Tape Notes

In quite possibly one of the most synth-heavy episodes ever, John catches up with Matt and Andy of Bicep to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced their latest album ‘Isles’. Unravelling the mystery of how they do what they do, Matt and Andy talk us through the countless demos and subsequent iterations, exploring the abundance of sounds and samples sent to them from collaborators and how this influenced the direction of their music.  From hours spent experimenting in the studio to what they did when creativity hit a low, we hear stories of mixing vintage gear with the latest kit, the intricacies of using drum machines to trigger synths, and anecdotes on how they both became masters of the modular synthesizer. Listen to find out how they ended up with a ‘Kenny G’ version of a track, why they bought every kids Casio keyboard they could get their hands on, and why there is no such thing as a warm-up set in Belfast. Tracks discussed: Atlas, Apricots, Saku, Lido   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to 'Isles' here. 'Isles' - Ninja Tune  Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    GEAR MENTIONS Akai MPC MPC Sampler Alesis Andromeda Deckard’s Dream E-mu SP-1200 Intellijel Metropolis Intellijel Atlantis Roland Juno 60 Korg MonoPoly Korg PolySix Lexicon Reverb Make Noise Modular Synthesiser NIIO Analogue Filter Nyle Filter Roland SH-101 Roland Jupiter Roland Super JD Roland TR-909 Roland TR-808 Tiptop Audio RS-909 Rimshot Verbos Harmonic Oscillator Waldorf Microwave Yamaha Portasound Yamaha CS-80  Eventide Effects Valhalla Reverbs Casio Keyboard 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   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

15 Feb 20211h 52min

In this episode we pick out a selection of highlights from Season 6. If you haven't heard every episode from the last season, this is a good way to introduce yourself to some of the other artists and producers we've had on and hear their tips, tricks and stories. Have a listen to see what you've been missing!   You'll hear highlights from: Paul Epworth Disclosure Biffy Clyro and Rich Costey Georgia and Mark Ralph Jacob Collier Nova Twins and Jim Abbiss Nothing But Thieves Sports Team and Burke Reid Glass Animals Haim with Ariel Rechtshaid and Rostam Batmanglij Lianne La Havas with Beni Giles and Sam Crowe   SUBMIT A JINGLE For all of the details on sending in a jingle, email jingles@tapenotes.co.uk   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).   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    Follow us on Social Media to keep up to date with the latest episodes and submit questions: Instagram Facebook Twitter   Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk

11 Feb 20211h 7min

In this biscuit fuelled episode, John is joined by Lianne La Havas along with producers Sam Crowe and Beni Giles to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced Lianne’s latest album ‘Lianne La Havas’. Delving into Lianne's most personal work yet, the trio takes us through the moments the initial song ideas were formed, through the various stages of their development right to the finished versions.  Illustrated with recordings made throughout the album’s journey, we hear stories of capturing the perfect vocal takes, trying piano voicing's on guitar and tales on the phenomenon of song writing.  Listen to find out why talkback mics sometimes trump fancy mics, how they ventured to the scariest parts of a flute, and how cabbages made it onto the record. Tracks discussed: Bittersweet, Green Papaya, Seven Times   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to 'Lianne La Havas' here. 'Lianne La Havas' - Warner Records UK Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    GEAR MENTIONS AKG C414 Moog Sub-37 Yamaha REFACE CS  Roland TR-808 BX20 BX Spring Reverb Sub Kick Mic Audio-Technica Microphone Squire 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   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

16 Dec 20201h 45min

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 catches up with Danielle from Haim along with co-producers Ariel Rechtshaid and Rostam Batmanglij to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced Haim’s latest album ‘Women in Music Pt. III’. With recordings of jams, writing sessions and iPhone Garageband demos, Danielle, Ariel and Rostam pull apart their creative process, exploring the inspiration behind their ideas and what they did to bring them to life. From hearing song ideas through the floor to finding a fix for everyone’s demoitus, the trio treat us to an absolute masterclass in song writing. Listen to find out how they emulated a booty call on the bass, why they auditioned people for a phone call recording, and how Bono almost made it on to the album. Tracks discussed: Gasoline, 3am, The Steps   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to 'Women In Music Pt. III' here. 'Women In Music Pt. III' - HAIM Productions Inc., under exclusive licence to Universal Music Operations Limited Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    GEAR MENTIONS Universal Audio Apollos Universal Audio 1176 Compressor KORG Gadget 2 App AKG BX10 Spring Reverb Moogerfooger MF-101 Pedal Pioneer 800 Mixer Farfisa Roland TR-808 Scully Tape Machine Neve Desk Fender Stratocaster Camco Drum Kit   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

9 Dec 20201h 56min

Returning for his second outing on Tape Notes, John links up with Glass Animals frontman and producer Dave Bayley, to talk about how the band wrote, recorded and produced their latest album ‘Dreamland’. Born out of an emotional time of uncertainty for the band, Dave discusses the unexpected moments that formed the foundations of the album. Breaking down his writing process from start to finish, we’re treated to the very initial demos and samples recorded on the fly, along with the wealth of production tricks used to create Glass Animals unique sound.  We hear secrets behind reverse drum beats, reverb and delay EQs, as well as the latest iteration of Dave’s crack choir. Listen to find out how Dave attempted to conjure up his inner Dr Dre, how an entire song was forged using just a voice, and what currently sits in the Glass Animals guitar graveyard. Tracks discussed: Dreamland, Space Ghost Coast to Coast, It’s All So Incredibly Loud   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to 'Dreamland' here. 'Dreamland' - Wolf Tone Records, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    GEAR MENTIONS Neve 1073 Universal Audio Reverb Valhalla Vintage Verb Soundtoys Alter Boy Soundtoys Decapitator Neumann U67 Mellotron Plugin Maestro Rhythm King Drum Machine Roland TR-808 Sequential Prophet Fender Stratocaster Hammond B3 Organ Native Instruments Spectrasonics Omnisphere 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   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 Dec 20201h 51min

In this episode, John catches up with Conor, Joe and Dom from Nothing But Thieves, to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced their latest album ‘Moral Panic’. Loaded up with original demo sessions and ideas recorded while on tour, the boys sift through some of the sounds, stories and musical concepts that shaped their songwriting process. Conor enlightens us on his thoughts about vocal production, breaking down the different shades of his voice across the album. We hear geeky tales of musical maths as well as ideas on the importance of groove and precise rhythmic changes that have the power to completely alter the feel of a song. Listen to find out how a YouTube binge led to the start of a new song, which characters they channelled when recording and why they may have been awarded the key to an East Sussex town.   Tracks discussed: Unperson, Is Everybody Going Crazy?, Real Love Song    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to 'Moral Panic' here. 'Moral Panic' - Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective    GEAR MENTIONS reVOLVER DX Pedal Eventide Harmonizer Soothe Plugin Moog DFAM Teenage Engineering OP1 Roland TR-808 Roland Juno  Korg MS-20 Heil Microphones Neumann U67 Neumann U47 Neve Shelford Channel Vox Amps Fender Telecaster Gibson Les Paul Marshall Amps Gretsch Guitars Epiphone Thunderbird Bass  Humbucker Pickups Arturia Synth Emulators 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   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

25 Nov 20201h 51min

In this episode, John catches up with Nova Twins’ Amy and Georgia along with producer Jim Abbiss to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced their debut album ‘Who Are The Girls?’  Reflecting on venturing into the studio for the first time with a ‘big name’ producer, Amy, Georgia and Jim delve into their “ropey” demos written in a tiny room at Georgia's house, unravelling how they formed their raucous balance of electronics, punk and heavy hitting guitar and bass riffs. We’re given a glimpse into the secrets of the duo's mammoth pedal boards, revealing how they are so much more than extensions of their instruments.  Listen to hear drum parts written for drummers with more than two arms, studio debates about a cowbell, and how many biscuits were consumed during the making of the album.  Tracks discussed: Vortex, Taxi, Play Fair   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes   Listen to 'Who Are The Girls?' here. 'Who Are The Girls?' -Nova Twins Ltd in collaboration with 333 Wreckords Crew   GEAR MENTIONS EarthQuaker Devices Pedals Fender Mustang Bypass Looper Gretsch Guitars Logic Pro Garageband   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

18 Nov 20201h 32min

In this episode, John catches up with Jacob Collier to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced his albums Djesse Volumes 1, 2 & 3. With original Logic sessions, demos and heaps of stems in hand, Jacob unravels the wealth of ideas charting the development of each volume’s sonic environment.  We hear his approach to getting the right balance between the simple and complex, illustrated with samples constructed from audience recordings, scrapped key changes and demo raps.   Listen to find out about the benefits and burdens of knowledge, creating tongue twister grooves for the brain and how to take music beyond the twelve tones as we know them. Tracks discussed: With The Love In My Heart, Nebaluyo, All I Need   LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  https://linktr.ee/tapenotes    Listen to 'Djesse Vol. 1' here. Listen to 'Djesse Vol. 2' here. Listen to 'Djesse Vol. 3' here. 'Djesse Vol. 1, 2 & 3' - Hajanga Records, Geffen Records/Decca, a division of Universal Music Operations Limited   GEAR MENTIONS Kiii 3 Speakers Shure SM7B Shure SM58 XLN Audio RC-20 Plugin XFER Records LFO Tool Spectrasonics Omnisphere Native Instruments Battery Logic Pro Kontakt   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

11 Nov 20201h 44min