TN:131 Declan McKenna

In this episode, John joins Orla Gartland and producer Tom Stafford to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced Orla’s debut album ‘Woman on the Internet’. From the early stages of throwing musical ideas at the wall to the almost infinite list of recording secrets picked up from their time at Middle Farm Studios, Orla and Tom look back on trying to capture and emulate the original magic from their early sessions, along with bringing light and shade to the record as a whole. Unearthing old voice memos and opening up the original sessions, we hear stories of blind microphone testing, trying and failing to recreate cheap sounds with ‘posh’ synths, and introducing some of Tom’s modular madness to Orla’s folk-pop sound. Listen to find out how to get good results when recording with a kids karaoke machine, what making things sound orange and sparkly means, and how gigs at a cereal cafe may have been the start of numerous musical careers. Tracks discussed: You’re Not Special Babe, Over Your Head, More Like Your Listen to ‘Woman on the Internet’ here. ‘Woman on the Internet’ - New Friends Music   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    GEAR MENTIONS A100 Analogue Modular System Korg Stage Echo Moog One MicroKorg Nord Keyboards Organelle Synth Fender Telecaster Echoplex Pedal  Warm Audio 47 API Channel Strip Summit TLA 100 Shure 267 Preamp Antares Freakshow Industries Mishby Output Movement Soundtoys Alter Boy Soundtoys Devil-Loc Logic Flex Time   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

10 Nov 20211h 46min

In this episode, John links up with Lauren, Iain and Martin of CHVRCHES to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Screen Violence’. Largely working remotely from different parts of the world, the trio look back on how they adapted their writing process, discussing how the effects of the pandemic ended up shaping some of the themes and meanings within the album. Sharing some of their day one demos, we hear stories of forming entire songs around single elements, combining and blending vintage gear with modern recording techniques, and using creative production tricks to respond to and reinforce certain lyrics. Listen to find how powerful hidden live drums on an electronic beat can be, why you should always keep your day one demo in a session, and how to react when Robert Smith emails you saying “what do you want?”   Tracks discussed: How Not To Drown, He Said She Said, California Listen to ‘Screen Violence’ here. ‘Screen Violence’ - EMI, Virgin Records   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    GEAR MENTIONS Auto-Tune Melodyne Soundtoys Alter Boy Soundtoys Microshift Soundtoys Decapitator Valhalla Delay Universal Audio OX Amp Arcade Roland D50 Roland Juno 106 Siel Orchestra Synthesizer Fender 6 Bass  AMS Reverb Space Echo Tube-Tech CL 1B Compressor Pultec 1176 Compressor LA-2A Leveling Amp   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

3 Nov 20211h 59min

In this episode, John ventures over to Baltic Studios to catch up with Frank and Dean of Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes about how they wrote, recorded and produced their latest album ‘Sticky’. Unearthing demos and recordings from their time in a Norfolk holiday cabin, the pair look back on how their process has changed over the years, sharing thoughts on broadening their horizons and blurring the lines of writing and recording. As well as personal stories of self-sabotage, imposter syndrome and competition within music, the pair single out the ingredients that form their chaotic cacophony of sound, from homemade microphones and recycling unused material, to tuning gunshots from Call of Duty. Listen to find out why you should collaborate with people that make you feel lazy, how to react when Dave Grohl brings you a tray of shots mid set, and why Frank may soon be performing Moonlight Sonata.   Tracks discussed: Rat Race, Go Get A Tattoo, Take It To The Brink   Listen to ‘Sticky’ here. ‘Sticky’ - International Death Cult, AWAL Recordings Ltd   Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    GEAR MENTIONS Arturia  Waves MondoMod Valhalla Room Soundtoys Decapitator  Soundtoys EchoBoy Soundtoys Alter Boy Splice Telephone Mic Conversion Shure SM7B Universal Audio 1176 Compressor Thermionic Culture Vulture Fender Mustang Bass Fender Amps Selmer Amps Roland TR-808 Whurlitzer   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

26 Okt 20212h 13min

In this episode, John catches up with Mr Jukes, aka Jack Steadman, and Barney Artist to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced their joint album ‘The Locket’. Breaking the elements down to their very beginnings, Jack talks us through his sampling process, from YouTube crate digging and detailed editing, to processing and pitching individual hits from his vault of free sample packs. As well as sharing their thoughts on privilege and ‘making it’ in the world of music, the pair reflect on their partnership, as friends and creatives, discussing some of the most fundamental elements that enabled its success. Listen to find out why Barney’s battered Peugeot 307 is on the album cover, why it’s not always best to tell a rapper you’ve been making beats, and how to turn a 70s jazz-fusion track into a football chant. Tracks discussed: Blowin Steam (Open Up Your Mind), The Locket, Vibrate   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ‘The Locket’ here. ‘The Locket’ - Locket Records, Virgin Music Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    GEAR MENTIONS Serato DJ Software MWM Bluetooth Needle   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

19 Okt 20211h 32min

In this episode, John heads over to Jungle’s West London HQ to catch up with Josh Lloyd-Watson about how the band wrote, recorded and produced their latest record ‘Loving in Stereo’. Having written a lot of the album in their shed over the last two years, Josh takes us all the way back to the almost 30-minute demos, talking through the process of cherry-picking the best parts and forming the tracks as we know them. As well as sharing his thoughts on originality, natural creative flow and knowing when to stop, we hear stories of building samples, constantly layering vocals, and blending synths, guitars and orchestral elements into a singular unified sound. Listen to find out how to get as close to the cheesy line as possible, what happens when you combine a Ron Burgundy flute solo with Baker Street sax, and how to do a great siren impression.  Tracks discussed: Keep Moving, All of the Time, Bonnie Hill   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ‘Loving In Stereo’ here. ‘Loving In Stereo’ - Caiola Records, AWAL Recordings Ltd Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    GEAR MENTIONS MPC Sampler Sequential Prophet 8 Neumann U67 Neumann U87 Moog One  Mellotron Sequential Prophet How Music Works - David Byrne Roland RE-501 - Chorus Echo Soundtoys Decapitator Hammond Organ Kemper Profiler Rack ProTools Logic Pro   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

12 Okt 20211h 22min

In this episode, John links up with Dan and Wayne of Imagine Dragons to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced their latest album 'Mercury - Act 1. Having spent almost three years writing almost 300 demos, Dan and Wayne look back on the process of whittling down the tracklist and forming the album, from capturing their ideas as quickly as possible, through to working with legendary producer Rick Rubin and deconstructing everything to its purest essence. As well as sharing their thoughts on creativity, songwriting and their life experiences in the world of music, the pair speak openly about the inspiration and meaning behind some of their most honest tracks to date, while also demonstrating how they let the subject of each song help define its production. Listen to find out why samples can sometimes work better than a live performance, how raw magic often is captured on a first take, and the wealth of instruments that Dan can create using only his mouth. Tracks discussed: Dull Knives, It’s Ok, Wrecked   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ‘Mercury - Act 1’ here. ‘Mercury - Act One’ - Interscope Records, KIDinaKORNER    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    GEAR MENTIONS Analogue Design Black Box Plugin ApTrigga Soundtoys Devil-Loc TrackSpacer Plugin Fab Filter Pro-Q3 Melodyne Antares Auto-Tune Goodhertz Wow Control UAD E SSL Channel Strip Valhalla Reverbs Native Instruments Guitar Rig Native Instruments Drum Lab Native Instruments Rickenbacker Gibson Les Paul Ebow Vox AC30 Marshall ShredMaster Pedal Shure SM57 Royer Microphone Neumann U47 Neumann U67 Neve 1073 Kemper Profiler Rack Fender Telecaster Fender Princeton Amp Roland TR-808 Ableton Tube Amp Ableton Compressor Ableton Cakewalk Logic Pro Cubase   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

5 Okt 20211h 53min

Back in summer 2020, John headed over to The Church Studios to catch up with James Vincent McMorrow, Paul Epworth and Lil Silva to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced James’s album ‘Grapefruit Season’. Taking tracks from Dublin to London to LA and back, James talks us through the myriad of iterations the songs went through, exploring the different writing situations and how all of his collaborators had such varied musical impacts. Paul and TJ lend their producer expertise pulling out individual stems and breaking songs apart, as well as discussing their approaches towards bringing energy to the studio, and sharing thoughts on how production, sounds and songwriting are one and the same.  Listen to find out about the lyric James spent all of his life waiting for, why Paul was such a terrible studio assistant and how a serendipitous ‘adapter’ hunt led to the trio’s partnership. Tracks discussed: Headlights, Gone, Paradise   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to 'Grapefruit Season' here. 'Grapefruit Season' - Sony Music Entertainment UK Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    GEAR MENTIONS Sequential OB6 Moog One Moog Grandmother Paul's Big Modular Moog Teisco Synth Xfer Serum Synth Roland TR-808 Spectrasonics Omnisphere Universal Audio Apollo Twin Mellotron  iZotope Iris Faith Saturn Guitar LinnDrum ProTools ProTools Air Kill EQ Apple Mac   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   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

28 Sep 20211h 55min

In this episode, John returns to Pixel studios to chat with Maisie Peters and producer Joe Rubel about how they wrote, recorded and produced Maisie’s debut album ‘You Signed Up For This’. Going through their WhatsApp log of voice notes and ideas, Maisie and Joe look back on the chaotic methods of bringing an album together over lockdown, pulling apart how they carefully married Maisie’s original acoustic sound with more produced elements. Alongside the wealth of Joe’s production goodness, Maisie sheds some light on her lyric writing process, from the internal rhyming patterns and carefully considered syllables in her writing, to the subtle nods hidden throughout each track. Listen to find out why Maisie wouldn’t play instruments on her own songs, how to proceed after deciding it’s time to write a banger, and which part of a song you will now have to try and clap along to. Tracks discussed: You Signed Up For This, I’m Trying (Not Friends), Love Him I Don’t   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to ‘You Signed Up For This’ here. ‘You Signed Up For This’ - Warner Music, Asylum Records, Gingerbread Man Records  Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    GEAR MENTIONS Arturia Prophet V3 Plugin Roland Juno 60  Binson Tape Machine  LinnDrum Sequential Prophet  Splice Spectrasonics Keyscape Shure SM7B Austrian Audio OC818 Chandler Preamp  Tube-Tech CL 1B Compressor Nashville Guitar Tuning Martin Guitars    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

21 Sep 20211h 39min