Podcast

Tape Notes

Music, Music Interviews

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.

Music Interviews chart
#14
Episodes
210
Releases
Every two weeks
Typical length
1 hr 41 min
On air since
2017
Latest episode
5 days ago

Episodes

210 episodes, newest first

  1. TN: Tame Impala (Bonus Episode)

    Show notes

    WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE @ http://patreon.com/tapenotes

    In this special bonus episode, John joins Kevin Parker a.k.a. Tame Impala to dive into one more track that didn’t make it into the original conversation.

    Just in time for Halloween, Kevin takes us behind the scenes of ‘Dracula’, unpacking the multitude of demos, experiments and early ideas that gradually came together to form the track we know today. Along the way, he reveals how some of the most unexpected elements made their way into the song, including a random percussion instrument that happened to be lying around on his desk and would become a key part of its sound.

    If you haven’t heard the main interview already, where Kevin talks us through his process of creating ‘My Old Ways’ and ‘Loser’ make sure to check that out. Episode 188 Tame Impala!

    Tracks discussed: Dracula

    LISTEN to ‘Deadbeat’ (Columbia Records): Deadbeat by Tame Impala

    TAPE IT Thanks to our friends at Tape It for supporting the podcast.

    Visit https://tape.it/tapenotes or use the promo code TAPENOTES in the app to get 20% off.

    IMAGINE PLUGINS BY SOUNDBETTER

    Build and sell your own plugins. Get your FREE Vocal Effect plugin here

    MUSIVERSAL

    Skip the waitlist and get your discountHERE

    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES

    https://www.linktr.ee/tapenotes

    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

    EPISODE GEAR MENTIONS

    Soundtoys Echoboy⁠

    ⁠Soundtoys Decapitator⁠

    ⁠Valhalla Room⁠

    ⁠Shure SM58⁠

    ⁠Shure SM7B⁠

    ⁠U47⁠

    ⁠Vermona DRM1⁠

    ⁠DBX 165⁠

    ⁠Roland SH-1 ⁠

    ⁠Roland TR-808⁠

    ⁠Sequential Prophet 5⁠

    ⁠Ableton Stock Plugins⁠

    ⁠Ableton Echo⁠

    ⁠Ableton

    OUR GEAR

    https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you'd like to help support the show you can join us onPatreon, 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:

    Instagram:@tapenotes

    YouTube:Tape Notes Podcast

    Discord: Tape Notes

    Patreon:https://discord.gg/tapenotesTape Notes

    To let us know the artists you’d like to hear, 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:http://www.tapenotes.co.uk

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    26 min
  2. TN:192 Troye Sivan & Tyde Levi

    Show notes

    WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE @ ⁠Patreon.com/tapenotes⁠

    John is joined by Troye Sivan and producer Tyde Levi to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘She’s the Best’.

    Troye Sivan is an Australian singer-songwriter and producer. He signed with EMI aged just 18 after building a global following as a teen YouTuber. Troye has since released three acclaimed albums blending electropop and dance: ‘Blue Neighbourhood’ (2015), ‘Bloom’ (2018) and the Grammy-nominated ‘Something to Give Each Other’ (2023). His fourth album, ‘She’s the Best’, arrived in October 2026, produced by his brother Tyde Levi among others.

    Sitting down at Platoon Studios, the trio discuss the different process Troye took on this record. He and Tyde talk about what collaborating together and more widely, including with Jack Antonoff, brought to the album’s sound. Troye discusses producing his own vocals across the record and the vocal chain he uses for home recording. They discuss how the Madonna sample on the album came to be, dig into numerous early demos and instrumentals, plus much more!

    Tracks discussed: Party, Cowboy, Canada Dry

    TAPE IT

    Thanks to our friends at Tape It for supporting the podcast.

    Visit https://tape.it/tapenotes or use the promo code TAPENOTES in the app to get 20% off.

    IMAGINE PLUGINS BY SOUNDBETTER

    Build and sell your own plugins. Get your FREE Vocal Effect plugin here

    MUSIVERSAL

    Skip the waitlist and get your discountHERE

    Recorded at Platoon Studios.

    LISTEN to ‘She’s the Best’ here - She’s the Best by Troye Sivan

    Tokky’s Music, LLC, under exclusive licence to Interscope Records

    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES

    https://www.linktr.ee/tapenotes

    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

    GEAR MENTIONS

    Soundtoys Echoboy

    Soundtoys Little AlterBoy

    Antares Autotune

    Shure SM7B

    Universal Audio Apollo Twin

    Valhalla VintageVerb

    Ensonique Fizmo Synth

    Arturia Vocoder V

    Analogue Obsession BritPre

    Waves CLA Guitar

    Roland Juno Plugin

    Korg MS-20

    XLN Audio RC-20 Retro Colour

    Native Instruments Kontakt

    Ableton Redux Bitcrusher

    Splice

    OUR GEAR

    https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you'd like to help support the show you can join us onPatreon, 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:

    Instagram:@tapenotes

    YouTube:Tape Notes Podcast

    Discord: Tape Notes

    Patreon:https://discord.gg/tapenotesTape 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:http://www.tapenotes.co.uk

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 29 min
  3. TN:191 Lizzy McAlpine, Mason Stoops, Taylor Mackall & Omar Akrouche

    Show notes

    John is joined by Lizzy McAlpine, along with producers Mason Stoops and Taylor Mackall and engineer Omar Akrouche to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Angel’.

    Lizzy McAlpine is a singer-songwriter and producer from Pennsylvania. Having written and recorded music through her teens, in 2020 she released her debut album ‘Give Me a Minute’. She has since released two more critically acclaimed albums: ‘five seconds flat’, featuring the viral hit ‘ceilings’, and ‘Older’, her first collaboration with producers Mason Stoops and Taylor Mackall. Lizzy’s fourth album, ‘Angel’, arrived in September 2026 working once again alongside Mason and Taylor.

    Sitting down at Platoon Studios, the four dig into the writing process and final Pro Tools sessions, exploring vocal production and layering guitars around Lizzy’s signature intimate vocal style. They also discuss finding the perfect harmonies and instrumentation for the album, including the “army of pianos”!

    Tracks discussed: Peach, Two Elevens, Our Strange Ways

    TAPE IT

    Thanks to our friends at Tape It for supporting the podcast.

    Visit https://tape.it/tapenotes or use the promo code TAPENOTES in the app to get 20% off.

    IMAGINE PLUGINS BY SOUNDBETTER

    Build and sell your own plugins. Get your FREE Vocal Effect plugin here

    MUSIVERSAL

    Skip the waitlist and get your discountHERE

    Recorded at Platoon Studios.

    LISTEN to ‘Angel’ here - Angel by Lizzy McAlpine, RCA Records under exclusive licence from Indigo Blue, LLC

    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES

    https://www.linktr.ee/tapenotes

    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

    GEAR MENTIONS

    Gulbransen Pianofor Minipiano

    SoundToys Panman

    Boss VB-2 Pedal

    SoundToys Devi-Loc

    Fieldtone Weaver

    Source Audio Collider

    Acetone

    Thumb Jam App

    Aria ADD-100 Delay Pedal

    Neumann U67

    AKG C12

    Neumann KM84

    Moog Minimoog

    Chase Bliss Audio / Meris CXM 1978

    Valhalla VintageVerb

    Line 6 Echo Park

    Danelectro Bellzouki

    Tech 21 VB2 CompTortion

    Neumann U47/U48

    Neumann KM 56

    Antares Auto-Tune

    Celemony Melodyne

    Goodhertz Lossy

    EMT 250 Reverb

    Optigan

    Wurlitzer

    Valhalla Super Massive

    Gibson 1953 ES-140

    P-90 Guitar

    Boss VB-2

    Fender Champ

    LOMO Flashlight Mic

    Oscar Schmidt / Stella 12-String Baritone

    Universal Audio 1176

    Danelectro Bass 6

    Danelectro Sitar

    OUR GEAR

    https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you'd like to help support the show you can join us onPatreon, 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:

    Instagram:@tapenotes

    YouTube:Tape Notes Podcast

    Discord: Tape Notes

    Patreon:https://discord.gg/tapenotesTape 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:http://www.tapenotes.co.uk

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 57 min
  4. TN:190 The Beatles (Giles Martin)

    Show notes

    John is joined by Giles Martin to talk about how he recorded and produced the album ‘Rubber Soul: New Special Edition’.

    Giles Martin is a British composer, producer and arranger. Assisting his father, Beatles producer Sir George Martin, in the studio from an early age, Giles has been closely involved with the Beatles’ catalogue, producing the 50th anniversary remix and deluxe editions of ‘Revolver’, ‘Sgt. Pepper’ and ‘Let It Be’, among many others. ‘Rubber Soul: New Special Edition’, featuring new stereo and Dolby Atmos mixes, alongside previously unreleased session recordings and home demos, is released on 2nd October 2026.

    Sitting down in Giles’ studio at Abbey Road and digging into the original four track recordings as well as his updated mixes, Giles gives a unique insight into the studio recording processes of the greatest band in the world and their working relationship with his father George. He reveals George’s production secrets and lifts the lid on the meticulous process, as well as the joys and pressures, of re-mixing this new edition of ‘Rubber Soul’.

    Tracks discussed: Drive My Car, Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown), In My Life

    LISTEN to ‘Rubber Soul: New Special Edition’

    TAPE IT

    Thanks to our friends at Tape It for supporting the podcast. Visit http://tape.it/tapenotes to get 20% off Tape It Pro.

    Try the new Tape It Denoiser currently 50% off!

    IMAGINE PLUGINS BY SOUNDBETTER

    Build and sell your own plugins. Get your FREE Vocal Effect plugin here

    MUSIVERSAL

    Skip the waitlist and get your discountHERE

    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES

    https://www.linktr.ee/tapenotes

    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

    EPISODE GEAR MENTIONS

    ATC Speakers

    Pultec EQ

    Nagra Tape Recorder

    Fairchild Compressor

    Neumann U47

    Neumann U48

    Logic Pro

    Avid Pro Tools

    OUR GEAR

    https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you'd like to help support the show you can join us onPatreon, 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:

    Instagram:@tapenotes

    YouTube:Tape Notes Podcast

    Discord: Tape Notes

    Patreon:https://discord.gg/tapenotesTape Notes

    To let us know the artists you’d like to hear, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We’d love to hear!

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 42 min
  5. TN:189 Bonobo

    Show notes

    BONOBO SPECIAL! - 50% of Tape It Pro at tape.it/bonobo (available until 30th September 2026)

    John is joined by Simon Green, aka Bonobo, to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Distance in Static’.

    Simon Green, aka Bonobo, is a British musician, producer, and DJ, considered one of electronic music’s defining voices. Across eight albums, including the seminal ‘Black Sands’, ‘Migration’ and ‘Fragments’, he has built a celebrated career blending electronic, jazz and organic instrumentation, and received seven Grammy nominations. His latest record, Distance in Static, arrived in September 2026.

    Sitting down at Platoon Studios in London, Simon deep dives into what he reveals might be his last “broad, multi-genre Bonobo record”. He discusses the album’s collaborations and reveals his techniques and go-to gear for vocal processing, producing strings and “humanising” drum sounds.

    Tracks discussed: Me and You, Fire on the Water, Talk to Me

    LISTEN to ‘Distance in Static’ (Ninja Tune): Distance in Static by Bonobo

    TAPE IT

    Thanks to our friends at Tape It for supporting the podcast and inspiring Simon with great tools!

    Visit http://tape.it/bonobo to get 50% off.

    Try the new Tape It Denoiser currently 50% off!

    IMAGINE PLUGINS BY SOUNDBETTER

    Build and sell your own plugins. Get your FREE Vocal Effect plugin here

    MUSIVERSAL

    Skip the waitlist and get your discountHERE

    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES

    https://www.linktr.ee/tapenotes

    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

    GEAR MENTIONS

    Audio Damage Quanta

    Cable Box ShaperBox

    FabFilter Simplon

    Oeksound Soothe

    MakeNoise Morphogene

    Polyverse Wider

    Valhalla Plugins

    Valhalla Shimmer

    TapeIt

    Yamaha CP Rhodes

    Moog Bass

    Celemony Melodyne

    Korg Monopoly

    Fender Rhodes

    Ableton

    OUR GEAR

    https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you'd like to help support the show you can join us onPatreon, 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:

    Instagram:@tapenotes

    YouTube:Tape Notes Podcast

    Discord: Tape Notes

    Patreon:https://discord.gg/tapenotesTape Notes

    To let us know the artists you’d like to hear, slide into our DMs, send us an email or even a letter. We’d love to hear!

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 42 min
  6. TN:188 Tame Impala

    Show notes

    John is joined by Kevin Parker, aka Tame Impala, to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Deadbeat’.

    Kevin launched the electronic and psychedelic rock-influenced Tame Impala in 2007 as a home recording project. Throughout the 2010s, Tame Impala became a huge critical and commercial success, winning two Grammys and selling out shows worldwide. Kevin has collaborated with numerous other artists including Justice, Gorillaz and Dua Lipa, and is regularly cited as one of the industry’s most influential artists. The fifth Tame Impala album, 'Deadbeat', featuring worldwide hits ‘Dracula’ and ‘Loser’, arrived in October 2025.

    Joining John from his LA studio, Kevin shares what he calls his ‘astoundingly boring’ approach to producing his famous vocals (spoiler: he’s being too modest!), how he created the ‘Deadbeat drum beat’, being inspired by The Strokes on this record, the essential plugins that shaped the album’s sound, plus he answers questions from our Patreons!

    Tracks discussed: My Old Ways, Loser

    LISTEN to ‘Deadbeat’ (Columbia Records): Deadbeat by Tame Impala

    TAPE IT

    Thanks to our friends at Tape It for supporting the podcast.

    Visit https://tape.it/tapenotes or use the promo code TAPENOTES in the app to get 20% off.

    Try the new Tape It Denoiser currently 50% off!

    IMAGINE PLUGINS BY SOUNDBETTER

    Build and sell your own plugins. Get your FREE Vocal Effect plugin here

    MUSIVERSAL

    Skip the waitlist and get your discountHERE

    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES

    https://www.linktr.ee/tapenotes

    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective - https://lynkify.in/song/sunshine-buddy/YT47TLFI

    GEAR MENTIONS

    Soundtoys Echoboy

    Soundtoys Decapitator

    Valhalla Room

    Shure SM58

    Shure SM7B

    U47

    Vermona DRM1

    DBX 165

    Roland SH-1

    Roland TR-808

    Sequential Prophet 5

    Ableton Stock Plugins

    Ableton Echo

    Ableton

    OUR GEAR

    https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you'd like to help support the show you can join us onPatreon, 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:

    Instagram:@tapenotes

    YouTube:Tape Notes Podcast

    Discord: Tape Notes

    Patreon:https://discord.gg/tapenotesTape Notes

    To let us know the artists you’d like to hear, 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:http://www.tapenotes.co.uk

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 20 min
  7. TN:187 Overmono

    Show notes

    John is joined by Ed and Tom of Overmono to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Pure Devotion’.

    Overmono are Welsh electronic duo Tom and Ed Russell. After solo careers as Truss and Tessela, they began producing together as Overmono in 2015. Known for their energetic, acclaimed live shows, they broke through with Good Lies in 2023. Their second album, Pure Devotion, arrived in 2026, exploring experimental studio recording.

    Sitting down at Strongroom Studios in London, Ed and Tom give John a step by step breakdown of their approach to vocal processing, discuss the plug-ins they use for layering synths, get into their unique approach to writing and sequencing drum patterns and reveal why their mix bus would make most audio engineers' heads spin! Plus they answer our Patreons' questions!

    Tracks discussed: Ballad, Barum, Knight in Shining Prada

    LISTEN to ‘Pure Devotion’ - XL Recordings

    TAPE IT

    Thanks to our friends at Tape It for supporting the podcast.

    Visit https://tape.it/tapenotes or use the promo code TAPENOTES in the app to get 20% off.

    Try the new Tape It Denoiser currently 50% off!

    IMAGINE PLUGINS BY SOUNDBETTER

    Build and sell your own plugins. ⁠Get your FREE Vocal Effect plugin here⁠

    MUSIVERSAL

    Skip the waitlist and get your discountHERE

    Recorded at Strongroom Studios - https://www.strongroom.com/

    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES

    https://www.linktr.ee/tapenotes

    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective - https://lynkify.in/song/sunshine-buddy/YT47TLFI

    GEAR MENTIONS

    SoundToys Little Alter Boy

    SoundToys Microshift

    SoundToys Radiator

    Acustica Audio Ruby 3

    Antares Autotune

    Waves CLA Vocals

    Liquid Sonics Cinematic Rooms

    FabFilter Pro L2

    FabFilter Pro-Q4

    Audio Punks Great British Spring

    Maag EQ4

    Soundtheory Gullfoss

    Oek Sound Soothe 2

    TAL Chorus

    UAD Ampex Tape Simulator

    UAD 1176

    PSP VintageWarmer2

    Waves L2

    Waves MV2

    Arturia Pre 1973

    Kush Clariphonic

    Diamond Cut

    Access Virus TI

    API 2500

    Black Corporation Deckard's Dream MKII

    D.W. Fearn VT-5

    Groove Synthesis 3rd Wave

    Korg MS-20

    Marshall Amp

    Elektron Monomachine

    Moog MF-108M Moogerfooger Cluster Flux

    Oberheim OB-6

    Lexicon PCM80

    Sequential Prophet-10

    Sequential Prophet-6

    Roland Jet Phaser

    Roland Jupiter

    Roland Juno-60

    Roland RE-501

    Roland SH-2

    Roland TB-303

    Rodec MX Modular Mixer

    Sherman Filterbank

    Roland Space Echo

    Roland TR-1000

    Tannoy Little Gold

    Vermona PerFourmer

    OUR GEAR

    https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you'd like to help support the show you can join us onPatreon, 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:

    Instagram:@tapenotes

    YouTube:Tape Notes Podcast

    Discord: Tape Notes

    Patreon:https://discord.gg/tapenotesTape Notes

    To let us know the artists you’d like to hear, 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:http://www.tapenotes.co.uk

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 39 min
  8. TN:186 Joy Anonymous

    Show notes

    John is joined by Hen and Louis a.k.a. Joy Anonymous, to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced a selection of tracks across their back catalog.

    Joy Anonymous formed in 2018 with the aim of spreading joy through music and live performance. Their South Bank pop-up shows during the pandemic brought widespread attention, with recordings from these performances featuring on their debut album ‘Human Again’ (2021). Since then, they have released ‘Cult Classics’ (2023), collaborated with numerous artists, and continued to release new music, including their stripped-back ‘Source’ versions. Their third record is set for release in the coming months.

    Sitting down together at Baltic Studios, the trio discuss getting inspired by the rhythm of spoken voices and their techniques for making dance music sound uniquely human, their secrets for building a club banger, how playing live with Fred again and Ezra Collective influenced tracks in the studio and much more, plus they answer questions from our Patreons!

    Tracks discussed: JOY (Nobody Ever), JOY (Like You Used To), JOY (This One)

    LISTEN to

    JOY (Nobody Ever) - 2026 From Concentrate - JOY (Nobody Ever) 7” mix by Joy Anonymous, Tamaraebi

    JOY (Like You Used To) - 2026 From Concentrate - JOY (Like You Used To) by Joy Anonymous, MOTHERBOARD

    JOY (This One) - 2026 From Concentrate - JOY (This One) by Joy Anonymous, Ezra Collective, Stush

    TAPE IT

    Thanks to our friends at Tape It for supporting the podcast.

    Visit https://tape.it/tapenotes or use the promo code TAPENOTES in the app to get 20% off.

    Try the new Tape It Denoiser currently 50% off!

    IMAGINE PLUGINS BY SOUNDBETTER

    Build and sell your own plugins. ⁠Get your FREE Vocal Effect plugin here⁠

    MUSIVERSAL

    Skip the waitlist and get your discountHERE

    Recorded at Baltic Studios - Recording Studios at Baltic

    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES

    https://www.linktr.ee/tapenotes

    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

    GEAR MENTIONS

    Excite Audio Bloom Bass

    Forever 89 Visco Plugin

    Safari Dirty Dog

    Safari Pedals Plugins

    Soundtoys MicroShift

    RC-505 Loop Station

    LHI Audio ST4B

    BOSS SP-505 Groove Sampling Workstation

    Roland TR-1000 Rhythm Creator Drum Machine

    Native Instruments Traktor Kontrol S8

    Coda Labs Szechuan Saturator

    Neumann U87

    LHI Audio ST4b Transient Shaper

    Akai MPC

    Coles 4038

    Moog Matriarch

    Soundtoys Crystallizer

    Soundtoys Decapitator

    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 onPatreon, 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:

    Instagram:@tapenotes

    YouTube:Tape Notes Podcast

    Discord: Tape Notes

    Patreon:https://discord.gg/tapenotesTape Notes

    To let us know the artists you’d like to hear, 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:http://www.tapenotes.co.uk

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 38 min
  9. TN:185 Charli xcx, A. G. Cook & Finn Keane

    Show notes

    John is joined by Charli xcx and producers A. G. Cook and Finn Keane to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Music, Fashion, Film’.

    Charli XCX is a British singer, songwriter, producer and actor. Since her debut album ‘True Romance' in 2013, Charli has released a further six records, building a fiercely loyal fanbase while continually pushing the boundaries of pop. In 2024, ‘BRAT’ propelled Charli to a new level of global recognition. The Grammy award-winning album became a cultural phenomenon and cemented her status as one of pop’s defining artists of the decade. She has since continued to explore new creative directions, returning to solo music in July 2026 with her eighth album ‘Music, Fashion, Film’, with long-time collaborators & hyperpop pioneers, producers A.G. Cook and Finn Keane.

    Sitting down together at Platoon Studios, Charli, A. G. and Finn reflect on their approach to working together post-’BRAT’ and taking a wider creative lens on this record. They discuss their recording sessions at Rue Boyer Studios in Paris and dig into the voices, stories and production techniques, including vocal processing and instrument chopping, that give the album its distinctive sonic identity. Tracks discussed: No One Lasts Forever, Card Declined, Rock Music

    LISTEN to ‘Music, Fashion, Film’ - Charli xcx Inc, Atlantic Recording Corporation

    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 20% off.

    Try the new ⁠⁠Tape It Denoiser ⁠⁠ currently 50% off!

    IMAGINE PLUGINS BY SOUNDBETTER

    Build and sell your own plugins. ⁠Get your FREE Vocal Effect plugin here⁠

    MUSIVERSAL

    Skip the waitlist and get your discount⁠⁠ HERE⁠⁠

    Recorded at Platoon Studios - ⁠⁠https://platoon.ai/⁠⁠

    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES

    ⁠⁠linktr.ee/tapenotes ⁠⁠

    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective - ⁠⁠https://lynkify.in/song/sunshine-buddy/YT47TLFI⁠⁠

    GEAR MENTIONS

    ⁠⁠DataMind Audio Concatenator⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠Kilohearts PhasePlant⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠Vermona DRM1 MKIV Drum Machine⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠Sonic Charge Bitspeek⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠Waldorf PPG Synth⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠Pro Co RAT 2 Pedal⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠Boss SD-1 Super OverDrive⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠Roland TR-606⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠Love Pedal Englishman⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠Waves Butch Vig Vocals⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠Soundtoys Little Alterboy ⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠Chase Bliss CXM Reverb Pedal⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠Boss PH-3 Phase Shifter Pedal⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠Cableguys Shaperbox Plugin⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠Moog Minimoog⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠Gamechanger Audio Third Man Records PLASMA COIL⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠Kilohearts Multipass⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠Korg MS-20⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠Prophet⁠⁠

    ⁠⁠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:

    Instagram:⁠⁠ @tapenotes⁠⁠

    YouTube:⁠⁠ Tape Notes Podcast⁠⁠

    Discord: ⁠⁠Tape Notes⁠⁠

    Patreon:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Tape Notes⁠⁠

    To let us know the artists you’d like to hear, 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

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 43 min
  10. Reissue | TN:54 Disclosure

    Show notes

    We’ve been having a look back through the Tape Notes archive to bring back some of our favourite early episodes that you may have missed. This selection is our conversation with Guy and Howard of Disclosure, digging into their 2020 record, 'ENERGY'.

    EPISODE NOTES

    Chosen from over 200 songs, the Guy and Howard break apart the individual parts and distinct sounds from the handful of tracks that made the cut. The boys take a deep dive into what it takes to make a Disclosure hit, revealing the tricks and tools they use along the way.

    Listen to find out why the best hooks are written in 20 minutes, how conversations with Pharrell led to new chord progressions, and why the brothers nearly went the same way as Oasis.

    Tracks discussed: Douha (Mali Mali), Who Knew? & Birthday

    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 20% off.

    Try the new ⁠⁠Tape It Denoiser ⁠⁠ currently 50% off!

    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES

    ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/tapenotes⁠⁠

    Listen to 'ENERGY' Island Records, Universal Music Operations Limited

    Intro Music - ⁠⁠Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective ⁠⁠

    GEAR MENTIONS

    Korg PolySix⁠

    ⁠Ableton⁠

    ⁠Native Instruments⁠

    ⁠Ample Bass⁠

    ⁠Izotope Vocal Synth⁠

    ⁠Tube-Tech CL 1B Compressor⁠

    ⁠Neve Desk⁠

    ⁠Moog Little Phatty⁠

    ⁠Roland Juno 106⁠

    ⁠Roland Boutique Synths⁠

    ⁠ Roland D50⁠

    ⁠Roland SH-101⁠

    ⁠Universal Audio Apollos

    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:

    Instagram:⁠ @tapenotes⁠

    YouTube:⁠ Tape Notes Podcast⁠

    Discord: ⁠Tape Notes⁠

    Patreon:⁠ ⁠⁠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

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 54 min
  11. TN:184 Myles Smith & Peter Fenn

    Show notes

    John is joined by Myles Smith and producer Peter Fenn to discuss how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘My Mess, My Heart, My Life’.

    Myles Smith is a singer-songwriter from Luton in the UK. Performing at local open mic nights since his teens, he built a loyal fan base and landed a record deal with Sony thanks to cover versions he posted on Tiktok. In 2024, Myles’ single ‘Stargazing’ was a viral hit and has since been streamed over one billion times globally. The momentum of ‘Stargazing’ and other early singles helped establish Myles as one of the UK's most promising new artists. He won 2024’s BBC Introducing Artist of the Year and the BRIT Rising Star Award and is only the second artist, after Lewis Capaldi, to sell out London’s 02 Arena before releasing a debut album. ‘My Mess, My Heart, My Life’, his debut, produced by longtime collaborator Peter Fenn, arrived in June 2026.

    Sitting down at Salvation Studiosin Brighton, the trio discuss “getting out of the way of the song” as their approach to production on the album and how billion-streaming hit ‘Stargazing’ evolved into something really special in the studio. They explain why they prefer to be “in the box” when it comes to mixing, and reveal how they translated Myles’ original acoustic tracks into anthemic live performances, including “Myles Sauce” vocal techniques! Plus they answer questions from our Patrons!

    Tracks discussed: Stargazing, My Mess, Dying Days

    LISTEN to ‘My Mess, My Heart, My Life’ - It’s Okay To Feel, Sony Music: My Mess, My Heart, My Life. by Myles Smith

    TAPE IT

    Thanks to our friends at Tape It for supporting the podcast.

    Visit https://tape.it/tapenotes or use the promo code TAPENOTES in the app to get 20% off.

    Try the new Tape It Denoiser currently 50% off!

    TRINITY LABAN

    Find out more aboutTrinity Laban’s new MA in Songwriting.

    MUSIVERSAL

    Skip the waitlist and get your discountHERE

    Recorded at Salvation Studios

    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES

    https://www.linktr.ee/tapenotes

    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective - https://lynkify.in/song/sunshine-buddy/YT47TLFI

    GEAR MENTIONS

    Soundtoys Decapitator

    Neural Archetype: Cory Wong X

    Audiomovers Listento

    Hofner Bass

    iZotope Vocal Synth 2

    Shure SM7B

    Neumann U87

    Oek Sound Soothe2

    Leapwing DynOne

    Valhalla Reverb

    The God Particle

    Waves NS1

    UAD Hitsville EQ

    UAD 1176

    UAD Lexicon Reverb

    UAD Capitol Chambers

    UAD Spark

    UA Apollo

    Xfer Serum

    Ebow

    Soyuz Pencil Mic

    Taylor Acoustic Guitars

    OUR GEAR

    https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you'd like to help support the show you can join us onPatreon, 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:

    Instagram:@tapenotes

    YouTube:Tape Notes Podcast

    Discord: Tape Notes

    Patreon:https://discord.gg/tapenotesTape 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:http://www.tapenotes.co.uk

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 46 min
  12. TN:183 Arlo Parks & Baird

    Show notes

    John is joined by Arlo Parks and Baird to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Ambiguous Desire’.

    Arlo Parks is an indie-pop singer-songwriter from West London. After uploading demos to BBC Introducing as a teenager, she quickly attracted industry attention. Her debut album, ‘Collapsed in Sunbeams’, arrived in 2021, establishing Arlo as one of the defining artists of her generation and earning her the Mercury Prize and two Grammy nominations. Arlo’s third record, the more electronic-focused ‘Ambiguous Desire', was released in April 2026, co-written and produced by Baird, along with additional collaborators Paul Epworth and Sampha.

    Sitting down at Strongroom Studios in London, with Baird joining online, Arlo and Baird discuss the “runaway train” of their symbiotic creative process and how they recreated the feel of the club and dancefloor through the record’s distinctive grooves. They share never previously heard freestyles, demos and vocal tracking secrets from the studio, and they answer questions from our Patreon community!

    Tracks discussed: Senses, Jetta, Heaven

    LISTEN to Ambiguous Desire: Ambiguous Desire by Arlo Parks, Transgressive Records

    TAPE IT

    Thanks to our friends at Tape It for supporting the podcast.

    Visit https://tape.it/tapenotes or use the promo code TAPENOTES in the app to get 20% off.

    Try the new Tape It Denoiser currently 50% off!

    TRINITY LABAN

    Find out more aboutTrinity Laban’s new MA in Songwriting.

    MUSIVERSAL

    Skip the waitlist and get your discountHERE

    Recorded at Platoon Studios

    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES

    https://www.linktr.ee/tapenotes

    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

    GEAR MENTIONS

    Soundtoys Microshift

    Electro Harmonix Pitch Fork Polyphonic Pitch Shifter Pedal

    Shure SM7B

    Melda MAuto Pitch

    Boss DS-1 Pedal

    Bassment Plugin

    Squier Jazz Bass

    Spitfire Audio Labs

    Roland Juno 106

    Ibanez Electro Acoustic Nylon Guitar

    Krumar Keyboard

    Logic Distortion

    Ableton Live

    OUR GEAR

    https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you'd like to help support the show you can join us onPatreon, 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:

    Instagram:@tapenotes

    YouTube:Tape Notes Podcast

    Discord: Tape Notes

    Patreon:https://discord.gg/tapenotesTape 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:http://www.tapenotes.co.uk

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 30 min
  13. TN:182 Bleachers (Jack Antonoff)

    Show notes

    Take our audience survey and enter the draw to win! https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/t/AudienceSurvey2026/

    John is joined by Jack Antonoff of Bleachers to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Everyone for Ten Minutes’. Jack Antonoff is an American producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. As a producer, he’s widely recognised for helping shape the sound of modern pop through his work with artists including Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Kendrick Lamar and many more. Alongside his production work, Jack has built a hugely successful career as a musician and songwriter, first rising to prominence with Fun in the early 2010s before founding Bleachers in 2013. Since then, Bleachers have released five studio albums and toured globally, with their latest record, Everyone for Ten Minutes, released in May 2026.

    Sitting down at Platoon Studios in London, Jack looks back on the process of bringing the album to life, digging into the recording techniques behind the record and demonstrating different directions the songs could have taken along the way. He also talks about how leading with simplicity became central to the album, answers questions from Patreons, and much more.

    Tracks discussed: i’m not joking, we should talk, dancing

    LISTEN to Everyone for Ten Minutes - everyone for ten minutes by Bleachers Dirty Hit Recordings

    TAPE IT

    Thanks to our friends at Tape It for supporting the podcast.

    Visit https://tape.it/tapenotes or use the promo code TAPENOTES in the app to get 20% off.

    Try the new Tape It Denoiser currently 50% off!

    TRINITY LABAN

    Find out more aboutTrinity Laban’s new MA in Songwriting.

    MAKE NOISE PRO AUDIO

    Use the code TAPENOTES10 for 10% off all Franklin Audio products at http://makenoiseproaudio.com/

    MUSIVERSAL

    Skip the waitlist and get your discountHERE

    Recorded at Platoon Studios - Link

    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES

    https://www.linktr.ee/tapenotes

    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective - https://lynkify.in/song/sunshine-buddy/YT47TLFI

    GEAR MENTIONS

    Sountoys Echoboy

    Gooshertz Lossy

    Shure SM58

    TC Helicon

    Korg VC10 Vocoder

    Roland Space Echo

    Ovation Guitars

    Moog Model D

    Korg M1 Drums

    Roland TR-808

    Roland Juno-106

    WEM Watkins Copicat

    Hammond B3

    E-mu Systems Sampler

    OUR GEAR

    https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you'd like to help support the show you can join us onPatreon, 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:

    Instagram:@tapenotes

    YouTube:Tape Notes Podcast

    Discord: Tape Notes

    Patreon:https://discord.gg/tapenotesTape 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:http://www.tapenotes.co.uk

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 37 min
  14. TN:181 Tom Misch

    Show notes

    Take our audience survey and enter the draw to win! https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/t/AudienceSurvey2026/

    John is joined by Tom Misch to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Full Circle’.

    Tom Misch is an English singer-songwriter and producer known for his innovative sound, blending hip-hop beats and soulful vocals along with his distinctive guitar style. His self-recorded debut album ‘Geography’ was a UK top ten hit in 2018, followed by ‘What Kinda Music’, released in 2020, with Yussef Dayes. Tom’s second solo album, ‘Full Circle’, arrived in March 2026.

    Sitting down at Strongroom Studios, the two take a deep dive into Tom’s process. They discuss his essential gear for creating guitar sounds and his go-to vocal chain techniques, Tom breaks down three tracks from his album from demos to master and also answers questions from our Patreons, plus much more!

    Tracks discussed: Red Moon, Slow Tonight, Days of Us

    LISTEN to Full Circle - Full Circle by Tom Misch, AWAL recordings

    TAPE IT

    Thanks to our friends at Tape It for supporting the podcast.

    Visit https://tape.it/tapenotes or use the promo code TAPENOTES in the app to get 20% off.

    Try the new Tape It Denoiser currently 50% off!

    TRINITY LABAN

    Find out more aboutTrinity Laban’s new MA in Songwriting.

    MUSIVERSAL

    Skip the waitlist and get your discountHERE

    Recorded at Strongroom Studios

    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES

    https://www.linktr.ee/tapenotes

    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective - https://lynkify.in/song/sunshine-buddy/YT47TLFI

    GEAR MENTIONS

    Soundtoys Echoboy

    Soundtoys Plate Reverb

    Dunlop Cry Baby Wah Pedal

    Apogee Duet Interface

    Waves Torque

    Acustica Audio El Rey Tube Compressor Plugin

    Acustica Audio Purple Two

    UAD Neve Preamp

    Electrovoice RE-20

    Moogerfooger Pedal

    John Mayer Signature Strat

    Gibson Acoustic

    Reel to Reel Tape Machine

    UAD Plate Reverb

    Logic Pro 9 Acoustic Guitar Amo

    Logic Liverpool Bass

    OUR GEAR

    https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you'd like to help support the show you can join us onPatreon, 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:

    Instagram:@tapenotes

    YouTube:Tape Notes Podcast

    Discord: Tape Notes

    Patreon:https://discord.gg/tapenotesTape 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:http://www.tapenotes.co.uk

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 11 min
  15. TN:180 Foo Fighters

    Show notes

    John is joined by Foo Fighters to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Your Favorite Toy’.

    Foo Fighters are an American rock band formed by Dave Grohl. Known for their alt-rock anthems driven by melody and personality, they have evolved into one of rock’s biggest and most influential bands. Over the past 20 years, they have released twelve studio albums, won fifteen Grammys, and in 2021 were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Their twelfth studio album, ‘Your Favorite Toy’, arrived in April 2026.

    Sitting down at Metropolis Studios in London, Dave and bassist Nate Mendel break down tracks, all the way from Dave’s demos and early drum patterns through to the final masters. The pair also discuss how they created the distinctive Foo Fighters guitar sounds on ‘Spit Shine’, share stories from recording screaming and Ilan’s perfect flams, and answer questions from our Patrons!

    Tracks discussed: Asking For A Friend, Spit Shine, If You Only Knew

    LISTEN to Your Favourite Toy: Your Favorite Toy by Foo Fighters, RCA Records.

    TAPE IT

    Thanks to our friends at Tape It for supporting the podcast.

    Visit https://tape.it/tapenotes or use the promo code TAPENOTES in the app to get 20% off.

    Try the new Tape It Denoiser currently 50% off!

    TRINITY LABAN

    Find out more aboutTrinity Laban’s new MA in Songwriting.

    QUBE

    Find out more about Qube membership here.

    MAKE NOISE PRO AUDIO

    Use the code TAPENOTES10 for 10% off all Franklin Audio products at http://makenoiseproaudio.com/

    MUSIVERSAL

    Skip the waitlist and get your discountHERE

    Recorded at Metropolis Studios

    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES

    https://www.linktr.ee/tapenotes

    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective - https://lynkify.in/song/sunshine-buddy/YT47TLFI

    GEAR MENTIONS

    API 1608 Console

    Neve BCM10

    Wizard Amps

    Fender Tone master

    Hiwatt Amps

    Freedman Amps

    Trini Lopez Guitar

    Moog Theremini

    Shure SM58 Microphone

    Gibson ES-335

    Ludwig Drums

    OUR GEAR

    https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you'd like to help support the show you can join us onPatreon, 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:

    Instagram:@tapenotes

    YouTube:Tape Notes Podcast

    Discord: Tape Notes

    Patreon:https://discord.gg/tapenotesTape 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:http://www.tapenotes.co.uk

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 17 min
  16. TN:179 TOMORA (Tom Rowlands of Chemical Brothers & AURORA)

    Show notes

    John is joined by TOMORA to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album COME CLOSER.

    TOMORA are an electronic music duo made up of The Chemical Brothers’ Tom Rowlands and AURORA. Both have excelled in their fields: The Chemical Brothers’ ten albums helped define electronic music, while Norwegian artist AURORA’s ethereal songwriting has won her a devoted worldwide following. The duo began collaborating when Aurora featured on The Chemical Brothers’ Grammy Award-winning 2019 album No Geography. In turn, Tom produced parts of AURORA’s What Happened To The Heart? (2024). That led to TOMORA and their debut album COME CLOSER.

    Sitting down at Baltic Studios, they discuss creating the album’s distinctive soundscapes and recording AURORA’s striking vocals. They also introduce John to the vintage synthesiser crucial to the album’s sound, plus answer Patreons’ questions!

    Tracks discussed: Somewhere Else, I Drink the Light, Come Closer

    LISTEN to COME CLOSER by TOMORA, AURORA, The Chemical Brothers

    TAPE IT

    Thanks to our friends at Tape It for supporting the podcast.

    Visit https://tape.it/tapenotes or use the promo code TAPENOTES in the app to get 20% off.

    QUBE

    Find out more about Qube membership here.

    MAKE NOISE PRO AUDIO

    Use the code TAPENOTES10 for 10% off all Franklin Audio products at http://makenoiseproaudio.com/

    MUSIVERSAL

    Skip the waitlist and get your discountHERE

    Recorded at Baltic - Studio 2

    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES

    https://www.linktr.ee/tapenotes

    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective - https://lynkify.in/song/sunshine-buddy/YT47TLFI

    GEAR MENTIONS

    DMX 15-80S

    Eventide H3000 Harmoniser

    Neumann U87 Microphone

    Takstar SM-9

    Octave-Plateau Voyetra 8

    MPC60

    Moog System 55

    Makenoise DPO

    Logic Pro X

    E-MU S-1200 Sampler

    EMS Synthi AKS

    Elektron Monomachine

    Cong Burn Strokes

    Ableton Live

    OUR GEAR

    https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you'd like to help support the show you can join us onPatreon, 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:

    Instagram:@tapenotes

    YouTube:Tape Notes Podcast

    Discord: Tape Notes

    Patreon:https://discord.gg/tapenotesTape 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:http://www.tapenotes.co.uk

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 31 min
  17. TN:178 Holly Humberstone & Rob Milton

    Show notes

    John is joined by Holly Humberstone and Rob Milton to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album Cruel World.

    Holly Humberstone is a singer-songwriter from Grantham, England. After early support from BBC Introducing, her debut EP ‘Falling Asleep at the Wheel’ gained widespread attention during the pandemic, earning a BRIT Rising Star win and two Ivor Novello nominations. Her debut album 'Paint My Bedroom Black’, arrived in 2023, and reached the UK top 5, while tours with Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo boosted her global profile. Her second album, Cruel World, was released in April 2026, working with long-time collaborator, producer Rob Milton.

    Sitting down at Baltic Studios, the trio discuss the record’s influences, from The 1975 to Fleetwood Mac. They break down ‘To Love Somebody’ from early voice notes to final master, explore harmony techniques on ‘Cruel World’, and Holly reflects on how industry pressures shaped ‘Beauty Pageant’, alongside sharing their essential plug-ins and gear.

    Tracks discussed: To Love Somebody, Cruel World, Beauty Pageant

    LISTEN to Cruel World here - Cruel World by Holly Humberstone, Polydor Records

    TAPE IT

    Thanks to our friends at Tape It for supporting the podcast.

    Visit https://tape.it/tapenotes or use the promo code TAPENOTES in the app to get 20% off.

    QUBE

    Find out more about Qube membership here.

    MAKE NOISE PRO AUDIO

    Use the code TAPENOTES10 for 10% off all Franklin Audio products at http://makenoiseproaudio.com/

    MUSIVERSAL

    Skip the waitlist and get your discountHERE

    Recorded at Baltic - Studio 2

    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES

    https://www.linktr.ee/tapenotes

    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

    GEAR MENTIONS

    Roland Juno-60 Synthesizer

    The God Particle (Plugin) by Cradle

    Soundtoys Decapitator

    Sequential Prophet 5 Synthesizer

    Arturia DX-7

    Soundtoys PanMan

    Pocket Piano

    Critter & Guitari Organelle

    Splice

    AMS RMX16 Reverb

    Rotor Solo Cello plugin

    Korg ARP 2600 M

    OUR GEAR

    https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you'd like to help support the show you can join us onPatreon, 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:

    Instagram:@tapenotes

    YouTube:Tape Notes Podcast

    Discord: Tape Notes

    Patreon:https://discord.gg/tapenotesTape 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:http://www.tapenotes.co.uk

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 41 min
  18. Reissue | TN:49 Enter Shikari

    Show notes

    We’ve been having a look back through the Tape Notes archive to bring back some of our favourite early episodes that you may have missed. This selection is our conversation with Enter Shikari's Rou Reynolds, digging into their 2020 record, 'Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible'.

    EPISODE NOTES

    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 ‘Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible’.

    As the band’s 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, we’re shown how every aspect of a track has a purpose and meaning – with detailed rhythms and distinctive sounds reflecting the state of the world in their own way.

    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.

    Tracks discussed: THE GREAT UNKNOWN, Waltzing Off the Face of the Earth (1. Crescendo), satellites* *

    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES

    ⁠https://linktr.ee/tapenotes⁠

    ⁠ 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 Collective ⁠

    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

    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

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    1 hr 41 min
  19. TN:177 Imogen Heap

    Show notes

    John sits down with Imogen Heap to talk about how she wrote, recorded and produced the EP IAM _ _ _.

    Imogen Heap is a British composer, artist, and producer, widely regarded as a pioneer in electronic pop and music technology. Over the years, her music has evolved from alternative to electronica, producing acclaimed albums such as Speak for Yourself and Ellipse, and collaborating with artists including Taylor Swift and Jon Hopkins. She consistently integrates technology into her practice, developing innovations like the Mi.Mu gloves and Mogen, an AI voice model that plays a central role in her 2025 EP ‘I AM__’.

    Joining Imogen at her Hideaway Studio, the conversation covers everything from her visceral experiences with noise music artists, to her pioneering use of AI and the latest developments with Mogen, exploring how technology continues to shape her creative process and collaborations.

    Tracks discussed: What Have You Done To Me?, Noise, Aftercare

    LISTEN to IAM _ _ _ here: I AM __ by Imogen Heap, Megaphonic Records

    TAPE IT

    Thanks to our friends at Tape It for supporting the podcast.

    Visit https://tape.it/tapenotes or use the promo code TAPENOTES in the app to get 20% off.

    QUBE

    Find out more about Qube membership here.

    MAKE NOISE PRO AUDIO

    Use the code TAPENOTES10 for 10% off all Franklin Audio products at http://makenoiseproaudio.com/

    MUSIVERSAL

    Skip the waitlist and get your discountHERE

    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES

    https://www.linktr.ee/tapenotes

    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective - https://lynkify.in/song/sunshine-buddy/YT47TLFI

    GEAR MENTIONS

    Soma Lyra

    Wave Arts Panorama 7

    Native Instruments Massive

    Euroracks

    Ableton Live

    Antares Autotune

    Avid Pro Tools

    Splice

    OUR GEAR

    https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you'd like to help support the show you can join us onPatreon, 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:

    Instagram:@tapenotes

    YouTube:Tape Notes Podcast

    Discord: Tape Notes

    Patreon:https://discord.gg/tapenotesTape 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:http://www.tapenotes.co.uk

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 51 min
  20. TN:176 Fred again..

    Show notes

    John is joined once again by Fred Gibson, better known as Fred again.., to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced the album USB.

    Fred Gibson is an award-winning British songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer whose musical journey began collaborating with legendary producer Brian Eno at just 16. Since then Fred has established himself as a globally successful solo artist.

    Alongside his studio output, from his acclaimed ‘Actual Life’ trilogy to the record ‘ten days’ Fred’s live shows have become global events, from Glastonbury to arena-scale collaborations, notably alongside FourTet and Skrillex, while his evolving USB project culminated in sold-out international performances and four homecoming shows at London’s Alexandra Palace in 2026.

    Sitting down once again at Fred’s house, Fred and John discuss the unlikely inspirations behind the songs on USB, sharing his advice for aspiring musicians and producers, the gear essential to his process and much more! Plus Fred answers questions from our Patreon subscribers!

    Tracks discussed: solo, ..FEISTY, HARDSTYLE 2

    LISTEN to USB here - USB by Fred again..,

    Atlantic Records

    TAPE IT

    Thanks to our friends at Tape It for supporting the podcast.

    Visit https://tape.it/tapenotes or use the promo code TAPENOTES in the app to get 20% off.

    QUBE

    Find out more about Qube membership here.

    MAKE NOISE PRO AUDIO

    Use the code TAPENOTES10 for 10% off all Franklin Audio products at http://makenoiseproaudio.com/

    MUSIVERSAL

    Skip the waitlist and get your discountHERE

    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES

    https://www.linktr.ee/tapenotes

    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective - https://lynkify.in/song/sunshine-buddy/YT47TLFI

    GEAR MENTIONS

    Waves SoundShifter

    Native Instruments Reaktor 6

    Celemony Melodyne

    Xfer Records Serum 2

    Fruityloops (FL Studio)

    LHI Audio ST4b

    Soundtoys FilterFreak

    Apple Logic Pro

    Apple Logic Pro Retro Synth

    Apple Logic Pro Chromaverb

    Apple Logic Pro Overdrive saturator

    Apple Logic Pro Spring Box delay pedal

    Apple Logic Pro Tremolo effect

    Apple Logic Pro ES2

    OUR GEAR

    https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

    HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

    If you'd like to help support the show you can join us onPatreon, 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:

    Instagram:@tapenotes

    YouTube:Tape Notes Podcast

    Discord: Tape Notes

    Patreon:https://discord.gg/tapenotesTape 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:http://www.tapenotes.co.uk

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 43 min