Tape Notes

In a city spanning episode, John catches up with Friendly Fires along with super star producer Mark Ralph (Tom Walker, Clean Bandit, Years & Years) at Iguana Studios and Mark’s Studio, Club Ralph, to talk about how they recorded and produced the album 'Inflorescent'. The boys explore everything from what survived in the demos recorded in Ed’s mum’s house, to how blending recording techniques with synths and drum machines helped them create their joyful blend of house and funk. Hear how tracking each individual drum and ‘talent boosting’ your own performances is never a bad thing, and how Rick Astley and Barry White left their mark the record. Tracks discussed: Love Like Waves, Can’t Wait Forever, Almost Midnight  LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES https://linktr.ee/tapenotes Listen to 'Inflorescent' here.'Inflorescent' - Friendly Fires, Polydor Records, Universal Music Operations LimitedIntro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective  GEAR MENTIONS ARP OdysseyARP 2600CodeKnobs Prophet Editor SoftwareColes 4038 Ribbon MicElectro-Voice RE20Kemper Profiler RackKorg MS-20Moog Model DOberheim DMX Drum MachinePeavey T-40 BassRob Papen Sub Boom Bass PluginRoland JD-800Roland TR-808Roland TR-09 Roland TR-909Roland SH-101Roland Juno 60Scaler PluginSequential Prophet 6Sequential Prophet 5Sennheiser MD-421Sherman Rodec Restyler FilterSimmons Drum MachineSpectrasonics OmnisphereSSLXfer CthulhuLogic Pro OUR GEARhttps://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear  HELP 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): Donate Follow us on Social Media to keep up to date with the latest episodes and submit questions:InstagramFacebookTwitter Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk 

Returning for another season, John is joined by electronic music producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Alex Crossan A.K.A Mura Masa.Catching up at Iguana Studios, Alex invites us behind the curtain and reveals how his latest album R.Y.C was recorded and produced. We get to hear intimate track breakdowns - including a brilliant dive into the early takes of the Slowthai collaboration ‘Deal Wiv It’ - plus copious amounts of philosophical musings on what it takes to write a Mura Masa track and music production in general.Listen to find out why a Patrick Fitzgerald sample worked it’s way into ‘Deal Wiv It’, when you really know a track is finished, and why Alex’s girlfriend is a wise lady. Tracks discussed: Deal Wiv It, Live Like We’re Dancing, Teenage Headache Dreams. LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES https://linktr.ee/tapenotes  Listen to 'R.Y.C.' here.'R.Y.C.' - Anchor Point Records, Polydor Records, Universal Music Operations LimitedIntro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective  GEAR MENTIONSSoundtoys Little PlateGoodhertz Wow ControlSequential ProphetKorg MS-20Kemper Profiler RackLine 6 PedalsSoyuz 017 Tube MicrophoneRhodesAbleton OUR GEARhttps://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear  HELP 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): Donate Follow us on Social Media to keep up to date with the latest episodes and submit questions:InstagramFacebookTwitter Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk 

In this episode we take a look back at some of the best bits from season 3. If you haven't heard every episode from the last season, this is a good way to introduce yourself to some of the artists and producers we've had on, hearing their stories, tips and general philosophy on writing and recording. Have a listen, you never know what you might learn! You'll hear highlights from:Ibeyi & Richard Russel (Live from Miloco Studios)Kate Tempest & Dan CareyNitin SawhneyFloating PointsTune-YardsJamie LidellCold War Kids & Lars StalforsThe Lumineers & Simone FeliceEasy Life & Rob Milton (Live at Latitude Festival) LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES https://linktr.ee/tapenotes  Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective  OUR GEARhttps://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear HELP 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): Donate Follow us on Social Media to keep up to date with the latest episodes and submit questions:InstagramFacebookTwitter Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk  

Back in July we were invited to Latitude Festival to take part in their podcast stage. In this live recording, we caught up with Murray from Easy Life and Rob Milton to talk about how they write and record music together.After a late entrance from Murray (waylaid somewhere on site!) the boys discuss their working relationship and what it takes to create an Easy Life tune.We learn how the boys ended up working together from unlikely beginnings, why it’s crucial to ‘get it down’ when melodies are flowing, and why Murray maybe isn’t as good at the trumpet as he once thought.Tracks Discussed: Pockets, Earth LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES https://linktr.ee/tapenotes  Listen to 'Pockets' here.Listen to 'Earth' here.'Pockets' & 'Earth' - Easy Co Limited, Island Records, Universal Music Operations LimitedIntro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective GEAR MENTIONSNord KeyboardsShure SM7BLogic Pro OUR GEARhttps://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear  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 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.uk  HELP 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 :) Donate

Simone Felice, producer of the album III by The Lumineers, joins the podcast to discuss the recording and production process. They delve into the creative use of a cracked piano soundboard and the genesis of the song 'Gloria'. They also explore finding distinctness in songs, capturing raw energy, and refining and balancing elements. The hosts discuss the inspiration behind 'Leader of the Landslide' and the obsession with lyrics. They touch on creating the album, the importance of simplicity and poetry in music, and their favorite plugins and equipment.

In this episode John straddles the pond and catches up with Nathan from Cold War Kids and producer Lars Stalfors to talk about how the album New Age Norms 1 was recorded and produced. Speaking from a studio in North Hollywood the pair discuss how the album was brought to life shining a light on their writing process and revealing the craft and philosophy behind a Cold War Kids track. Listen to find out why Nathan can only play something once when recording, how an accident with Pro Tools inspired the intro to Dirt In My Eyes, and what helps Lars sleep at night. Tracks Discussed: Complainer, Dirt In My Eyes, Beyond The Pale  LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES https://linktr.ee/tapenotes  Listen to 'New Age Norms 1' here.'New Age Norms 1' - CWKTWO Corp. u AWAL RecordingsIntro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective  GEAR MENTIONSProTools X-Form PluginAmpeg FliptopAmpeg B-15 AmpEarthquaker DispatchFarfisaFender Vintage Super Reverb Line 6 PedalsMellotronMoog Sub-37Minimoog VoyagerNative Instruments Guitar RigNord KeyboardsShure SM57Silvertone GuitarVox AmpsWaves SSL Compressor Yamaha CP-80 OUR GEARhttps://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear  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 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.uk  HELP 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 :) Donate

In this episode John links up with producer/musician & podcaster Jamie Lidell in his Nashville studio to talk about how he records and produces his music. Dusting off his old G4 mac, Jamie delves into the archives and revisits some classics from the albums Multiply and Jim in addition to some of his more recent work. We get to hear fascinating track breakdowns revealing the techniques and methods he uses when writing and recording. Listen to hear why Jamie’s music is influenced heavily by working with his friends, how the falling of the Berlin wall landed him a special microphone, and how Another Day transformed from a whiskey fuelled experiment to a sunny upbeat toe-tapper, all thanks to some late night carrot chopping. Tracks discussed: Multiply, Another Day, When I come Back Around, A Rose.  LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES https://linktr.ee/tapenotes  Listen to 'Multiply' here.Listen to 'Jim' here.Listen to 'Building a Beginning' here.'Multiply' & 'Jim' - Warp Records'Building A Beginning' - Jamie Lidderdale Records Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective  GEAR MENTIONSMax MSPCubaseLogic ProAkai MPC SamplerAKG D12Audio Ease AltiverbAudio-Technica MicsFarfisa Marshall Time ModulatorNeumann M269Roland Jupiter 6Boss Delay PedalRME Telefunken V72 PreampTelefunken M15 Tape Machine UAD Capitol Chambers Plugin OUR GEARhttps://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear  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 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.uk  HELP 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 :) Donate

In this episode John links up with Merrill and Nate from Tune-Yards to talk about how they recorded and produced the soundtrack to Sorry To Bother You and also dive into a classic from the TY back-catalogue. Speaking from the other side of the pond Merrill and Nate dig into 3 tracks they scored for the Boots Riley directorial debut, exploring the methods and techniques they used whilst recording and discuss how this differs from their usual writing process. We also revisit the Tune-Yards favourite Gangsta, hearing of its humble beginnings in front of an audience in Germany to a full track breakdown. Listen to find out how Merrill makes her yodel loops, how Walkman’s and Telephone’s left their mark on Gangsta, and whether or not we find out what the band's undercover pseudonym is when they want to play anonymously. Tracks discussed: Gangsta, SIGNS (Detroit's Theme), Revealed, Steve Lift’s Party LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES https://linktr.ee/tapenotes  Listen to 'WHOKILL' here. Listen to 'Sorry To Bother You' here.'WHOKILL' & 'Sorry To Bother You' - 4AD LtdIntro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective  GEAR MENTIONSProToolsCubaseBlue Baby Bottle MicEmpirical Labs DistressorFender P BassLexicon PCM 41 DelayRoland TR-808Roland SPD Sample PadRoland SP-404 SamplerBoss RC-1 Looping PedalSequential Prophet 6Sony WalkmanSoundtoys DecapitatorTech 21 SansAmp Valhalla VintageVerb OUR GEARhttps://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear  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 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.uk  HELP 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 :) Donate

In this episode John heads to EMS4 studios in Shoreditch to chat with Floating Points a.k.a Sam Shepherd, about how he recorded and produced his latest release, Crush. Talking from deep within Sam’s musical laboratory, we peer behind the curtain and find out how Floating Points music is created and crafted, pulling apart some of the tracks from his second album along the way. We get to hear how live performance and classical music are a serious influence in his writing process in addition to experimenting with the impressive number of synths he’s collected over the years. Geekery is in abundance in this episode. Listen to find out why space was scant in Sam’s student bedroom, who sick Anna actually is and why sometimes all you need is a Yamaha Reface CS in your backpack. Tracks discussed: Last Bloom, Annasickmodualr, Bias. LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES https://linktr.ee/tapenotes  Listen to 'Crush' here.'Crush' - Pluto Records, Ninja Tune.Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective  GEAR MENTIONSLogic ProAbletonSibeliusAkai S950 SamplerAPI Desk ARP 2600ARP Rhodes ChromaBuchla SynthKorg Volca Beats Marshall Time ModulatorMAM ADX1Dunlop MXR FlangerNeve Preamps Publison Infernal Machine Multi-Effects ProcessorRoland EV-5 Expression Pedal Yamaha CS-70Yamaha Reface CS OUR GEARhttps://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear  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 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.uk  HELP 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 :) Donate

In this episode John heads to the Dairy studios to talk with composer/musician/producer Nitin Sawhney about how he recorded and produced the album Beyond Skin. In celebration of 20 years since its release, Nitin dusts off the original Logic 4 sessions and gives a fascinating account of how this classic album, most of which was recorded in his bedroom in Tooting, was brought to life. We not only get to hear some of the tracks broken down in detail but are also treated to live demonstrations of some of the traditional Indian compositional techniques used throughout the album. Listen to find out why an sm58 is pretty much all you need to record an album, how those mind boggling vocals in The Conference were created, and why Nitin’s guitar is his favourite piece of kit. Tracks discussed: Homelands, Serpents, Immigrant, Letting Go, The Conference LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES https://linktr.ee/tapenotes  Listen to 'Beyond Skin' here.'Beyond Skin' - Outcaste Records LtdIntro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective  GEAR MENTIONSLogic ProStaff Pad AppAkai MPC SamplerFostex DMT8 Recorder GEM S2 KeyboardShure SM58Yamaha Pro-Mix 01 Yamaha AN1X Synth OUR GEARhttps://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear  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 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.uk  HELP 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 :) Donate