John links up with Snarky Puppy founder and band leader Michael League to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced the band’s latest record ‘Empire Central’, as well as works from Varijashree Venugopal and a new project, Ellipsis. Michael League is an American producer, multi-instrumentalist, and founder of jazz fusion ensemble Snarky Puppy. Now with a reputation as one of the most innovative bands of the 21st century, constantly pushing the boundaries of improvisation and the styles they draw from, Snarky Puppy’s 20 year back catalogue includes 16 albums, and five Grammy wins. Outside of the band, Michael has shared his production and writing talents on records from David Crosby, Becca Stevens, Varijashree Venugopal and many more.Speaking from his home studio in Spain, Michael digs into his production process, from crafting rough Logic demos and editing lengthy improvisations to blending global influences with Western jazz. He also shares the technical details of Snarky Puppy’s vast recording setup and treats us to a live demo of his current go-to, the Danelectro Sitar.Tracks discussed: Bet, Ranjani, ObbakosoTAPE ITThanks 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.MUSIVERSALSkip the waitlist and get your discount HERELISTEN to ‘Empire Central’ here.GroundUP MusicLISTEN to ‘Vari’ here.GroundUP MusicLINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  linktr.ee/tapenotes Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel CollectiveGEAR MENTIONSLauten Audio LS-208Lauten Audio Snare MicLauten Audio Atlantis FC-387Audio-Technica MicsDanelectro SitarF-Bass Hammertone 12-StringFender RhodesRoland Space-EchoEbowMoog BassLogic ProAvid ProToolsOUR GEARhttps://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgearHELP SUPPORT THE SHOWIf 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 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 NotesTo 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.ukTAPE NOTES TEAMJohn KennedyWill Brown Tim Adam-Smith Will Lyons Nico Varanese Guy Nicholls Jessica ClucasAli Lewis

John is joined by Oli Sykes and Lee Malia of Bring Me The Horizon, as well as producer Dan Lancaster, to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the band’s latest album ‘POST HUMAN: NeX GEn’.Bring Me the Horizon, formed in 2004 in Sheffield, evolved from deathcore to genre-blending innovators, incorporating electronics, classical, and pop influences. With seven studio albums, over 5 million records sold, and electrifying live shows, they’ve built a global fanbase and earned multiple Grammy nominations. Their latest release, ‘POST HUMAN: NeX GEn’, continues their evolution, produced by long-time collaborator Dan Lancaster.Catching up at Stongroom Studios, Oli, Lee and Dan talk us through the incredibly fast-paced process of bringing the album together, sharing the countless demos, crazy sound design, and secret details meticulously hidden within each track. Tracks discussed: Kool-Aid, Top 10 staTues tHat CriEd bloOd, DIg It, TAPE ITThanks 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.MUSIVERSALSkip the waitlist and get your discount HERELISTEN to ‘POST HUMAN: NeX GEn’ here.Sony Music EntertainmentLINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  linktr.ee/tapenotes Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel CollectiveGEAR MENTIONSElastiquePitch 2Soundtoys Little AlterBoyNative Instruments KontaktGetGood DrumsAntares AutotuneAudioMoversOutput ArcadeDJI LAV MicMoisesAvid ProToolsOUR GEARhttps://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgearHELP SUPPORT THE SHOWIf 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 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 NotesTo 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.ukTAPE NOTES TEAMJohn KennedyWill Brown Tim Adam-Smith Will Lyons Nico Varanese Guy Nicholls Jessica ClucasAli Lewis

John is joined by Lizzy McAlpine, and co-producer Mason Stoops and co-writer Taylor Mackall, to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Older (and Wiser)’.Lizzy McAlpine is a singer-songwriter and producer who first gained popularity by sharing covers on SoundCloud and YouTube. Her debut album, ‘Give Me a Minute’, arrived in 2020, however, it was her second album, ‘Five Seconds Flat’, that solidified her as a rising force, with the platinum-selling single ‘ceilings’ becoming a global hit. Her latest record, ‘Older’, blurs the lines between studio and stage, exploring themes of heartbreak and self-acceptance; recorded in LA, it was produced by Lizzy and Mason Stoops.Catching up at Miloco’s The Pool studio ahead of the London leg of their tour, Lizzy, Mason, and Taylor discuss their approach to writing the album—from Lizzy’s intimate, bedroom demos to their collaborative recording process that transformed it into a full band album.Tracks discussed: The Elevator, Pushing It Down and Praying, Force of NatureTAPE ITThanks 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.MUSIVERSALSkip the waitlist and get your discount HERELISTEN to ‘Older (and Wiser)’ here. RCA Records, Indigo Blue LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  linktr.ee/tapenotes Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel CollectiveGEAR MENTIONSBaldwin Fun MachineBaldwin Fun Machine (VST) Danelectro Bass VIAustin Hooks Projector AmpBenson Nathan Junior AmpUnivox U45B AmpEchoplex EP2 PedalChase Bliss Audio PedalsMellotronShure SM57Neumann U67Neumann U87OUR GEARhttps://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgearHELP SUPPORT THE SHOWIf 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 DATEFor behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on: Instagram: @tapenotes SubStack: Tape NotesFacebook: @tapenotespodcast  YouTube: Tape Notes PodcastDiscord: Tape NotesPatreon: Tape NotesTo 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.ukTAPE NOTES TEAMJohn KennedyWill Brown Tim Adam-Smith Will Lyons Nico Varanese Guy Nicholls Jessica ClucasAli Lewis

Charles Thompson, frontman of the influential band Pixies, and producer Tom Dalgety, known for his work with notable bands, share an insider's look at creating their latest album, 'The Night The Zombies Came.' They discuss behind-the-scenes stories, including the last-minute addition to the tracklist and how nature inspired their songwriting. The duo explores unique production techniques, the emotional journey of their songs, and the unpredictable yet rewarding nature of collaboration, all while sharing humorous anecdotes that showcase their creative process.

Jack Patterson and Grace Chatto of Clean Bandit dive into their creative journey behind recent hits like 'Symphony' and 'Cry Baby.' They explore how TikTok has reshaped the music landscape, giving older songs new life. The duo shares insights on their evolving songwriting process, the significance of collaboration, and the emotional depth in their work, reflecting on their experiences from earlier tracks to their latest releases featuring diverse influences. Their discussion highlights modern music's blend of nostalgia and innovation in today's soundscape.

Simon Green, known as Bonobo, is an acclaimed English musician and DJ celebrated for his smooth Trip Hop tracks. In this engaging conversation, he dives into his creative process and the evolution of his sound. He shares insights into crafting unique drum patterns and the use of innovative tools like Ableton and modular synthesis. Bonobo discusses his latest single, 'Expander,' and reflects on the inspiration behind 'Sapien' during lockdown. Listeners will also discover his journey with sampling and the impact of travel on his music.

Rex Orange County, an English singer-songwriter known for his genre-blending hits, joins producers Teo Halm and Jim Reed to discuss the creative process behind his new album, 'The Alexander Technique.' They share insights on innovative collaborations and the use of mobile apps for sound design. The trio reflects on the emotional journeys captured in songs like '2008' and 'The Table,' while highlighting the spontaneity and trust that define their artistic chemistry. Expect fascinating discussions on experimenting with vocals and recording techniques.

Jack Patterson and Grace Chatto of Clean Bandit share their journey of blending classical music with pop. They dive into the creation of their Grammy-winning hit 'Rather Be' and the collaborative spirit that fuels their songwriting. The duo recounts memorable moments, like composing while riding the Tube and an intense vocal session that tested their limits. Additionally, they discuss the unique synth sounds that define their tracks and the transformative power of joyful melodies on their careers.

In this episode, A. G. Cook, a pioneer of hyper pop and founder of the label PC Music, shares insights into his new album, 'Britpop.' He discusses the album's innovative three-disc structure, blending pop, experimental sounds, and emotional depth. Cook dives into the creative processes behind standout tracks like 'Heartache' and 'Lucifer,' revealing intricate production techniques and his approach to collaboration with artists like Charli XCX. Listeners gain a unique perspective on his journey from traditional music to digital innovation.

Sam Shepard, known as Floating Points, is a renowned electronic music artist and producer. In this engaging discussion, he shares insights on his creating process for the album 'Crush', revealing how live performance and classical influences shape his music. He dives into the making of tracks like 'Last Bloom' and 'Anasik Modula', emphasizing experimentation with various synthesizers. Their conversation touches on the blend of emotional depth and technical skill in contemporary music, showcasing his unique approach to soundscapes and musical creation.