.

Joe Keery, known for his role in 'Stranger Things' and his music project Djo, teams up with Adam Thein, a talented producer and musician. They dive into the creative journey behind their acclaimed album ‘The Crux’. Topics range from the intricate songwriting process and the balance of Joe's acting career with music, to the integration of vintage sounds and modern production techniques. They also share personal stories about the evolution of tracks like 'Delete Ya' and 'Charlie's Garden', highlighting the joys and challenges of collaboration.

Join Josh Maney, known as Barry Can't Swim, a Scottish artist celebrated for his melodic dance tracks, and producer Ben Norris, aka O'Flynn, as they discuss their collaborative work on the album 'Loner.' They delve into the creative process, from sampling sounds found in unexpected places like an Indian restaurant to the balance of styles in tracks like 'Still Riding' and 'Kempton.' Discover their insights on navigating challenges in music production while maintaining creative integrity and exploring the intersection of personal inspiration and collaboration.

Lorde, the celebrated New Zealand singer-songwriter, teams up with American producer Jim-E Stack, known for his innovative collaborations. They delve into the making of Lorde's bold new album, ‘Virgin’, exploring themes of self-discovery and identity. The duo shares insights into their collaborative process, discussing how the lyrics and production inform each other. They also reveal unique production techniques, including crafting a special drum loop, and reflect on the organic evolution of tracks like 'Grown Woman' and 'Shapeshifter'.

Jamie xx, an influential English musician known for his work with The xx and his solo albums, dives into his creative journey for the album 'In Waves'. He shares insights on balancing analog synths with digital workflows, and how the pandemic inspired his music. The discussion covers his unique sampling techniques, the emotional depth behind tracks like 'Breather' and 'Daffodil', and the joys and challenges of collaboration in music production. Jamie also reflects on the vibrant sounds influencing his art, blending personal experiences with innovative soundscapes.

Dan Snaith, the talented electronic musician known as Caribou, shares insights into his album 'Suddenly,' discussing its deeply personal themes and innovative production techniques. He reveals how he distilled 900 ideas into a single cohesive work while reminiscing about his artistic journey. The conversation touches on serendipitous moments in the studio, the emotional depth of his songwriting, and unique soundscapes crafted using advanced tech. Listeners are treated to demos and stories behind tracks like 'Magpie' and 'Sister,' highlighting the fusion of nostalgia and innovation in his music.

Nicolas Godin, one half of the iconic French electronic duo Air, reflects on the creation of their legendary debut album, Moon Safari. He shares behind-the-scenes stories about tracks like 'Sexy Boy' and 'La Femme d’Argent', highlighting innovative techniques and emotional connections within the music. Godin discusses the magic of creative collaboration, the evolution of their sound at Abbey Road, and the influence of minimalist resources. He also touches on their 25th anniversary reimagination, blending nostalgia with fresh inspiration.

In this engaging conversation, d4vd, an American artist known for his viral hit 'Romantic Homicide', shares his journey from making music for Fortnite videos to releasing his debut album 'Withered'. He dives into the nuts and bolts of producing tracks on BandLab using just his phone, showcasing his DIY spirit. The discussion touches on the emotional depth of his music, including the themes in songs like 'You Left Me First', and highlights the importance of authenticity amid his rising fame.

Join Hollywood star and jazz musician Jeff Goldblum, along with musical director Alex Frank, as they discuss their creative journey with The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. They dive into the making of their album 'Still Blooming,' sharing anecdotes about spontaneous jam sessions and intricate arrangements. The duo reveals the magic behind blending jazz with pop vocals, their excitement for live performances, and the emotional depth of their music. Tune in for insights into their collaborative spirit and the joyful unpredictability of the creative process!