Reissue | TN:12 Glass Animals

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 reunites with Alex Crossan, a.k.a. Mura Masa, to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced his latest album ‘Demon Time’.   Reflecting on the process of working out what a lockdown album would sound like and making the complete opposite of that, Alex shares his thoughts on controlling the vibe of a record while still managing to explore every random studio idea with each of his collaborators.   As well as giving us a tour of some of the weirdest sounds in his sample folder, Alex treats us to production gold, demonstrating some of the simplest yet most effective Garage tricks, and the ways in which he created the impression of fake DJ across the album.   Listen to find out how a citrus salad led to a revelation about frequencies, why if an idea’s making you laugh then that’s the right one to follow, and how to sneakily get people to write for your album in their own writing session.    Tracks discussed: demon time, hollaback bitch, e-motions LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES   linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ‘Demon Time’ here. Anchor Point Records, Polydor, Universal Music   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective GEAR MENTIONS Soundiron Elysium Harp Arturia Analog Lab Moog DFAM Soyuz Microphones Hoover Synth Sound Ableton Operator Synth   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 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 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   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   TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer Matt Purbrick - Production Assistant Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing

30 Nov 20221h 18min

In this episode, John reunites with Fred Gibson, a.k.a. Fred Again.., at his house, to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Actual Life 3 (January 1 - September 9 2022)’.   Reflecting on what’s been a very busy 18 months, Fred discusses how the success of the Actual Life series has had an impact on how and why he writes music. From the tricks he uses to keep his writing process fast and fun, to the moments his creativity was lost and the advice that came from Brian Eno to focus it.   As well as sharing demos written with The 1975 and sampling songs by his brother, Fred gets hands on with his explanations of the plugins and process he uses, treating us to live beat builds, piano demonstrations and examples of compression demonstrated through table drumming.   Listen to find out what Fred’s reaction to switching DAWs was, why you should put off any technical aspects of a track until the end, and why some people may call the harmonic modulations in his music ‘the work of the devil’.    Tracks discussed: Delilah (pull me out of this), Berwyn (all that I got is you), Kelly (end of a nightmare) LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ‘Actual Life 3 (January 1 - September 9 2022)’. Atlantic Records, Warner Music   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   GEAR MENTIONS Expert Sleepers Spectral Conquest Samplr App  Pioneer Mixer and CDJs Logic Pro X Ableton Apple Wired Headphones   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   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 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   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 TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer George Durston - Production Assistant Matt Purbrick - Production Assistant Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing

17 Nov 20221h 20min

In this episode John is joined by Vincent Fenton better known as FKJ (French Kiwi Juice) to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced three tracks across his releases - ‘Time For A Change’, ‘Ylang Ylang’ and ‘Vincent’.   Giving us a glimpse at his musical journey through the years, Vincent reflects on each of the decisive elements that help characterise his signature sound, from location and significant life events, to his early homemade synth presets and sample libraries.    Alongside his tricks on how to bring electronic drums to life, and the different headspaces that help focus his music making, we hear thoughts on why limitations can be so exciting and how so often ‘bad’ pieces of gear create something that ‘amazing’ gear simply can’t.   Listen to find out how miniscule chord changes can drastically alter the emotion of a vocal line, what challenges come with moving your entire studio to the middle of the jungle in the Philippines, and why combining your adult and child minds can be the key to creativity.   Tracks discussed: So Much To Me, Ylang Ylang, Different Masks For Different Days LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ‘V I N C E N T’ here AWAL Recordings   Listen to ‘Ylang Ylang’ here AWAL Recordings   Listen to ‘Time For A Change’ here Roche Musique   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   GEAR MENTIONS Native Instruments - The Gentleman Native Instruments Kontakt Soundtoys Radiator Soundtoys Little Plate Soundtoys Echoboy Soundtoys Filter Freak Soundtoys Bundle Antares Choir Schoeps MK41  Schoeps CMC6  Neumann TLM 102 WMD Chimera Percussion Module  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   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 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   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   TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer Andy Tindall - Videographer George Durston - Production Assistant Matt Purbrick - Production Assistant Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing

8 Nov 20221h 25min

In this episode, John is back at Spitfire Audio to catch up with Ben Coyle-Larner, better known as Loyle Carner, along with producers Kwes and Nick Mills, about how they wrote, recorded and produced Loyle’s new album ‘Hugo’.   Reflecting back on their time writing over lockdown, Ben, Kwes and Nick talk us through their extensive process of whittling each track down to the finished article, from the early jam sessions and demos they fell in love with, right through the numerous directions they took each beat.   Along with sharing some of the best examples of collaboration and what it can bring, we’re treated to detailed track breakdowns and thoughts on the most effective approaches to take when balancing the emotions of a beat to the emotions within lyrics.   Listen to find out what dangers come with making things too musical, how AI came to the rescue multiple times, and what the ultimate studio snack is.   Tracks discussed: Hate, Nobody Knows, Plastic   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES   linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ‘Hugo’ here. EMI, Universal Music Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   GEAR MENTIONS D16 Decimort Plugin Oxford Inflator Plugin Kazrog True Iron Plugin Plugin Alliance Black Box Serato Sample Plugin Soundtoys Decapitator Soundtoys Tremolator Soundtoys Echoboy Soundtoys Little AlterBoy Valhalla Vintage Verb Mellotron Fabfilter Plugins  Goodhertz Lossy Plugin XLN Audio RC 20 Moises AI App Shure SM57 DBX 118 Expander Lewitt 640 Mics Teenage Engineering OP1 Logic Stock Pedals FL Studio   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 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 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   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   TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer Matt Purbrick - Production Assistant Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing

24 Okt 20221h 39min

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 is back at Spitfire Audio to reunite with Matty and George of The 1975, to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Being Funny in a Foreign Language’.   Digging into stems, demos and the musical moments that inspired their writing, Matty and George give us a full behind-the-scenes tour of their creative process, sharing stories of very last-minute album additions and the unreleased songs that might one day be on a 1975 record.   As well as tales from the studio working with producer Jack Antonoff, the pair reveal the tricks they used to create and record some of the most unique sounds and performances on the album, from constructing vast textures of only organic keyboard sounds to Googling the gear and instruments other people use.   Listen to find out how simply soloing individual parts can lead to breakthrough moments when writing, the one scale you need to learn to play any 1975 song, and why Matty has now fully embraced his northern accent when singing.   Tracks discussed: Part of the Band, The 1975, Happiness, When We Are Together LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES   linktr.ee/tapenotes  Listen to ‘Being Funny in a Foreign Language’ here.  Dirty Hit   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective - https://songwhip.com/laurelcollective/sunshinebuddy      GEAR MENTIONS Gibson ES-330 Guitar Roland JV-1080 Yamaha CP80  Yamaha CP-70B Plugin Alliance Brainworx Focusrite CS Chandler TG Channel Korg M1 DynaCord Digital Echo Binson Echorec WEM Copicat Tape Echo  Roland RE-201 Space Echo Philips Philicorda Harmonium ProTools  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   KEEP UP TO DATE For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @tapenotes  Twitter: @tapenotes  Patreon: @TapeNotesPodcast Facebook: @tapenotespodcast   YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast 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   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   TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing

18 Okt 20221h 26min

In this very special live episode in partnership with AIM, MPG and Transgressive, John is joined by Let’s Eat Grandma’s Rosa Walton and producer David Wrench at Signature Brew to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the band’s third album ‘Two Ribbons’. Taking us back to the album’s very beginnings, Rosa and David chart each song’s development, from early bedroom demos complete with mumble melodies and simple energy building tricks, to lyrics finished on the day of recording and adding surprising instruments that bring that extra glitter to their music. Discussing the way in which the band’s creative process has changed in parallel with their different life experiences, the pair share their thoughts on wanting to take on separate subjects and their methods of unifying them into a singular sonic world. Listen to find out how to approach a breakup song before you’ve broken up, why sometimes you don’t need to worry about microphones and how many chillies were unknowingly consumed in the making of this album. Unfortunately, we had a few technical difficulties with the recording and so the sound quality isn’t up to our usual standard, but we hope you enjoy this deep dive into the album nonetheless.   Tracks discussed: Levitation, Sunday, Hall of Mirrors   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ‘Two Ribbons’ here. ‘Two Ribbons’ - Transgressive   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   GEAR MENTIONS   Arturia ARP 2600 V  Arturia Plugins Moog One Elka Synthex BOSS DR-100 “Dr. Rhythm” Analog Drum Machine Roland TR-808 Sequential Prophet  Neumann TLM 47  Fender Stratocaster  Gibson Guitars Mellotron Bell Tree Ableton - Granulator Plugin 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   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 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 Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer Andrew Tindall (Roam Film) - Videographer Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing

31 Aug 20221h 23min

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 milestone 100th episode of Tape Notes, John is joined by the Finneas at Lightship95 Studio, to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced his album ‘Optimist’ and his new single ‘Mona Lisa Mona Lisa’. Reflecting on the fluidity of his writing process, Finneas talks us through the varied methods and circumstances in which his tracks took shape, from the very first synth sounds that kick-started ideas, to the detailed sonic decisions that helped each element work towards a cohesive goal. Alongside the production masterclass, Finneas looks back on his career so far, discussing his family’s involvement with his music and the impact they’ve had on his creativity. We hear stories from the early days of making music videos with his mum, vocal mic shootouts with Billie, and the essential advice that he still lives by. Listen to find out why mediocrity isn’t a bad thing, how finishing a song isn’t too dissimilar to finishing a meal, and why the correct way to do something isn’t always the correct way. Tracks discussed: How It Ends, Medieval, Mona Lisa Mona Lisa   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  linktr.ee/tapenotes   Listen to ‘Optimist’ here. Listen to ‘Mona Lisa Mona Lisa’ here. OYOY Inc, Interscope Records   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective.   GEAR MENTIONS Arturia Farfisa Output Analogue Strings FabFilter Twin 2 Spectrasonics Trilian Spectrasonics Omnisphere Soundtoys Decapitator Soundtoys Little AlterBoy Soundtoys Tremolator Antares Autotune Native Instruments Bundle Native Instruments Massive Valhalla Room Neumann TLM103 Chandler REDD Telefunken ELA M 251 Audio Technica AT2020 Shure SM7B Shure SM57 M-Audio Venom Sequential Prophet X Novation UltraNova Synth Elektron Synth Fender Acoustasonic Tube-Tech CL1B Compressor Cloud Microphones Cloudlifter Sweetwater Best Seller List Ableton Logic Pro Logic - Compressor Plugin   OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    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 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    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   TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer Rob Leedell - Camera Assistant and Photographer George Durston - Production Assistant Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing

25 Juli 20221h 17min

In this episode, John heads to Fiction Studios to catch up with Jon and Alex of Everything Everything to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Raw Data Feel’. Taking us through the very first scraps of ideas, Jon and Alex pull apart the elements within each demo they often endeavour to carry into the final songs, from the qualities found within their raw desk mixes to the hidden melodies that end up pulling a whole track together. Alongside Jon’s tips on writing to suit different people’s vocal ranges and Alex’s deep dive into his modular synth collection, we’re given a glimpse into the influence and use of AI on the album, including a sneak peek at the lyrics generated when a system is fed with text from Beowulf, Tumblr feeds and the LinkedIn T&Cs. Listen to find out how a studio clean out led to a slide guitar feature, why limitation is such a useful tool and what to start cutting out when you’re bored with a track.   Tracks discussed: Jennifer, Leviathan, Software Greatman   Listen to ‘Raw Data Feel’ here. ‘Raw Data Feel’ - Infinity Industries LLP, AWAL Recordings Ltd   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    GEAR MENTIONS Linnstrument Roli Seaboard Verbos Sequencer Verbos Electronics Verbos Harmonic Oscillator SOMA Pulsar 23 Cwejman S1 Cwejman MMF 2 Filter Zoom 4040 Pedal Metal Zone Pedals Valhalla Reverbs Neumann U67 Ableton - CV Tools Ableton     OUR GEAR https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear    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 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    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   TAPE NOTES TEAM Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer Will Lyons - Editor Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer George Durston - Production Assistant Nathan Hetherington - PR Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing

19 Juli 20221h 41min