Tape Notes

In this episode John makes multiple trips to Brain Yard Studios to catch up with Mystery Jets frontman Blaine Harrison and producer Matt Twaites to talk about how they recorded and produced the album A Billion Heartbeats. 

Recorded in the room where the album was conceived, Blaine and Matt give us full access to the Mystery Jets creative process, from tales of protests, marches and relief work, to their quest not sound too much like the Backstreet Boys. We get to hear an array of demos and phone recordings including the sound of Matt’s unborn son’s heartbeat which was crafted into a drum loop. 

Listen to find out what how Blaine ended up in an Icelandic Spa with Bjork, what images he looks at to get the best vocal take and who he turns to when struggling with lyrics.  

Songs discussed: Screwdriver, Wrong Side of the Tracks, A Billion Heartbeats

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES 

https://linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to 'A Billion Heartbeats' here.

'A Billion Heartbeats' - Mystery Jets, Caroline International

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective 

GEAR MENTIONS

AKG C414

Digitech Space Station

Fender Amps

Gamechanger Audio Plasma Distortion Pedal

Marshall Amps

Mellotron

Moog

Roland Juno 106

Boss RC-300 Loop Station

Selmer Amps

Sequential Pro One 

Sequential OB6

Shure SM57

Zoom Recorders

Logic Pro

OUR GEAR

https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear 

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This week John is joined by Ezra Collective’s Femi, TJ and James to talk about how they wrote and recorded their debut album You Can’t Steal My Joy. 

Hot off the heels winning 'Jazz Album of the Year' at the World Wide Awards, the boys reflect upon how the album took shape, from the early rehearsals in a dodgy studio in Croatia to spending two days on a boat recording the whole thing. The boys play us previously unheard demos capturing the moments lightning struck, from a very rough voice memo to a more elaborate Garage Band creation knocked together on the top deck of a bus. 

Listen to find out how the band learns songs from street beat boxing, the challenge of writing an album for the ‘shuffle generation’, and which seat on the bus James sits in when writing on Garage Band. 

Tracks discussed: You Can't Steal My Joy, Quest For Coin, Why You Mad?

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES 

https://linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to 'You Can't Steal My Joy' here.

'You Can't Steal My Joy' - Enter The Jungle Records

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective 

GEAR MENTIONS

Garageband

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): 

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In this episode, John is joined by Guy Garvey and Craig Potter from Elbow, to talk about how ‘Giants of All Sizes’ was written and recorded. 

Craig and Guy look back at some of the sessions tracked over a two year period, reflecting on what was an emotionally challenging time for Guy and how this influenced the writing and mood of the record - something grittier and more contemplative than previous Elbow albums. We get to hear early demos and track break breakdowns, plus bags of wisdom from the big man. 

Listen to find out how the band channelled their feminine energy, how a monorail journey ended up as a drumbeat, and what happens if you drunkenly text Elvis Costello in the middle of the night. 

Songs: Seven Veils, Dexter and Sinister, On Deronda Road 

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES 

https://linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to 'Giants of All Sizes' here.

'Giants of All Sizes' - Polydor Records

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective 

GEAR MENTIONS

Pig Nose Guitar

Audio Ease Altiverb

Coles 4038 Ribbon Mic

Ebow

Moog Theremin

Neumann U87

RME Babyface Pro

Yamaha 4TRK Recorder

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): 

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In this episode John is joined by twin brothers Jack and George Barnett, AKA experimental art-rock music duo These New Puritans, to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Inside The Rose’. 

The boys look back on making music together in their attic as children and uncover some of the many sketches and demos versions created whilst recording the album. We get to hear the moment Jack woke from a dream with a fresh melody composed within his slumber in addition to their general philosophy on writing and recording as TNP. 

Listen to find out why jack had to avoid barking attack dogs whilst recording in Berlin, what Harmonic Re-synthesis is, and why some sessions were hospital inducing experiences. 

Tracks discussed: Infinity Vibraphones, Where the Trees are on Fire, A-R-P

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES 

https://linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to 'Inside The Rose' here.

'Inside The Rose' - These New Puritans, Infectious Music Ltd., BMG 

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective 

GEAR MENTIONS

Sibelius

Logic Pro

Rhodes

Shure Mics

OUR GEAR

https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear 

KEEP UP TO DATE

For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on: 

Instagram: @tapenotes 

Twitter: @tapenotes 

Facebook: @tapenotespodcast  

YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast

Discord: Tape Notes

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

Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk 

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In a city spanning episode, John catches up with Friendly Fires along with super star producer Mark Ralph (Tom Walker, Clean Bandit, Years & Years) at Iguana Studios and Mark’s Studio, Club Ralph, to talk about how they recorded and produced the album 'Inflorescent'. 

The boys explore everything from what survived in the demos recorded in Ed’s mum’s house, to how blending recording techniques with synths and drum machines helped them create their joyful blend of house and funk. 

Hear how tracking each individual drum and ‘talent boosting’ your own performances is never a bad thing, and how Rick Astley and Barry White left their mark the record. 

Tracks discussed: Love Like Waves, Can’t Wait Forever, Almost Midnight 

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES 

https://linktr.ee/tapenotes

Listen to 'Inflorescent' here.

'Inflorescent' - Friendly Fires, Polydor Records, Universal Music Operations Limited

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective 

GEAR MENTIONS

ARP Odyssey

ARP 2600

CodeKnobs Prophet Editor Software

Coles 4038 Ribbon Mic

Electro-Voice RE20

Kemper Profiler Rack

Korg MS-20

Moog Model D

Oberheim DMX Drum Machine

Peavey T-40 Bass

Rob Papen Sub Boom Bass Plugin

Roland JD-800

Roland TR-808

Roland TR-09 

Roland TR-909

Roland SH-101

Roland Juno 60

Scaler Plugin

Sequential Prophet 6

Sequential Prophet 5

Sennheiser MD-421

Sherman Rodec Restyler Filter

Simmons Drum Machine

Spectrasonics Omnisphere

SSL

Xfer Cthulhu

Logic Pro

OUR GEAR

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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): 

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Returning for another season, John is joined by electronic music producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Alex Crossan A.K.A Mura Masa.

Catching up at Iguana Studios, Alex invites us behind the curtain and reveals how his latest album R.Y.C was recorded and produced. We get to hear intimate track breakdowns - including a brilliant dive into the early takes of the Slowthai collaboration ‘Deal Wiv It’ - plus copious amounts of philosophical musings on what it takes to write a Mura Masa track and music production in general.

Listen to find out why a Patrick Fitzgerald sample worked it’s way into ‘Deal Wiv It’, when you really know a track is finished, and why Alex’s girlfriend is a wise lady.

Tracks discussed: Deal Wiv It, Live Like We’re Dancing, Teenage Headache Dreams.

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES 

https://linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to 'R.Y.C.' here.

'R.Y.C.' - Anchor Point Records, Polydor Records, Universal Music Operations Limited

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective 

GEAR MENTIONS

Soundtoys Little Plate

Goodhertz Wow Control

Sequential Prophet

Korg MS-20

Kemper Profiler Rack

Line 6 Pedals

Soyuz 017 Tube Microphone

Rhodes

Ableton

OUR GEAR

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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): 

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In this episode we take a look back at some of the best bits from season 3. If you haven't heard every episode from the last season, this is a good way to introduce yourself to some of the artists and producers we've had on, hearing their stories, tips and general philosophy on writing and recording. Have a listen, you never know what you might learn!

You'll hear highlights from:

Ibeyi & Richard Russel (Live from Miloco Studios)

Kate Tempest & Dan Carey

Nitin Sawhney

Floating Points

Tune-Yards

Jamie Lidell

Cold War Kids & Lars Stalfors

The Lumineers & Simone Felice

Easy Life & Rob Milton (Live at Latitude Festival)

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES 

https://linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective 

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): 

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Back in July we were invited to Latitude Festival to take part in their podcast stage. In this live recording, we caught up with Murray from Easy Life and Rob Milton to talk about how they write and record music together.

After a late entrance from Murray (waylaid somewhere on site!) the boys discuss their working relationship and what it takes to create an Easy Life tune.

We learn how the boys ended up working together from unlikely beginnings, why it’s crucial to ‘get it down’ when melodies are flowing, and why Murray maybe isn’t as good at the trumpet as he once thought.

Tracks Discussed: Pockets, Earth

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES 

https://linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to 'Pockets' here.

Listen to 'Earth' here.

'Pockets' & 'Earth' - Easy Co Limited, Island Records, Universal Music Operations Limited

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

Nord Keyboards

Shure SM7B

Logic Pro

OUR GEAR

https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear 

KEEP UP TO DATE

For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on: 

Instagram: @tapenotes 

Twitter: @tapenotes 

Facebook: @tapenotespodcast  

YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast

Discord: Tape Notes

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

Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk 

HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :) 

Donate

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In this episode John ventures up to Spitfire Audio studios to catch up with Wes and Jeremiah from The Lumineers and producer Simone Felice to talk about how they recorded and produced the album III. 

The guys offer up an epic dissection of their music covering every aspect of the creative process. We’re treated to intimate phone recordings that captured the lightning strike moments when songs were born, copious demo versions detailing their subsequent honing and development, and track breakdowns of the finished songs. It’s a veritable masterclass in songwriting and music production. 

Listen to find out why the boys are ‘perfectionists for imperfection’, hear the moment Gloria was conceived when nature called during a bike ride in the mountains, and how sometimes the demo version is all you need. 

Tracks discussed: Gloria, Leader Of The Landslide, Salt And The Sea 

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES 

https://linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to 'III' here.

'III' - The Lumineers, Decca Records, Universal Music Operations Limited

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective 

GEAR MENTIONS

Schoeps Shotgun Mic

Soundtoys Little Plate

ProTools

OUR GEAR

https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear 

KEEP UP TO DATE

For behind the scenes photos and the latest updates, make sure to follow us on: 

Instagram: @tapenotes 

Twitter: @tapenotes 

Facebook: @tapenotespodcast  

YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast

Discord: Tape Notes

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

Visit our website to join our mailing list: www.tapenotes.co.uk 

HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :) 

Donate

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