Tape Notes

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!

Porter Robinson, an acclaimed American producer and DJ known for his unique blend of pop punk and hyper-pop influences, shares insights on his latest album, ‘SMILE! :D’. He discusses how his childhood guitar journey reshaped his songwriting, alongside the nostalgia-tinged inspirations from tracks like Coldplay's. Porter reveals the intricate process behind his songs, including the collaborative effort on 'Is There Really No Happiness' and explores the evolution of his live performance setup, emphasizing authenticity and emotional depth in his music.

We’ve been having a look back through the Tape Notes archive to bring back some of our favourite early episodes that you may have missed. This selection is our conversation from Summer 2020, with Josh Davis, better know as DJ Shadow.EPISODE NOTESIn this episode, John ventures over to Wendy House Studios to catch up with hip-hip royalty Josh Davis AKA DJ Shadow, to talk through how he recorded and produced his latest album ‘Our Pathetic Age’ and his chart-topping album ‘The Mountain Will Fall’.  Josh gives us a full insight in to his largest most diverse project yet, breaking down his writing process from the moment he randomly dips in to his vast record collection for inspiration, to discovering unlikely source material such as an abandoned record collection rescued from a friend of his father's. We get to hear the original samples that form the basis of some of his biggest hits as well as the raw vocal stems of Nas and Pharoahe Monch rapping at each other from different studios.  Listen to find out about Josh’s meticulous sample editing process, what mixing mistake meant he had to sneakily rerelease a track, and why he had to gate-crash a Run the Jewels gig. Tracks discussed: Nobody Speak, Rocket Fuel, Drone WarfareTAPE ITThanks to our partners at TapeIt! Click here for 20% off TapeIt Pro.TRINITY LABAN Find out more about Trinity Laban's Songwriting MA here. LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES https://linktr.ee/tapenotes Listen to 'Our Pathetic Age' here.Listen to 'The Mountain Will Fall' here.'Our Pathetic Age' and 'The Mountain Will Fall' - Mass Appeal/Reconstruction Productions, Inc. Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective  GEAR MENTIONSAkai MPC SamplerPioneer PLX 1000Sonos SpeakerTechnics SL-1200Technics SL-1210ProToolsAbleton OUR 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

Join Olly Alexander, the charismatic frontman of Years & Years and LGBTQ+ activist, alongside acclaimed producer Danny L Harle, known for his work with pop stars like Charli XCX. They dive into the creative journey behind Olly's album 'Polari,' exploring the spontaneous songwriting process and the emotional depth of tracks like 'Whisper in the Waves' and 'Cupid's Bow.' Olly reflects on the lyrical significance of 'Make Me A Man,' while Danny shares insights on optimizing creative flow, collaboration, and the fascinating cultural roots of Polari.

Liam Ivory and Chris Davids, the creative duo behind Maribou State, delve into their latest album, ‘Hallucinating Love’. They share fascinating insights on immersive writing retreats that inspired their unique sound. The duo discusses the challenge of producing over 25 demos for a single track and the innovative 'sound harvest' sessions where they create custom samples from everyday objects. Additionally, they reflect on balancing self-care with creativity and the importance of community in their music-making process.

RÜFÜS DU SOL, the acclaimed Australian indie-dance trio who have captivated global audiences, join to share insights on their latest album, 'Inhale / Exhale.' They delve into their unique creative process, highlighting the importance of collaboration and connection. The band discusses the evolution of tracks like 'Pressure' and 'Fire / Desire,' as well as innovative techniques such as the use of breathwork for enhancing performances. Their exploration of soundscapes and conceptual depth illuminates their artistic journey, blending emotion and experimentation.