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.
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John is joined by Jack Patterson and Grace Chatto of Clean Bandit to talk about how they wrote, recorded, and produced some of their early hits.
Clean Bandit are an English electronic group formed in 2008, known for blending classical music with electronics and pop. While they gained early attention with the track βMozartβs House,β their 2014 hit βRather Be,β featuring Jess Glynne, won a Grammy and earned the band global recognition. Now pop mainstays, they have released numerous chart-topping collaborations, including βRockabyeβ and βSymphony.β With two studio albums to their name and new music on the horizon, their most recent work sees them teaming up with Anne-Marie and David Guetta.
In this, part one of our conversation, Jack and Grace look back at their process of creating βRather Beβ and βI Miss You.β In addition to discussing how they programmed the synth at the very centre of their early music, the pair recount stories of writing on the Tube and possibly one of the most intense vocal sessions of their career.
Tracks discussed: Rather Be, I Miss You
TAPE IT
Thanks to our friends at Tape It for supporting the podcast.
Visit tape.it/tapenotes or use the promo code TAPENOTES in the app to get 50% off.
ROLAND
Get 10% off Roland Cloud Ultimate Membership with the code TAPENOTES RC-1024 at rolandcloud.com
MUSIVERSAL
Skip the waitlist and get your 25% discount HERE
LISTEN to βRather Beβ here.Β
LISTEN to βI Miss Youβ here.
Atlantic Records UK
LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTESΒ Β
linktr.ee/tapenotesΒ
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective
GEAR MENTIONS
Antares Harmony Engine
Soundtoys Little Alterboy
XLN AUDIO RC-20
reFX Nexus Synth
That Sound Drumline
Ilya Efimov Plugins
Spectrasonics Keyscape
Mellotron
AKAI EWI Midi Controller
Native Instruments Kontakt
Conny Plank's SSL Desk
Ableton Operator Synth
Ableton
Avid ProTools
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:Β
Instagram: @tapenotesΒ
Twitter: @tapenotesΒ
Facebook: @tapenotespodcastΒ Β
YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast
Discord: Tape Notes
Patreon: Tape Notes
To let us know the artists youβd like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. Weβd love to hear!Β
Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk
TAPE NOTES TEAM
Will BrownΒ
Tim Adam-SmithΒ
Will LyonsΒ
Nico VaraneseΒ
Guy NichollsΒ
Jessica Clucas
Katie-Louise BuxtonΒ
Seb Brunner-StolovitzkyΒ
Jonathon Coughlin
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TN:141 A. G. Cook
Season 14
Tuesday, August 6, 2024 β’ Duration 02:00:45
John is joined by Alex Cook, better known as A. G. Cook, to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced the album βBritpopβ.
A. G. Cook, is a London-based artist and producer. After studying at Goldsmiths University, he founded PC Music, a label shaping hyper pop with artists including Hannah Diamond and Danny L Harle. His debut solo albums, β7Gβ and βAppleβ, arrived in 2020. In addition to his own music, Alex has shared his production talents with numerous pop icons, including Jonsi, Madonna, and Caroline Polachek, and Charli XCX. In May 2024, he released his third studio album, βBritpopβ, a 24-song exploration blending pop, experimental electronics, and acoustic sounds.
Catching up at Strongroom Studios, Alex guides us through the three distinct chapters of the album, digging into the production and song writing approaches he took to make them stand out. As well as sharing some intricate plugin demos, we hear stories of developing a harmonic style, meticulous automation and what it means to be an aggressive listener.Β Β
Tracks discussed: Heartache, Serenade, Lucifer
TAPE IT
Thanks to our friends at Tape It for supporting the podcast.
Visit tape.it/tapenotes or use the promo code TAPENOTES in the app to get 50% off.
MUSIVERSAL
Skip the waitlist and get your 25% discount HERE
LISTEN to βBritpopβ here.
New Alias
LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTESΒ Β
linktr.ee/tapenotesΒ
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective
GEAR MENTIONS
Soundtoys Filter Freak
Waves MetaFlanger
Deamtonics Synthesizer VΒ
Reveal Sound Spire
Xfer Serum
Xfer OTT
Sonic Charge Synplant 2
Logic Compressor
Native Instruments Reaktor
Native instrument Razor
IK Multimedia Mixbox
Udo Super 6 Synth
Sonic Academy Kick 2
Arturia Vocoder V
Melda Productions M Bit Fun
Electro Harmonix Pitch Fork
Roland TR-606
Roland Juno Synth
Rode Microphones
Sony C800G
Shure SM58
Arturia DX-7
Soma Synths Lyra 8
Logic Pro
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:Β
Instagram: @tapenotesΒ
Twitter: @tapenotesΒ
Facebook: @tapenotespodcastΒ Β
YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast
Discord: Tape Notes
Patreon: Tape Notes
To let us know the artists youβd like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. Weβd love to hear!Β
Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk
TAPE NOTES TEAM
Will BrownΒ
Tim Adam-SmithΒ
Will LyonsΒ
Nico VaraneseΒ
Guy NichollsΒ
Jessica Clucas
Katie-Louise BuxtonΒ
Seb Brunner-StolovitzkyΒ
Jonathon Coughlin
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TN:134 The Libertines
Season 14
Thursday, April 11, 2024 β’ Duration 01:13:02
John catches up with English rock band The Libertines to discuss how they wrote and recorded their latest album βAll Quiet on the Eastern Esplanadeβ.
The Libertines formed in 1997 and shot to fame with their debut album, 'Up the Bracket,' becoming pillars of the British indie/alternative resurgence of the early 2000s.
Thirty years after their careers started, they have unveiled their fourth studio album, 'All Quiet on the Eastern Esplanade,' primarily recorded at their studio, The Albion Rooms, in Margate, with producer Dimitri TikovoΓ―.
Sitting down with frontmen Carl Barat and Peter Doherty, the pair discuss their song writing process from idea to finished album. As well as sharing exclusive insights into the evolution of the Libertinesβ recording process, we hear demos and ideas from their early days writing together up to recent studio time in Jamaica.Β
Tracks discussed: Run Run Run, Merry Old England, & Shiver
TAPE IT
Thanks to our friends at Tape It for supporting the podcast.
VisitΒ tape.it/tapenotesΒ or use the promo code TAPENOTES in the app to get 50% off.
LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTESΒ Β
linktr.ee/tapenotesΒ
Listen to βAll Quiet on the Eastern Esplanadeβ hereΒ Β
Libertines Recording Limited, Universal Music Operations, EMI
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective
GEAR MENTIONS
1957 NY Epiphone Casino Guitar
Gibson J45 Guitar
Marshall Amps
Whurli
The Albion Rooms Gear
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 :)Β
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:Β
Instagram: @tapenotesΒ
Twitter: @tapenotesΒ
Facebook: @tapenotespodcastΒ Β
YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast
Discord: Tape Notes
Patreon: Tape Notes
To let us know the artists youβd like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. Weβd love to hear!Β
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
Jonathon Coughlin - Production Assistant
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TN:52 Sports Team & Burke Reid (Mercury Prize Nominated)
Season 5
Tuesday, September 22, 2020 β’ Duration 01:41:26
In this episode, John heads over to Sports Team HQ to catch up with Oli, Rob and producer Burke Reid, to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced their Mercury nominated debut album βDeep Down Happyβ.
With DIY demos and a bag of stems, Oli, Rob and Burke break apart what goes into creating the bandβs signature raucous sound. Weβre treated to tales of sleeping in rehearsal rooms, sneaking into studios and mixing at the kitchen table. Burke talks us through some of his tricks of the trade, from managing the chaos of recording the band while they all still had day jobs, to making simple repeated things sound new and exciting.
Listen to hear why they like to annoy Alex during his vocal takes, which stock Logic drummer has become an integral part of the bandβs writing process and how they tailor their live sets so no one goes to the bar.
Β
Tracks discussed: Kutcher, Here It Comes Again, FishingΒ
Β
Listen to 'Deep Down Happy' here.
'Deep Down Happy' - Big Desert Records, Universal Music Operations Limited
Β
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel CollectiveΒ
Β
GEAR MENTIONS
Audacity
Audio Kitchen Big Trees Pedal
Epiphone Casino
Fender Amps
Mu-Tron Pedals
Neumann U67
Rickenbacker Bass
Roland RE-20 Space Echo
Boss SD-1 Pedal
WEM Amps
Logic Pro
Β
SUBMIT A JINGLE
For all of the details on sending in a jingle email jingles@tapenotes.co.ukΒ Β
Submit your Tape Notes jingle and we'll play our favourites each week on the podcast.
Jingles can be in any style, can feature the Tape Notes theme, lyrics, or none of those things - be as creative as you'd like (as long as they're between 5-15 seconds).
Β
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):Β
Donate
Β Β
Follow us on Social Media to keep up to date with the latest episodes and submit questions:
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Β
Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.ukΒ
Β
Β
Β
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TN:51 Georgia & Mark Ralph (Mercury Prize Nominated)
Season 5
Tuesday, September 22, 2020 β’ Duration 01:24:22
Back at the start of lockdown, John caught up with Georgia and producer Mark Ralph to bring together a special episode for Aim House on how they wrote, recorded and produced Georgiaβs Mercury nominated album βSeeking Thrillsβ.Β
Delving right into the first demos inspired by a night out, Georgia and Mark talk us through their fluid process of bringing the songs to life, from drawing intricate details from their dynamic list of influences, to studio days together programming rooms full of synths.Β Β
Weβre given an insight into Georgiaβs move to becoming a singer, stepping out from behind the drum kit, and Mark shares some of his producer wizardry, enlightening us on song structure, the small things can completely change the feel of a track and much much more.
Listen to hear how a grammatically incorrect sentence became the focus of a song, clips of hook lines written on a glockenspiel and discussions on how to make a computer groove.Β
Tracks discussed: Started Out, About Work The DancefloorΒ
LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTESΒ
https://linktr.ee/tapenotesΒ
Β
Listen to 'Seeking Thrills' here.
'Seeking Thrills' - Domino Recording Co Ltd
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel CollectiveΒ
Β
GEAR MENTIONS
Moog
Nord Wave
Roland SH-101
Roland Jupiter 6
Roland TR-808
Roland TR-909
Sequential OB6
Β
OUR GEAR
https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgearΒ
Β
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):Β
Donate
Β Β
Follow us on Social Media to keep up to date with the latest episodes and submit questions:
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Β
Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.ukΒ
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
TN:50 EOB & Flood
Season 5
Wednesday, August 26, 2020 β’ Duration 02:09:17
In this episode, John heads up to Assault & Battery Studios to chat with EOB β the solo project from Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien - and legendary producer Flood, to talk through how they wrote, recorded and produced the album βEarthβ.Β
Armed with demos and tracks written during Edβs time in Brazil, the pair take a deep dive into the sonic trenches, sharing their musings on the creative process, and reflect on their time working together in the studio. From fortuitous iTunes plays to jamming with world-renowned musicians, we hear Edβs thoughts on transitioning from the realm of backing vocalist to lead vocalist, as well as the intricacies of blending carnival and dance music.Β
Β Listen to find why sometimes itβs a challenge finding beat 1, which track initially began with a swarm of Vihuelas, and why you should never use the word βdemoβ in the studio.Β Β Β
Tracks discussed: Brasil, Olympik, Long Time ComingΒ
LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTESΒ
https://linktr.ee/tapenotesΒ
Β
Listen to 'Earth' here.
'Earth' - Capitol Records, Over Normal Limited, under exclusive license for UMG Recordings, Inc.
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel CollectiveΒ
Β
GEAR MENTIONS
Akai MPC Looper
ARP
Electro-Harmonix Memory Man
Elektron Machine
Eventide H3000
Gibson Les Paul
Soft Tube OTO Biscuit
Roland System 700
Roland Juno 60
Boss RC-1 Looping Pedal
Shure SM58
OUR GEAR
https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgearΒ
Β
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):Β
Donate
Β Β
Follow us on Social Media to keep up to date with the latest episodes and submit questions:
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Β
Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.ukΒ
Β
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
TN:49 Enter Shikari
Season 5
Wednesday, August 19, 2020 β’ Duration 01:40:24
In this episode, John catches up with Enter Shikari frontman and producer, Rou Reynolds to breakdown how the band wrote, recorded and produced their new album βNothing Is True & Everything Is Possibleβ.Β Β
As the bandβs most genre-bending album to date, Rou talks us through the challenges of combining techy metal, rave, reggae and ska influences with an oom-pah band and full symphony orchestra. Digging through his fifteen hard drives of demos and jams, weβre shown how every aspect of a track has a purpose and meaning β with detailed rhythms and distinctive sounds reflecting the state of the world in their own way.Β Β Β
Listen to hear the original gibberish lyrics that ended up making the final version of a song, how the band ended up forming and recording their toy drum kit and what plugins Rou uses to create his own audio cuddle.Β Β
Tracks discussed: THE GREAT UNKNOWN, Waltzing Off the Face of the Earth (1. Crescendo), satellites* *
Β
LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTESΒ
https://linktr.ee/tapenotesΒ
Β
Listen to 'Nothing is True & Everything is Possible' here.
'Nothing is True & Everything is Possible' - SO Recordings/Silva Screen Records Limited
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel CollectiveΒ
Β
GEAR MENTIONS
Ableton
Akai MPC Sampler
Arp 2600
Arturia Synth Emulators
Chandler REDD Microphone
Farfisa
Kemper Profiler Rack
LOMO Channel Strip
Native Instruments Massive
Roland Jupiter 6
Sound Guru Mangle Plugin
Β
OUR GEAR
https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgearΒ
Β
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):Β
Donate
Β Β
Follow us on Social Media to keep up to date with the latest episodes and submit questions:
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Β
Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.ukΒ
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
TN:48 Grouplove & Dave Sitek
Season 5
Wednesday, August 12, 2020 β’ Duration 01:32:37
In this episode, John catches up withΒ GrouploveβsΒ Hannah Hooper and Christian Zucconi along with legendary producer DaveΒ SitekΒ to breakdown how they wrote, recorded and produced the bandβs latest albumΒ Healer.Β
As their first record with an outside producer, the band reflect on their creative flow, pulling apart tracks bit by bit and showing us how Dave was the perfect weirdo to bring the album together. From jamming out five-hour demos at Hannahβs parentβs house to spending over a month recording from 9pm through to 11am, fuelled by cookies with cream cheese, breakfast burritos and copious amounts of weed.Β
We hear theories on how peopleβs souls enter your body to give you songs, why Dave has been the cause of multiple peopleβs synth addictions, and we are treated to unheard midnight vocal takes recorded just before Hannahβs vocal surgery.Β
Β
Tracks discussed:Β Deleter, Expectations, PlacesΒ
Β
LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTESΒ
https://linktr.ee/tapenotesΒ
Β
Listen to 'Healer' here.
'Healer' - Atlantic Recording Corporation, WEA International Inc., Warner Music Group
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel CollectiveΒ
Β
GEAR MENTIONS
Dunlop Echoplex Pedal
Mellotron
Sequential Prophet 6
Β
OUR GEAR
https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgearΒ
Β
KEEP UP TO DATE
For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:Β
Instagram: @tapenotesΒ
Twitter: @tapenotesΒ
Facebook: @tapenotespodcastΒ Β
YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast
Discord: Tape Notes
To let us know the artists youβd like to hear, Tweet us, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. Weβd love to hear!Β
Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.ukΒ
Β
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 :)Β
Donate
Β
Β
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
TN:47 Badly Drawn Boy & Gethin Pearson
Season 5
Thursday, August 6, 2020 β’ Duration 02:01:52
In this episode, John catches up with Badly Drawn Boy A.K.A Damon Gough and producer Gethin Pearson to talk through how they wrote, recorded and produced βBanana Skin Shoesβ.Β
After numerous false starts producing the album β his first after anΒ 8 yearΒ hiatus β Damon paired up with Gethin, bringing a new enthusiasm to Damonβs musical endeavours and with him a pool of new talent to draw inspiration from. We get to hear a plethora of demos and track breakdowns as the pair chart the development of the album and gain aΒ fascinating insight into the philosophyΒ behind their creative decisions. From a post Valentineβs breakfast dateΒ and a shared love of the Beastie Boys,Β Gethin and Damon reflect on their time working together and the importance of the relationship between producer and artist.Β
Listen to hear how Damonβs chat after a toilet break was sampled into something much more meaningful, how he managed to include Brexit, his unborn child and Bono in the same song, and why the best piece of equipment you can have is a good artist.Β
Β
Tracks discussed: Colours, Banana Skin Shoes, Is This A Dream?Β
Β
LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTESΒ
https://linktr.ee/tapenotesΒ
Β
Listen to 'Banana Skin Shoes' here.
'Banana Skin Shoes' - Damon Gough, AWAL Recordings Ltd
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel CollectiveΒ
Β
GEAR MENTIONS
ProTools
ProTools EQ
Adam Audio Monitors
Akai S950 Sampler
Roland RE-20 Space Echo
Roland TR-808
Tascam 4Trk Recorder
Teenage Engineering OP1
Yamaha Clavinova
Β
OUR GEAR
https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgearΒ
Β
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):Β
Donate
Β Β
Follow us on Social Media to keep up to date with the latest episodes and submit questions:
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Β
Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.ukΒ
Β
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
TN:46 Rina Sawayama & Clarence Clarity
Season 5
Wednesday, July 29, 2020 β’ Duration 01:53:43
In this episode, John catches up with Rina Sawayama and producer Clarence Clarity to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced Rinaβs debut album βSawayamaβ.Β Β
Β
Diving deep into the almost 100 track sessions, Rina and Clarence reflect on how the album took shape, from writing demos in Rinaβs bedroom to spending months in an LA studio. We hear the pairβs philosophies on creativity and the hustle of making it in the world of music, along with the secrets in crafting their fusion of R&B, noughties pop and nu-metal.Β Β
Β
Listen to find out why Rina tries includes at least 10 hooks in each song, how Clarence tried to match a trap beat to Rinaβs mumβs Beethoven performance and which member of The 1975 made a secret appearance on the record.Β
Β
Tracks discussed: Dynasty, Love Me 4 Me, Snakeskin
Β
LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTESΒ
https://linktr.ee/tapenotesΒ
Β
Listen to 'Sawayama' here.
'Sawayama' - Dirty Hit
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel CollectiveΒ
Β
GEAR MENTIONS
Ableton
Sontronics Saturn
Soundelux U99
Β
OUR GEAR
https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgearΒ
Β
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):Β
Donate
Β Β
Follow us on Social Media to keep up to date with the latest episodes and submit questions:
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Discord: Tape Notes
Β
Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.ukΒ
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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices