Tape Notes

Tape Notes

By In The WoodsMusicMusic Interviews
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  • Typical duration

    102 min

    per episode

Based on Podcast App listening data

Tape Notes episodes

  • TN:173 Emma-Jean Thackray

    John is joined by English musician, songwriter, producer and DJ Emma-Jean Thackray to talk about how she wrote, recorded and produced the album Weirdo.

    Emma-Jean Thackray is a musical polymath whose creative approach was shaped by playing in brass bands as a child in West Yorkshire and studying jazz composition and performance at university. Her 2021 debut album 'Yellow' topped the UK Jazz Albums Chart and won Jazz FM Album of the Year. Her second album, 'Weirdo', followed in 2025 and was nominated for that year’s Mercury Prize. Entirely written, recorded, performed and produced by Emma-Jean, the record ultimately became a deeply personal grief diary following the sudden death of her partner.

    Sitting down at Strongroom Studios in London, Emma-Jean and John delve into how to make yourself like a whole band when you’re just one artist in a room, including layering and techniques for vocal recording and processing. Emma-Jean talks about exploring death and grief musically on ‘Maybe Nowhere’, being a perfectionist, and why a distortion pedal is the most highly insured piece she owns!


    Tracks discussed: Wanna Die, Save Me, Maybe Nowhere


    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.


    Recorded at Strongroom Studios


    QUBE

    Find out more about Qube membership here.


    MAKE NOISE PRO AUDIO

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


    LISTEN to ‘Weirdo’ here - https://lynkify.in/album/weirdo/XTgkV1p8 

    Warner Music UK Limited and Brownswood Music Limited


    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

    linktr.ee/tapenotes 


    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective


    GEAR MENTIONS

    Valhalla Super Massive

    Valhalla Plugins

    Prophet 5 V Soft Synth

    dbx 160 Compressor

    Telefunken ELA M Mic

    Moog

    Ampeg Bass Amp

    Fender P-Bass

    Bidirectional Ribbon Mics (Coles 4038)

    Boss RE202 Space Echo

    Fender Semi Hollow Telecaster

    Fender Blues Junior

    Roland SH-101

    Fender Rhodes

    Neve 1073 Clone


    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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 39 min
  • TN:172 Artemas & Toby Daintree

    John sits down with Artemas and producer Toby Daintree to discuss how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘LOVERCORE’.


    Artemas is an English artist and producer. As a teenager he taught himself music production and soon began releasing his dark, alternative pop music, inspired by grunge and new wave sounds. The viral hit ‘if u think i’m pretty’, released in 2024, made him a global star and he released mixtapes ‘pretty’ and ‘yustyna’ the same year. 2024 also saw Artemas’s second viral success with ‘i like the way you kiss me’, which was number one in eight countries. Artemas’s fourth release, ‘LOVERCORE’, with longtime collaborator and producer Toby Daintree, arrived in October 2025.


    In this episode, John is joined by Artemas and Toby Daintree at Baltic Studios. The trio discuss techniques for processing vocals and samples. They reveal their top plugins and other software they use to create Artemas’s distinctive sound. They also break down the track ‘i like the way you kiss me’ from its earliest beginnings to Tiktok viral hit.


    Tracks discussed:  if u think i'm pretty, I like the way you kiss me, take it easy on me


    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.


    Recorded at Baltic Studios.


    MUSIVERSAL

    Skip the waitlist and get your discount HERE


    LISTEN to ‘Lovercore’ here.

    ‘Artemas’


    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

    linktr.ee/tapenotes 


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


    GEAR MENTIONS

    SoundToys Decapitator

    SoundToys Echoboy

    Waves Vocal Doubler

    Slate Digital Fresh Air

    Zynaptiq Pitchmap

    Oeksound Soothe 2

    Xfer Serum

    Arturia Mello-Fi

    UAD SSL Bus Compressor

    UAD Moog Minimoog

    UAD PolyMAX

    UAD Brigade Chorus

    UA Apollo

    XLN Audio RC-20

    Sonic Academy ANA 2.5 Software Synthesizer

    Omnisphere

    PORTAL by Output

    Telefunken ELA M251E

    Fender Rhodes

    Sequential Prophet

    Korg Opsix

    Neumann TLM 103

    Genelec 8010

    CapCut

    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 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 

    Twitter: @tapenotes 

    Facebook: @tapenotespodcast  

    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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 49 min
  • Reissue | TN:46 Rina Sawayama & Clarence Clarity

    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 Rina Sawayama and producer Clarence Clarity.


    EPISODE NOTES

    In this episode, John catches up with Rina Sawayama and producer Clarence Clarity to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced Rina’s debut album ‘Sawayama’.  

     

    Diving deep into the almost 100 track sessions, Rina and Clarence reflect on how the album took shape, from writing demos in Rina’s bedroom to spending months in an LA studio. We hear the pair’s philosophies on creativity and the hustle of making it in the world of music, along with the secrets in crafting their fusion of R&B, noughties pop and nu-metal.  

     

    Listen to find out why Rina tries includes at least 10 hooks in each song, how Clarence tried to match a trap beat to Rina’s mum’s Beethoven performance and which member of The 1975 made a secret appearance on the record. 

     

    Tracks discussed: Dynasty, Love Me 4 Me, Snakeskin

     

    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES 

    https://linktr.ee/tapenotes 

     

    Listen to 'Sawayama' here.

    'Sawayama' - Dirty Hit

    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective 

     

    GEAR MENTIONS

    Ableton

    Sontronics Saturn

    Soundelux U99


    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 

    Twitter: @tapenotes 

    Facebook: @tapenotespodcast  

    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


    TAPE NOTES TEAM

    John Kennedy

    Will Brown 

    Tim Adam-Smith 

    Will Lyons 

    Nico Varanese 

    Guy Nicholls 

    Jessica Clucas

    Ali Lewis

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

    1 hr 55 min
  • TN:171 Adam Buxton & Joe Mount

    In this special Xmas episode, John is joined by Adam Buxton and producer Joe Mount to discuss how they wrote, recorded and produced the album Buckle Up.

    Adam Buxton is a podcaster, actor, comedian and musician, best known for his long-running, award-winning Adam Buxton Podcast. Since launching in 2015, he’s become one of the UK’s most popular podcasters, with guests ranging from Paul McCartney to Tom Hanks. He’s also appeared in films including Hot Fuzz and Stardust, and published two acclaimed memoirs. With his popular jingles at the heart of segments on his podcast and mid-2000s radio show, Adam began work on his debut record Buckle Up in 2022, enlisting Metronomy’s Joe Mount as producer.

    Sitting down at Strongroom Studios, Adam and Joe dig into the sounds and ideas behind Buckle Up, exploring how to balance comedy with more serious songwriting, and why stripping back production can help reveal something more authentic.


    Tracks discussed: Dancing in The Middle, My Feelings, Skip This Track, Tea Towel


    GEAR GIVEAWAY COMPETITION

    Join the Christmas Giveaway on the Tape Notes Patreon Page


    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.


    QUBE

    Get 20% off at Qube Studio: https://www.theqube.com/


    MAKENOISE PRO AUDIO

    Get 20% off all Franklin Audio products at https://makenoiseproaudio.com/


    MUSIVERSAL

    Skip the waitlist and get your discount HERE


    LISTEN to ‘Buckle Up’ here: https://lynkify.in/album/buckle-up/RmIMrCSB 

    Decca Records


    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

    linktr.ee/tapenotes 

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


    GEAR MENTIONS

    The God Particle

    Soniccouture

    Native Instruments

    Roland System 100

    Yamaha NS-10 Speakers

    Yamaha QY-20

    Yamaha QY-70

    Yamaha QY-100

    Fender Stratocaster

    Tupperware

    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: 

    Patreon: Tape Notes

    YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast

    Instagram: @tapenotes 

    Discord: 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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 47 min
  • TN:170 Haim & Rostam Batmanglij

    John is joined by Haim and producer Rostam Batmanglij to discuss how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘I Quit’.

    Haim are an American pop-rock band from Los Angeles, made up of multi-instrumentalist sisters Danielle, Este and Alana Haim. Playing together in their family band growing up, they formed Haim in 2007 and released their debut EP, ‘Forever’, in 2012. 

    Their debut album, ‘Days Are Gone’, arrived in 2013 and earned them a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. Their follow-up records, 2017’s ‘Something to Tell You’ and 2020’s ‘Women in Music Pt. III’, both received widespread critical acclaim, with ‘Women in Music Pt. III’ also securing a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. Haim released their fourth album, ‘I Quit’, in June this year, once again collaborating with longtime producer Rostam.

    In this episode, John is joined by Danielle and Rostam, from Rostam’s LA studio where much of the album was recorded. The trio discuss everything from garageband demos to recording and reamping drums, as well as techniques for producing Haim’s distinctive vocals and being influenced by multiple genres and sounds.

    Tracks discussed: Relationships, Down to be wrong, Now it’s time, Everybody’s trying to figure me out


    GEAR GIVEAWAY COMPETITION

    Join the Christmas Giveaway on the Tape Notes Patreon Page


    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.


    QUBE

    Get 20% off at Qube Studio: https://www.theqube.com/


    MAKENOISE PRO AUDIO

    Get 20% off all Franklin Audio products at https://makenoiseproaudio.com/


    MUSIVERSAL

    Skip the waitlist and get your discount HERE


    LISTEN to ‘I Quit’ here: I quit by HAIM, 

    Polydor Records


    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

    linktr.ee/tapenotes 

    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective


    GEAR MENTIONS

    D16 Repeater Delay

    Waves Soundshifter Plugin

    E-Mu Emulator ii Vintage Synth

    Solaris Synth

    Universal Audio AMS-DMX

    Roland Juno

    Gretsch Round Badge Drums

    Ludwig Steel Snare

    SPL Transient Designer

    Korg Trident

    Eventide Harmonizer

    UnderToneAudio Unfairchild

    Korg A5 Multi-Effects Pedalboard

    E-Bow

    Oberheim OB-8 Synthesiser

    Electro-Voice RE20

    RCA KU-3A Vintage

    Arturia Mellotron

    GarageBand


    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: 


    Patreon: Tape Notes

    YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast

    Instagram: @tapenotes 

    Discord: 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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 54 min
  • TN:169 Parcels

    John is joined by Parcels to discuss how they wrote, recorded and produced the album “LOVED”. 

    Parcels are an Australian electropop band consisting of Jules Crommelin, Louie Swain, Noah Hill, Patrick Hetherington and Anatole Serret. After moving from Australia to Berlin, Parcels signed a deal with French label Kitsuné. However, it was their collaboration with seminal dance duo Daft Punk, who produced their 2017 single “Overnight”, that led to their breakthrough. Since then the band have released three studio albums, their self-titled debut in 2018, and the ambitious double LP ‘Day/Night’, in 2021. Parcels’ third album “LOVED”, released in September 2025, draws on the five-piece’s eclectic music taste, taking their signature disco sound in new directions. 

    In this episode, John is joined by Jules and Patrick in LA. The trio discuss the band’s early years busking in Australia, being inspired by 2000s pop songs in their youth, Parcels’ techniques for creating their signature multi-track vocal harmonies and how their vocals and instrumentation are designed to make songs sound like memories. 

    Tracks discussed: Tobeloved, Ifyoucall, Iwanttobeyourlightagain


    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.


    QUBE

    Get 20% off at Qube Studio: https://www.theqube.com/


    MAKENOISE PRO AUDIO

    Get 20% off all Franklin Audio products at https://makenoiseproaudio.com/


    MUSIVERSAL

    Skip the waitlist and get your discount HERE


    LISTEN to ‘LOVED’ HERE: LOVED by Parcels

    ‘ Because Music SAS’


    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

    linktr.ee/tapenotes 

    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective


    GEAR MENTIONS

    Korg M1 

    Shure SM7B

    Logic Pro

    Wurlitzer

    Moog Synth

    Roland Juno

    Neumann U87

    Roland SH-101

    Fender Rhodes

    Critter & Guitari Organelle

    Shure SM57

    Neumann U67

    Valhalla Reverbs


    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: 

    Patreon: Tape Notes

    YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast

    Instagram: @tapenotes 

    Discord: 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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 31 min
  • TN:168 Sam Gellaitry

    John is joined by Scottish musician and producer Sam Gellaitry.

    Described as “your favourite producer’s favourite producer”, Sam’s innovative, genre-blending electronic music and superb production skills have earned him a loyal fan following and industry respect over the past decade. 

    Sam signed his first deal, with XL Recordings, at just 18. While early EPs were purely instrumental, Sam started to incorporate his own vocals on fifth EP, IV (2021). The track ‘Assumptions’ from the EP became his biggest hit to date, reaching No. 5 on the US Dance Chart. In 2022, Sam’s collaboration with Pink Pantheress, ‘Picture in my Mind’, brought him to mainstream attention. The same year, he released his mixtape VF VOL II and was named by EDM as one of the 10 best producers of the year. Sam has toured extensively with artists including Kaytranada and Justice whilst continuing to release singles and selling out a multiple-night residency at cult London club Phonox. Sam’s debut album, ‘ANYWHERE HERE IS PERFECT’ was released on 7th November 2025.

    Sitting down at Baltic Studios in London, Sam talks John through how the gear he uses has evolved over the years and the bespoke approaches he takes to create his unique, 80s-influenced sound. Sam talks about how having synaesthesia (experiencing music as colours) since childhood has been central to his creative process, his techniques for producing vocals and string sounds on the album, and much more!

    Tracks discussed: ON&ON, DON’T TRY, YOU MIGHT FIND THE ONE


    Recorded at Baltic - Studio 1


    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.


    LANDR 

    Get 20% off LANDR Distribution and Studio at landr.com/tapenotes


    MUSIVERSAL

    Skip the waitlist and get your discount HERE


    LISTEN to ‘ANYWHERE HERE IS PERFECT’ here


    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

    linktr.ee/tapenotes 

    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective


    GEAR MENTIONS

    Reason Studios

    Ableton Live

    Magix Acid Pro

    Audacity

    FL Studio

    UVI Falcon

    UVI Vintage Vault

    NI Kontakt

    RME Babyface

    RME UFX ii

    Shure SM58

    Neve 1073

    Brusfri Klevgrand

    Neumann U87

    Furman power supply

    Antares Autotune

    Klevgrand Korvpressor

    Klevgrand De-Esser

    Soundtoys Echoboy

    Emu Emulator 2

    Digitech Talker

    Sequential OB-6

    Moog One

    Moog Matriarch

    Fender Mustang

    Fender Jaguar

    Fender Mustang Bass

    EastWest Quantum Leap

    Virharmonic Bohemian Violin


    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: 

    Patreon: Tape Notes

    YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast

    Instagram: @tapenotes 

    Discord: 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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 37 min
  • TN:167 Kae Tempest & Fraser T. Smith

    John is joined by Kae Tempest and Fraser T. Smith to discuss how they wrote and recorded the album “Self-Titled”.

    Kae Tempest is an English recording artist and author. He began his career performing at open mic nights around London, quickly gaining a reputation for his powerful lyrical performances blending rap and spoken word poetry. Between 2008 and 2012 he toured internationally with his band Sound of Rum, launching a solo career with debut album ‘Everybody Down’ in 2014. It and second album ‘Let Them Eat Chaos’, released in 2015, were both nominated for the Mercury Prize. Kae has since released three further solo albums, including BRIT Award-nominated ‘The Line Is A Curve’. Kae is widely recognised as one of the UK alternative scene’s most essential voices, acclaimed for his exceptional lyricism and acute social commentary. Both are particularly evident on his fifth studio album, ‘Self Titled’, released earlier this year. ‘Self-Titled’ is Kae’s first collaboration with multi-award winning UK producer, songwriter and musician Fraser T. Smith.

    The trio sit down at Fraser’s studio, Utopia, where the album was written and recorded, to discuss developing creative harmony working together for the first time, the process of building a song using ProTools, the influence of drum textures and bass sounds on the record, how one creative choice can completely change the direction of a track and much more.

    Tracks discussed: Statue In The Square, Forever, Till Morning


    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.


    LANDR 

    Get 20% off LANDR Distribution and Studio at landr.com/tapenotes


    MUSIVERSAL

    Skip the waitlist and get your discount HERE


    LISTEN to ‘Self Titled’ here - Self Titled by Kae Tempest


    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

    linktr.ee/tapenotes 

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


    GEAR MENTIONS

    Ableton Live

    Avid Pro Tools

    Soundtoys Phase Mistress

    Valhalla reverb

    XLN RC-20 Retro Colour

    Akai MPC4000

    Akai MPC-X

    Steven Slate Trigger

    Oeksound Soothe 2

    Soundtoys FilterFreak

    AMS RMX16

    Roland SH-101

    Boss RE-202 Space Echo Pedal

    Moog Voyager

    Soundtoys Decapitator

    Pultec EQP-1A

    Mellotron

    Shure SM7B

    Manley Gold microphone

    Tubetech CL 1B

    Undertone Audio Unfairchild

    Eventide H3000 Harmoniser

    Eventide MicroPitch

    Undertone Audio MPDI-4

    Waves H-Delay


    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

    Patreon: Tape Notes

    Discord: Tape Notes

    To let us know the artists you’d like to hear, slide into our DMs, message us on Patreon, 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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 56 min
  • TN:166 Hayley Williams & Daniel James

    John is joined by Hayley Williams and producer Daniel James to discuss how they wrote and recorded the album ‘Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party’. 

    Hayley Williams is an American pop-punk and rock musician. She began writing songs in her early teens, signing a deal with Atlantic Records at just 15 years old. The label wanted her to be a solo artist, but Hayley had other ideas, instead forming the band Paramore with three school friends. Paramore released their first album ‘All We Know Is Falling’ when Hayley was still only 16. They quickly built a loyal fanbase as audiences resonated with the energy and passion in their music. The band went on to release five more albums and win numerous awards including three Grammys. In 2020 Hayley released her first, highly acclaimed solo album ‘Petals for Armor’. Sophomore album ‘FLOWERS for VASES/descansos’ followed in 2021 to further critical praise. ‘Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party’, released in August this year on Hayley’s own label Post Atlantic, is her third collaboration with musician, producer and longtime friend Daniel James.

    In this episode, Hayley and Daniel sit down with John at Platoon Studios to discuss how it felt setting out to record songs without an album in mind, how writing solo music differs from writing for Paramore for Hayley, the record’s diverse influences, the vocal recording techniques they used and much more. 

    Tracks discussed: Kill Me, Love Me Different, Parachute


    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.


    LANDR 

    Get 20% off LANDR Distribution and Studio at landr.com/tapenotes


    MUSIVERSAL

    Skip the waitlist and get your discount HERE


    LISTEN to ‘Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party’ here: Ego Death At A Bachelorette Party by Hayley Williams


    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

    linktr.ee/tapenotes 

    Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective


    GEAR MENTIONS

    Portal - granular synthesis engine

    Apple Logic Pro

    Apple Logic Pro Retrosynth (stock plugin)

    Arturia Mellotron

    Stellar Echo SD-201

    Valhalla VintageVerb

    UAD Capitol Chambers

    Soundtoys Phase Mistress

    Remo drums

    Output Arcade

    Soundtoys Microshift

    Neural DSP

    Shure SM7 mic

    Neumann U67 mic

    Avid Pro Tools Studio

    Taylor GS Mini acoustic guitar

    Gibson Les Paul Junior 1959

    Thermal by Output

    Fender Rhodes electric piano plugin

    Teletone

    Roland Juno 106

    Akai MPC 3000

    Splice sample library

    Astra by Splice

    E-Bow for guitar

    Neve 1073LB

    UAD Urei 1176

    Korg MS20

    Sequential Circuits Prophet 5


    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

    Patreon: Tape Notes

    Discord: Tape Notes

    To let us know the artists you’d like to hear, slide into our DMs, message us on Patreon, 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 megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1 hr 49 min
  • TN:165 The Favors (FINNEAS & Ashe)

    John is joined by The Favors, a duo composed of producer/singer-songwriter FINNEAS and singer-songwriter Ashe, to discuss how they wrote and recorded the album ‘The Dream’. 

    FINNEAS is a Grammy Award-winning producer best known for his longtime collaboration with his younger sister, Billie Eilish. As her primary producer, songwriter and touring partner, FINNEAS has played a key role in shaping her sound, earning 10 Grammy Awards along the way. Beyond his work with Eilish, Finneas has established himself as a rising alt-pop artist. Ashe began her career singing demos in Nashville before gaining widespread recognition with her viral single ‘Moral of the Story’. Since then, she has released several acclaimed EPs and three studio albums. Having previously collaborated on a number of projects, FINNEAS and Ashe decided to form The Favors. They released the album ‘The Dream’ on 19th September 2025.

    In this episode, FINNEAS and Ashe sit down with John to discuss their techniques for producing vocals, the essential plug-ins they used to create the album’s sound, how ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ influenced their lyric-writing, why devoting time to drum production really matters and some simple yet very effective production tips!


    Tracks discussed: The Little Mess You Made, David’s Brother, Moonshine


    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.


    LANDR 

    Get 20% off LANDR Distribution and Studio at landr.com/tapenotes


    MUSIVERSAL

    Skip the waitlist and get your discount HERE


    LISTEN to ‘The Dream’ here - The Dream by The Favors, FINNEAS, Ashe


    LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

    linktr.ee/tapenotes 

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


    GEAR MENTIONS

    Yamaha CP80

    Ludwig Superbeat

    Revelle Snare

    Earthquaker Devices Delay

    VOX AC30

    Valhalla Room

    Fabfilter Pro-Q 4

    Waves Scheps Omni

    Native Instruments Guitar Rig

    Sphere Recording Console

    Logic Pro

    Ace Tone TOP-6

    Soundtoys Decapitator

    Earthworks sr314

    Liquidsonics Lustrous Plates

    Soundtoys Echo Boy Jr

    Lindell API Channel

    Fender Rhodes Piano Bass mk2

    Native Instruments Kontakt

    The Fiddle

    Spectrasonics Keyscape Rhodes Piano 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 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

    Patreon: Tape Notes

    Twitter: @tapenotes 

    Facebook: @tapenotespodcast  

    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



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

    1 hr 39 min

About Tape Notes

From the publisher's feed

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…

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  1. Number 3: TN:189 Bonobo
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