Tape Notes

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...

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 en...

In this episode John ventures up to Spitfire Audio studios to catch up with Wes and Jeremiah from The Lumineers and producer Simone Felice to talk about how they recorded and produced the album III.  The guys offer up an epic dissection of their music covering every aspect of the creative process. We’re treated to intimate phone recordings that captured the lightning strike moments when songs were...

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 f...

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...

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...

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 l...

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...

In this episode John returns to Mr. Dan’s studio in Streatham to talk with Kate Tempest and Dan Carey.  Looking back over a track from each album they’ve recorded together, Kate & Dan detail the creative journey they’ve been on since first meeting, and shine a light on the methods and techniques they use collaborating in the studio.  We hear how the duo embraced teaming up with legendary producer...

In this special live addition of Tape Notes, John is joined by Naomi & Lisa-Kaindé of Ibeyi and XL Recordings head honcho/producer Richard Russell, to talk about how they craft their music together in the studio.  In celebration of National Album Day and recorded in The Pool room at Miloco Studios, the trio wax lyrical about their experiences working together and take a deep dive into the methods...

In this episode John catches up with Marika Hackman and producer David Wrench to chat about how they recorded and produced Marika's 3rd album 'Any Human Friend'.  Talking from David's new studio in London Fields, the pair look back over their experience working together for the first time and shine a light on the production techniques and methods they used in the making of the record.  Listen to f...

In this episode we are joined by Justin and Elliot from Editors and producer Leo Abrahams to talk about how they recorded and produced the album 'Violence'.  The guys shine a light on some of the working methods they used in the making of the album, treating us to the early home demos that band writer Tom created ahead of tracking in the studio.  Listen to find out what an Ed 'weasel' is and why m...

In this episode John is joined by Jack & Suren from Bombay Bicycle Club and producer legend Jim Abbiss to talk about how they recorded and produced 'I Had The Blues But Shook Them Loose'.  Celebrating 10 years since its release, Jim and the boys reminisce over their experiences working together on this iconic debut and how their relationship and approach to recording and music production evolved f...

In this episode John is joined by Maverick Sabre and producer Charlie Perry to talk about how they recorded and produced Maverick's 3rd album 'When I Wake Up'.  The boys break apart some of the tracks from the album recounting the journey these songs undertook from tracking in Maverick's living room to fleshing things out in the studio, divulging their approach to production and some writing along...

In this episode John journeys to Mr Dan's Studio in Streatham to talk with Nick Mulvey and producer Dan Carey about how they recorded and produced Nick's Mercury nominated debut album 'First Mind'.  The boys dive deep into the working processes and shared memories of the time they spent together in the musical playground that is Dan's home studio.  Listen to find out how a collection of dirty cups...

In this episode John is joined by Erik and Yukimi from Little Dragon to talk about how they recorded and produced the album 'Ritual Union'.  Chatting from the studio in Gothenburg where the album was recorded, the pair reflect on the techniques and approaches they used in the recording of their 3rd studio release.  We hear how Little Man was transformed by The Smurfs playing drums, how the acciden...

In this episode John is joined by Joel and Theo from Wolf Alice and legendary producer and bassist Justin Meldal-Johnsen (Beck, M83, Paramore) to dissect how their Mercury Prize winning album 'Visions of a Life' was recorded and produced.  We hear how they rose to the challenge of a 7 minute piece in 3 movements (and why it's no longer called Massive A*** Bleach Attack). With demos of all the trac...

John ventures up to Spitfire Audio to meet with Matty and George from The 1975 to talk about how the album 'A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships' was recorded and produced.  Somewhat bleary eyed after a massive night at the Brits (scooping two awards), the boys reveal the inner workings of The 1975's production methods and writing techniques. We're treated to demo versions and extensive track...

John is joined by Laurie & Isaac form Slaves and producer Jolyon Thomas to talk about how they recorded and produced the band's sophomore album 'Acts Of Fear And Love'.  We get to hear some of the early demos where the original lyrics don't quite sound the way they should, how Laurie and Jolyon layered up the guitar instead of using distortion and why Isaac's simple drum setup is actually a lot ha...

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 boys 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...

In this episode John is joined by Joseph Mount from Metronomy at Iguana Studios to talk about how the album 'Nights Out' was recorded and produced.  In celebration of 10 years since its release, Joe dusts off his old hard drive to reminisce over how he created the tracks on this underground classic.  Hear how buying instruments at a carboot sale in Chiswick, being an asthmatic whilst trying to cla...

John is back at Iguana Studios once again joined this time by artist Frank Turner, but there’s a twist! In an exciting first for Tape Notes this episode’s producer, Josh Block, is coming to us live from the other side of the Atlantic at his studio Niles City Sound in Fort Worth, Texas.  We hear how Frank’s approach to his latest album led him to push beyond the guitar based arrangements of previou...

In this episode of Tape Notes, John takes a trip to Deptfrod to visit Jessie Ware and Dave Okumu in Dave’s newly built studio to talk about how they recorded and produced the album 'Devotion'.  Jessie and Dave look back to the beginnings of their creative relationship and discuss the excitement and trepidation of working together for the first time. We hear demo versions made by Dave ahead their s...

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...

John ventures up to Bow to chat with James Hatcher and Andy Clutterbuck from the band HONNE to find out how they produced and recorded the album ‘Love Me, Love Me Not’. The boys discuss the changes in their approach to songwriting and production from their first album and go into fascinating detail picking apart three of the early releases from their latest record. We hear how a studio cancellatio...