Tape Notes

In this episode, John links up with Lykke Li and producer Bjorn Yttling to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced Lykke’s latest album ‘EYEYE’.Digging into the truly multi-dimensional record, Lykke and Bjorn look back on their process of creating the sonic world in which the tracks all live, from finding different angles to songs by playing them on different instruments, to the breakthrough moments in the studio when an idea just unlocks.Alongside sharing thoughts on feeling the beat and what makes a very Swedish sounding riff, the conversation turns to Lykke’s start in music, the star quality she possessed that drew Bjorn to her despite some vocal and songwriting flaws, and the constant resistance she faces as an artist.Listen to why condoms can be helpful tools when micing up, what headphone-phobia does to your recordings, and how to truly tap into the divine within music.Tracks discussed: OVER, CAROUSEL, u&i Listen to ‘EYEYE’ here.'EYEYE' - Play It Again Sam/Crush Music Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES https://linktr.ee/tapenotes  GEAR MENTIONSSoundtoys MicroshiftShure SM58AKG D190eSoma Synths The PipeCasio 101Moog RogueCrumar String SynthLevin GuitarsHagstrom AmpsRoland Amp (Battery Operated) 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 :) DonateKEEP 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  TAPE NOTES TEAMWill Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & EditorTim Adam-Smith - Executive ProducerWill Lyons - EditorHerbie Elton-Rowley - VideographerGeorge Durston - Production AssistantNathan Hetherington - PRRebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing 

In this episode, John is back at Spitfire Audio to catch up with Yannis and Jimmy of Foals, to discuss how they wrote, recorded and produced their new album ‘Life Is Yours’.Giving us a fascinating insight into their process and how they adapted it for their current 3 piece line up, the pair look back on how they kept their creativity organic and spontaneous, as well as the impact of each new producer along the way.With writing-room demos and plenty of stories from the studio, we’re given a full rundown of the elements that went into shaping the band’s updated sound, from the list of keywords they wrote before even playing a note through to the almost hour-long jams. Listen to find out how they sneak discarded ideas back in to the lives show, why it’s so important for the groove of a song to be set before anything else, and what producers often do to keep their production secrets under wraps.Tracks discussed: Wild Green, 2001 Listen to ‘Life Is Yours’ here‘Life Is Yours’- Warner Music UKIntro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES https://linktr.ee/tapenotes   GEAR MENTIONSElectro Harmonix POG PedalPrometheus DLX Resonant FilterStrymon PedalRoland Jupiter 4Korg MinilogueSequential MophoTravis Bean Guitars Gibson Hollowbody BassSelmer Zodiac AmpLeslie Rotary SpeakerReaper 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 KEEP UP TO DATEFor behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on: Instagram: @tapenotes Twitter: @tapenotes YouTube: Tape Notes PodcastFacebook: @tapenotespodcast  Discord: 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  TAPE NOTES TEAMWill Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & EditorTim Adam-Smith - Executive ProducerWill Lyons - EditorHerbie Elton-Rowley - VideographerGeorge Durston - AssistantNathan Hetherington - PRRebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing 

In this episode, John heads over to Spitfire Audio to chat with Mahalia and producer JD. Reid about how they wrote, recorded and produced the EP ‘Letter To Ur Ex’.Looking back on their early writing sessions together, the pair reflect on their very first meeting and the approach they took to get the best out of one another. From scatting line after line over a beat and jamming ideas until something just sticks, to the promise of food as a reward for finishing each section of a song.Alongside sharing their thoughts on blending the worlds of hip-hop and R&B, we’re treated to a production deep dive, looking at the intricate relationships between the parts that make up a beat and the small yet essential ingredients that add so much to each track in such subtle ways.Listen to find out why Mahalia sometimes sings with a man’s voice, what moments just scream out for a Talk Box, and why it’s always important to look at a track as more than just an instrumental and vocal. Tracks discussed: Letter To Ur N(ex)t, Whatever Simon Says, In The Club Listen to ‘Letter To Ur Ex’ here.‘Letter To Ur Ex’ - Warner Music UK Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES https://linktr.ee/tapenotes  GEAR MENTIONSWavesfactory Cassette Tape SaturationGoodhertz LossySpectrasonics OmnisphereArturia CS80Arturia MellotronArturia Juno Chorus Antares AutotuneKeyscape RhodesUAD Empirical Labs DistressorUAD Empirical Labs PultecUniversal Audio Apollo Twin (JD’s Interface)Native Instruments Rickenbacker BassNative Instruments ReaktorNative Instruments KontaktValhalla ReverbsValhalla ShimmerSpitfire StringsSpitfire AudioTalk BoxMicroKorgShure SM7BSpliceLogic 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 KEEP UP TO DATEFor behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on: Instagram: @tapenotes Twitter: @tapenotes YouTube: Tape Notes PodcastFacebook: @tapenotespodcast Discord: 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  TAPE NOTES TEAMWill Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & EditorTim Adam-Smith - Executive ProducerWill Lyons - EditorHerbie Elton-Rowley - VideographerGeorge Durston - AssistantNathan Hetherington - PRRebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing 

In this episode, John links up with Chaz Bear, the mind behind Toro y Moi, to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘MAHAL’.Digging into jam sessions dating back to 2015 with all of the original recordings to hand, Chaz gives us the lowdown on how his musical ideas formulate, and the simple yet impactful journey they undertake to arrive as fully fleshed out tracks.Reflecting on life as an all-round creative, Chaz looks back on how he got started in music, from the early days using his parent's karaoke machine, to the importance of community and collaboration in today's music world.Listen to find out what in The Godfather had such a huge influence on a song, why it’s so difficult to create completely emotionless performances, and how to fearlessly explore ideas in your music.Tracks discussed: Déjà Vu, Magazine, The Loop Listen to ‘MAHAL’ here.‘MAHAL’ - Dead Oceans Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES https://linktr.ee/tapenotes  GEAR MENTIONSShure SM7BShure SM57Neumann MicsAPI Channel StripHofner BassReasonAbletonFL StudioFostex MultitrackerWurlitzer Piano 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 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  TAPE NOTES TEAMWill Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & EditorTim Adam-Smith - Executive ProducerWill Lyons - EditorHerbie Elton-Rowley - VideographerGeorge Durston - AssistantNathan Hetherington - PRRebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing 

Thanks to SoundBetter for supporting this episode of Tape Notes.SoundBetter is the world's leading music production talent marketplace, giving you access to the best mixing & mastering engineers, singers, songwriters, producers, and studio musicians in the industry. You can work with Billie Eilish's drummer, U2's mix engineer, or hire the topliners that wrote on the latest BTS record, these pros are keen to work with Indy artists.Head to SoundBetter.com to find out more.In this episode, John links up with Harley Streten, better known as Flume, to talk through how he wrote, recorded and produced the four opening tracks from his mixtape and three albums - ‘Flume’, ‘Skin’, ‘Hi This Is Flume’ and ‘Palaces’.Digging out files from sessions dating back to his early adventures travelling around Europe, Harley gives us a rundown on some of the key parts of his life in music and how his approach to producing has changed over the years. From his early days using cereal box software to his approach to fixing writer’s block and the mental strain of life in music.As well as the long list of failed experiments that never made the final tracks, we’re given a full tour of the painstaking tweaks and subtle changes Harley teases into his work to humanise a production.Listen to find out what question Harley always asks when visiting synth stores, why you shouldn’t be afraid to rip off other people, and what some of the key elements to consider are when navigating success.Tracks discussed: Sintra, Helix, Hi This Is Flume, Highest Building Listen to ‘Palaces’ here. Listen to ‘Skin’ here.Listen to ‘Flume’ here.Listen to ‘Hi This Is Flume’ here.Future Classic, Transgressive Records Ltd Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES https://linktr.ee/tapenotes  GEAR MENTIONSSonic Charge SynplantVengeance Vocal PackNative Instruments Razor SynthNative Instruments ReaktorElektron MonomachineReasonFL StudioCubaseAbleton 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 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  TAPE NOTES TEAMWill Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & EditorTim Adam-Smith - Executive ProducerWill Lyons - EditorHerbie Elton-Rowley - VideographerGeorge Durston - Production AssistantNathan Hetherington - PRRebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing 

Thanks to SoundBetter for supporting this episode of Tape Notes.SoundBetter is the world's leading music production talent marketplace, giving you access to the best mixing & mastering engineers, singers, songwriters, producers, and studio musicians in the industry. You can work with Billie Eilish's drummer, U2's mix engineer, or hire the topliners that wrote on the latest BTS record, these pros are keen to work with Indy artists.Head to SoundBetter.com to find out more.In this episode, John heads to Miloco’s The Yard Studios to catch up with The Chainsmokers, Alex and Drew, talking through how they wrote, recorded and produced their latest album ‘So Far, So Good’.Giving us a glimpse into their Hawaii writing sessions and drunken nights in the studio, the duo share the initial sparks and early ideas (both good and not so good) that developed into the final tracks. As well as a beat building masterclass, creating drum patterns that no one would ever think up, the pair reflect on removing any pressure from their writing process and the impact it had on their creativity.Listen to find out how to get away with recycling beats from different songs, why sometimes it pays to be the least organised producer in the game, and what the best question to ask yourself is in order to handle almost every situation.Tracks discussed: If You’re Serious, iPad, I Love U Listen to ‘So Far, So Good’ here.‘So Far, So Good’ - Disruptor Records/Columbia Records Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective  LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES https://linktr.ee/tapenotes  GEAR MENTIONSArturia Analogue LabArturia PluginsAntares Auto-Tune iZotope Trash 2Output REVOutput EXHALEOutput SIGNALSoundtoys AlterBoyU-He DivaXfer LFO ToolZynaptiq PitchmapNative Instrument FM8 SynthApogee Duet InterfaceApogee Symphony InterfaceNeumann MicsTelefunken MicsGibson Les PaulYamaha Baby Grand PianoMason Hamlin PianoNord KeyboardsSteinway Pianos 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 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  TAPE NOTES TEAMWill Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & EditorTim Adam-Smith - Executive ProducerWill Lyons - EditorHerbie Elton-Rowley - VideographerSam Nahirny - Photographer and Camera AssistantGeorge Durston - Production AssistantNathan Hetherington - PRRebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing 

In this episode, John heads to Bristol to chat with Yard Act’s James, Sam and Ryan along with producer Ali Chant about how their debut album ‘The Overload’ was written, recorded and produced.Catching up after a big night on the Bristol stop of their tour, the band reflect on their process of bringing the album together, from solitary lockdown demos and recording over WhatsApp videos, to learning how to play the drums and the last minute additions after the tracks had been mastered.Sharing their experience of transforming what started as a side project into a successful band, we hear stories of giving, receiving and dealing with criticism, the prompts that encouraged several turning points in their writing style and the dangers of overthinking when working on individual parts.Listen to find out how to write vocals that are suitable for the neighbours, why it’s important to know the difference between congas and bongos, and what in songwriting is not too dissimilar to drawing a monster.Tracks discussed: The Overload, Land Of The Blind, 100% Endurance Listen to ‘The Overload’ here.‘The Overload’ - Island Records, Universal Music Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES https://linktr.ee/tapenotes  GEAR MENTIONSKNAS Ekdahl Moisturizer Spring ReverbRoland TR8 Drum MachineVox Continental KeyboardWhurlitzer Philicorda OrganAMS Reverb Traynor Bass AmpG&L ASAT GuitarsFender JazzmasterFender Telecaster 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 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  TAPE NOTES TEAMWill Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & EditorTim Adam-Smith - Executive ProducerWill Lyons - EditorHerbie Elton-Rowley - VideographerNathan Hetherington - PRRebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing 

In this episode, John is joined by Dave, Donny and Jung from Gang of Youths to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the band’s new album ‘Angel In Realtime’.Taking us on a global tour, the trio guides us through the wealth of sounds, people and places that had such a huge influence on the album, from London street ambience and the goings-on outside their studio window, to Pacific Island chants and the extraordinary samples that opened up a whole new sonic world for them.Alongside a look into their musical melting pot, we hear thoughts on criticism, hate and jealousy within music, as well as their attitudes towards cheesiness and embracing who you are and what you love. Listen to find out how to make a beat from a box of sultanas, why you sometimes might mistake Dave’s voice for a stoned Michael Buble, and how to create the illusion of something being simple - while still throwing 200 layers of tracks at it. Tracks discussed: You In Everything, Spirit Boy, Hand of God, Goal of the Century  Listen to ‘Angel In Realtime’ here.‘Angel In Realtime’ - Warner Music UK, Mosy Music LLP Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES https://linktr.ee/tapenotes  GEAR MENTIONSShure SM7BShure SM57Shure SM58AKG MicsAEA R88 MicRode MicSony C37FET 47 MicRode Pin MicWarm AudioSpitfire Audio Plugins Spitfire Audio David FanshaweNative Instruments Una CordaNative Instruments KontaktUniversal Audio 6176Universal Audio PluginsSoundtoys Devil-LocSoundtoys PluginsIzotope Vocal Synth National Reso-Phonic GuitarsSpliceLogic 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 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  TAPE NOTES TEAMWill Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & EditorTim Adam-Smith - Executive ProducerWill Lyons - EditorRebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing Nathan Hetherington - PRAlex Nixon - Assistant

In this episode, John ventures over to Alt-J’s band studio to chat with Joe, Gus and producer Charlie Andrew about how they wrote, recorded and produced their new album ‘The Dream’.Unearthing early demos and some very special voice notes, the trio look back on forming the sonic world encapsulated within the record, reflecting on the importance of their individual roles within the writing process along with the fundamental stories behind each track.From serendipitous church bells to missions of sneaking in old album references, we hear about the intricacies of the kit key to the band’s sound, as well as the little details within each track you won't discover on a first listen.Listen to find out why Mexican Coke tastes better than American Coke, what a sausage bassoon is, and how to get the best results when recording next to a dance class and a polling station.Tracks discussed: Bane, The Actor, Get Better Listen to ‘The Dream’ here.‘The Dream’ - Infectious Music, BMG Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES https://linktr.ee/tapenotes  GEAR MENTIONSVox AC30Electro Harmonix POG PedalCasio CasiotoneLarrivee PO-5Roland RE-20 Space EchoNeumann U87Neumann TLM 103 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 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  TAPE NOTES TEAMWill Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & EditorTim Adam-Smith - Executive ProducerWill Lyons - EditorRebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing Nathan Hetherington - PRAlex Nixon - Assistant

In this episode, John heads over to Bastille’s West London HQ to catch up with Dan Smith and producer Mark Crew about how the band wrote, recorded and produced their latest album ‘Give Me The Future’.Having written most of the tracks in remote lockdown sessions, Dan takes us all the way back through his initial ideas and the random voice notes of inspiration that came to him at the most unexpected times.As well as sharing their thoughts on the challenges that come with writing a sci-fi concept album and blending them with the usual Bastille ‘bread and butter’, the pair pull apart the intricate production techniques they used in an attempt to recreate the musical characteristics of the 80s.Listen to find out how the band’s touring crew ended up recording BVs, what is and isn’t considered tasteful when mixing in Dolby Atmos, and what genres are generally pretty dangerous to let a bassist loose on. Tracks discussed: Thelma + Louise, Back To The Future, Future Holds LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES https://linktr.ee/tapenotes  Listen to ‘Give Me The Future’ here.‘Give Me The Future’ - EMI/Virgin Records Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective GEAR MENTIONSTeenage Engineering OP1LinnDrum Roland Juno MoogAntares Auto-TuneAntares Harmony EngineSoundtoys Alter BoySugar Bytes Effectrix PluginTAL-Chorus-LXUniversal Audio LA-610Telefunken AK-47Dolby AtmosSpliceLogic 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 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  TAPE NOTES TEAMWill Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & EditorTim Adam-Smith - Executive ProducerWill Lyons - EditorRebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing Nathan Hetherington - PRAlex Nixon - Assistant