Tape Notes In The Woods
-
- Music
-
Tape Notes is a podcast about the art and craft of music production. Hosted by John Kennedy, each episode reunites an artist and producer to talk about the highlights of their collaboration in the studio. Their conversations lift the lid on every stage of the creative process, from kindling the first spark of a song idea, through decisions on style and instrumentation, to finessing the final product. Full of fascinating anecdotes, the conversations also feature early demo versions and stems from the original session recordings. The result is a unique insight into the working methods of some of the most innovative and exciting talents in music.
-
Reissue | TN:16 Alt-J & Charlie Andrew
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 with Alt-J’s Joe and Gus, along with producer Charlie Andrew, recorded back in February 2019.
EPISODE NOTES
In this episode John is joined by Gus Unger-Hamilton and Joe Newman from Alt-J, and producer Charlie Andrew to talk about how they recorded and produced the album 'RELAXER'.
The trio give a fascinating account of the thought processes and production techniques used in the recording of RELAXER.
Hear how a friend's pavlovian response to the smell of burning wood, the Gus whistle test, and swearing at an old school master all left their mark on the band's third album.
Tracks discussed: 3WW, House of the Rising Sun, Pleader
LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES
Listen to 'RELAXER' here.
'RELAXER' - alt-J, Infectious Music Ltd., a BMG Company
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective
GEAR MENTIONS
Akai MPC Sampler
Melodyne
Moog
Roland Juno 60
Soundtoys Echoboy
Soundtoys Decapitator
Teenage Engineering OP1
UAD Plugins
Waves Plugins
Ableton
OUR GEAR
https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear
HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW
If 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
Or 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
TAPE NOTES TEAM
Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor
Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer
Will Lyons - Editor
Nico Varanese - Videographer, Editor
Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant
Jessica Clucas - Production Assistant
Katie-Louise Buxton - Production Assistant
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
TN:132 Jacob Collier
In this episode, John sits down with singer and multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier, delving into the creative process behind his album ‘Djesse Vol. 4,’ the concluding instalment in his four-part ‘Djesse’ album series.
Jacob first shot to fame in 2013 when videos of his complex vocal arrangements went viral on YouTube. Three years later, he released his debut album ‘In My Room’, written and recorded entirely from his family home. In 2018, Jacob set to work on Djesse, a four-volume, 50-song, album series featuring collaborations with artists around the world, which to date has earned him 6 Grammy nominations.
Throughout the conversation, Jacob shares his original demos and discusses his approach to fusing such a plethora of musical genres, from rap and gospel, to dance and Kpop. He also discusses the collaborations that shaped the album, with artists including Chris Martin, Lindsay Loomis, and Willow Smith, as well as his audiences from live shows around the world.
Tracks discussed: Over You, 100,000 Voices, Cinnamon Crush
LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES
linktr.ee/tapenotes
Listen to ‘Djesse Vol. 4’ here .
Hajanga Records, Interscope Records/Decca, Universal Music Operations Limited
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective
GEAR MENTIONS
Little Alterboy
Oek Sound Soothe
Xfer LFO Tool
Gladiator Synth
AKG C414
Neumann U87
Neumann U87 Customised by Klaus Heyne
Sony MX4000 Headphones
Native Instruments
Taylor 5 String Guitar (custom)
Strandberg Guitars Electric 5 String
Mandocello
OUR GEAR
https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear
HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW
If 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
Or 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
TAPE NOTES TEAM
Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor
Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer, Videographer
Will Lyons - Editor
Nico Varanese - Videographer, Editor
Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant
Jessica Clucas - Production Assistant
Katie-Louise Buxton - Production Assistant
Seb Brunner-Stolovitzky - Production Assistant
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
TN:131 Declan McKenna
John catches up with Declan McKenna to talk about his latest album ‘What Happened To The Beach?’
Declan McKenna first saw mainstream success in 2015 following the release of his debut single ‘Brazil’ and winning Glastonbury Festival’s Emerging Talent prize. While blending topics of politics and social issues with his indie-pop sound through his first two albums, ‘What Happened To The Beach?’ introduces us to a new world, this time looking inward and drawing on Declan’s personal growth as a musician.
As well as opening up his hugely varied bag of demos, musical sketches, and jam sessions, Declan shares stories of his time working in the studio with producer Luca Buccellati, talking through the unusual sounds and fantasy locations that inspired his writing.
Tracks discussed: Mulholland’s Dinner & Wine, Breath of Light, Mezzanine
LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES
linktr.ee/tapenotes
Listen to ‘What Happened To The Beach?’ here.
Sony Music Entertainment
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective
GEAR MENTIONS
Soundtoys Little Alterboy
MWFX The Judder Pedal
Roland Juno 60
Shure SM7B
Mellotron
Electro Harmonix MEL9 Pedal
Acoustasonic Guitars
Logic auto-wah
Logic Pro X
Ableton
OUR GEAR
https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear
HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW
If 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
Or 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
TAPE NOTES TEAM
Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor
Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer, Videographer
Will Lyons - Editor
Nico Varanese - Videographer, Editor
Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant
Jessica Clucas - Production Assistant
Katie-Louise Buxton - Production Assistant
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
Reissue | TN:12 Glass Animals
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. The first selection is our chat with Dave Bayley (Glass Animals) from summer 2018.
EPISODE NOTES
John ventures up to Dave Bayley’s new home studio in London Fields to talk about how Glass Animals’ debut album ZABA was recorded and produced.
We hear how Dave conjured up the band’s unique style through many late night sessions in his bedroom when he should’ve been studying for medical school. He reveals his producer hero’s and an insatiable appetite for data collection, creating his own sound world through sampling every sound imaginable.
Dave guides us through a fascinating breakdown of Gooey – from an early voice demo recorded on his phone to the finished article and we learn some of his trade secrets along the way.
Tracks featured: Gooey, Hazey, Toes
LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES
linktr.ee/tapenotes
Listen to 'ZABA' here.
'ZABA' - Wolf Tone Limited
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective
GEAR MENTIONS
Audio-Technica AT4040
Fender Deluxe 57
Laney VC20
Marshall Stack
Rob Papen Albino Synth
Roland Jupiter 6
Shure SM57
Soundtoys Decapitator
Soundtoys Microshift
Soundtoys Alter Boy
UAD Amp Emulators
Vox AC30
Waves Kramer
Ableton
Ableton Spectrum Plugin
ProTools
OUR GEAR
https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear
HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW
If 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
Or 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
TAPE NOTES TEAM
Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor
Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer
Will Lyons - Editor
Nico Varanese - Videographer, Editor
Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant
Jessica Clucas - Production Assistant
Katie-Louise Buxton - Production Assistant
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
TN:130 100 gecs
John links up with hyper-pop royalty, Laura Les and Dylan Brady, aka 100 gecs, to talk about their latest album ‘10,000 gecs’.
100 gecs first broke onto the scene with their debut album ‘1000 gecs’ in 2019. Capturing attention online and amongst music fans, the innovative record was described as ‘one of the year's most fascinating, exhilarating experimental pop albums’. Their second studio album ‘10,000 gecs’, released in 2023, sees them maintain their status as hyper-pop trailblazers, this time blending pop-punk and ska in with their signature maximalist sound.
Reflecting on their writing process and how it has changed over the years, the conversation covers a range of topics, from the vast number of alternatives each track goes through, to the crazy sound design and effects that make up such an enormous part of their style.
Tracks discussed: Hollywood Baby, 757, The Most Wanted Person In The United States
----------------
Thanks to Audiomovers for supporting this episode. Their Listento Plugin has been a gamechanger for us and we use it across all of our remote interviews and recordings.
To see their full range of plugins, visit audiomovers.com and use the promo code TAPENOTES1 at checkout to get your free month (usually only two days).
----------------
Thanks to Tape It for supporting this episode. Tape It is a recording app designed specifically for musicians and songwriters. Among many of Tape It's incredible features, you can record straight from lock screen, set markers and have complete control over your record settings, and that just the start.
To find out more and get the full app free for a month, head to www.tape.it/tapenotes
----------------
LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES
linktr.ee/tapenotes
Listen to ‘10,000 gecs’ here .
Dog Show Recordings, Atlantic Recordings
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective
GEAR MENTIONS
Native Instruments Guitar Rig
Waves Tune Real Time
Soundtoys Decapitator
Toontrack Superior Drummer
Xfer Serum Synth
Mace Guitar Amp
Shure SM7B
Orange Amp
V-Drums
Mesa Dual Rectifier Amp Head
Splice
Logic Pro X
OUR GEAR
https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear
HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW
If 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
Or 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
TAPE NOTES TEAM
Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor
Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer, Videographer
Will Lyons - Editor
Nico Varanese - Videographer, Editor
David Yu - Engineer (LA)
Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant
Raphi Elton-Rowley - Production Assistant
Jessica Clucas - Production Assistant
Katie-Louise Buxton - Production Assistant
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices -
TN:129 Matthew Herbert
John ventures into the depths of Kent to catch up with Matthew Herbert and discuss his latest work ‘The Horse’.
Renowned for his innovative sound exploration, Matthew gained recognition under various names, including Doctor Rockit, Wishmountain, and Herbert. He's produced for artists such as Bjork and Róisín Murphy, composed for stage and screen, and earned international acclaim for his records. His latest collaboration with the London Contemporary Orchestra resulted in 'The Horse.'
Alongside a full album playback, the conversation covers the thought process behind the sounds, collaborators and story of each track, Matthew also shares his thoughts on ways in which to engage with music and creativity, and how to do it in a way that keeps you continuously inspired.
Tracks discussed: Full Album
LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES
linktr.ee/tapenotes
Listen to ‘The Horse’ here.
Matthew Herbert, Modern Recordings, BMG
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective
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
TAPE NOTES TEAM
Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor
Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer
Will Lyons - Editor
Nico Varanese - Videographer, Editor
Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant
Jessica Clucas - Production Assistant
Katie-Louise Buxton - Production Assistant
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Customer Reviews
The ultimate music lover’s podcast
Podcasts were made for this - deep-diving into the making of great albums, hearing from the artist and their producers about their creative decisions, inspiration, sounds and tech they used. Often opening up their DAW and breaking down tracks. I have listened to some of these multiple times. John is the ideal interviewer too. Please keep the episodes coming!
5 Stars Baby
The James Blake interview has tipped me over the edge to write a review: long time listener. Absolutely love the content. X
Genuinely incredible
Fave music podcast that there is