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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
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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
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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
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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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