In this episode, John is joined by Ben Howard and producer Nathan Jenkins aka Bullion, to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced Ben’s latest album ‘Is It?’.

Looking back on their time together, Ben and Nathan talk us through their collaborative journey, from their initial coffee shop discussions, to the 10 day stint recording in the South of France. Sharing their initial sketches, voice note demos and the unexpected moments that changed the direction of each of the tracks.

In addition to stories of delay tuning and the potentially negative effects of singing with too much reverb, the pair share their thoughts on the importance of considering different musical approaches and giving time to ideas to allow them to flourish.

Listen to find out why you’ll never need four mics on an amp, why one wrong note with a delay can ruin a whole take, and why laziness is fundamental to Ben’s creativity.

Tracks discussed: Walking Backwards, Days Of Lantana, Spirit

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Thanks to Strongroom Studios for having us!

Instagram

Twitter

Listen to ‘Is It?’ here.

• Island, Universal Music Operations Limited

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

Korg Volca Beat

CR78 Drum Machine

Shure SM57

Shure SM58

EchoPlex

Roland Space Echo RE-201

Teenage Engineering OP1

Eventide H3000 Ultra Harmoniser

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

Or 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

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

Or 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.

TAPE NOTES TEAM

Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor

Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer

Will Lyons - Editor

Videographer - Andy Tindall

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

In this episode, John joins Dom Harrison, a.k.a. YUNGBLUD and producer Mati Schwartz to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced Dom’s debut album, ‘21st Century Liability’.

Digging into the very first tracks that the pair worked on together, Dom and Mati share the story of how their relationship began, looking back at the early rejection and tough love moment that kicked Dom into action, and forming the Yungblud sound as we know it today.

As well as talking through the evolution of his tracks, including playing unheard sections and old vocal takes, we’re treated to thoughts on the importance of individuality in music, and the huge impact that comes with really knowing what you want to say.

Listen to find out one of the best excuses for buying more guitars, how simple hi-hats can make a song bounce, and what happens when you bump into Chris Martin naked in a steam room. 

Tracks discussed: I Love You Will You Marry Me, Anarchist, Polygraph Eyes, 

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘21st Century Liability’ here.

• Locomotion Recordings, Geffen Records, Interscope

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

Waves CLA Vocals

UAD Compressors

Logic Compressor

Addictive Drums

Gibson B25 1964

Fender Strat 1963

Martin Guitars

OUR GEAR

https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

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

Donate

Or 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

Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor

Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer

Will Lyons - Editor

Videographer - Herbie Elton-Rowley

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

Get 50GB of DAW project storage with our sponsor Aux: https://aux.app/tapenotes 

In this episode, John joins Nick Douwma, a.k.a. Sub Focus, to talk about how he wrote, recorded, and produced his latest album 'Evolve'.

Unable to stop John from dancing out of his chair, Nick ploughs on and talks us through the evolution of his most recent tracks. Sharing some of the first demos and samples that kick-started his process, we hear stories of late-night hotel room sessions and road-testing tracks live before settling into them.

As well as delving into some of the history and theory behind Drum & Bass, we're treated to a production masterclass, diving deep with tips on oscillators and tuning, harmonics, and things to bear in mind when you're having phase issues.

Listen to find out why you almost never double the speed of an a cappella, why the key of a track is so important, and how to constructively use your time outside of the studio.

Tracks discussed: Fine Day, Ready To Fly, Secrets

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘Evolve’ here

• EMI, Universal Music Operations Limited

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

Sonorous PaulXStretch

Oszillos Mega Scope

Xfer LFO Tool

Thermionic Culture Vulture Emulation

Clariphonic DSP MkII

Korg M1 Piano VST

Valhalla Shimmer

Celemony Melodyne

Akaizer

Spitfire Strings

Xfer Serum

ROMpler Instrument

Reese Bass

Roland Juno 60

Shure SM58

Neumann U87

Apple AirPods Max

Cubase

Ableton

OUR GEAR

https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

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

Donate

Or 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

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

Or 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.

TAPE NOTES TEAM

Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor

Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer

Will Lyons - Editor

Videographer - Andy Tindall

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

In this episode, John catches up with the mastermind behind Temps, James Acaster, at Strongroom Studios, to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘PARTY GATOR PURGATORY’.

Reflecting on the genesis of Temps, James talks us through the initial moments of creation, from recording and chopping up his drums from an unaired mockumentary, through to his selection of almost 40 collaborators and how they each steered the music in such unexpected directions.

As well as stories of field recording and Pokemon catching on Brighton beach, we hear thoughts on the differences and crossover points between creating as a standup comedian and as a musician, discussing failure, taste, and the importance of considering your audience.

Listen to find out, why embracing deliberate imperfection can yield surprising results, how metal drums can transform into an emotional waltz, and why, on whatever project, the most important thing is that you love it.

Tracks discussed: lookaliveandplaydead, at(moves), slowreturn

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Thanks to Strongroom Studios for having us!

Instagram

Twitter

Listen to ‘PARTY GATOR PURGATORY’ here.

• Bella Union

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

Logic Pro X

Garageband

Yeti Microphone

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

Or 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

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

TAPE NOTES TEAM

Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor

Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer

Will Lyons - Editor

Videographer - Andy Tindall

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

Thanks to Highnote for supporting this episode of Tape Notes.

Highnote is the best way to share, store, and discuss your recording projects, a kind of bespoke Dropbox for audio specifically built for communication. Think time-stamped voice comments directly over your audio, nesting versions to toggle and compare in real time, and instant notifications when people comment or listen to a track you’ve shared. Highnote accounts are completely free and include 4 gigabytes of storage to get your started, plus there's a special offer for Tape Notes listeners of 3 months of their 200GB plan for free.

Head to highnote.fm/tapenotes to find out more.

-------

In this episode, John ventures over to Clapton to join James Ellis Ford and talk about how he wrote, recorded, and produced the album ‘The Hum’.

His debut solo release after almost two decades working with some of the world's biggest artists, James looks back on how his approach to music has changed over the course of the album, reflecting on the different mindsets and decisions that come with producing his own work compared to that of others.

As well as a deep dive into his vast studio setup and hybrid system of new and old creative techniques, we’re treated to thoughts on the fine line of ironing out the humanness of mistakes, and how more often than not, pieces of gear can give you back ideas that you’d never have expected.

Listen to find out which undiscovered mics are used across almost all of the records he works on, how to implement a Frippertronics-style tape setup, and what you can create when you push a bass clarinet to its limits.

Tracks discussed: I Never Wanted Anything, Squeaky Wheel, The Yips

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘The Hum’ here.

• Warp Records

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

FabFilter Pro Q

Soundtoys PrimalTap

Soundtoys DevilLoc

UAD Fairchild Plugins

UAD 1176

UAD LA2A

K-Devices Plugins

ARP 2600

Cirklon Sequencer

Roland TR-808

Korg Maxi-Korg Synth

Hohner Clavinet

Philicorda

Beezneez Microphones

Melodium Ribbon Mic

Shure SM7B

Gibson ES-125 Guitar

Burns Bass

Ebow

Mutron Auto Wah

Mutron Phasor

Eventide H3000 Chorus

Space Station Reverb

Grampian Spring Reverb

MicMix Master Room Reverb MR-II

Selmer 60s Fuzz

Altec Preamp

Tascam 4TRK

J37 Tape Machine

Nagra Tape Machine

Studer Desk

OUR GEAR

https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

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

Donate

KEEP UP TO DATE

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

Instagram: @tapenotes 

Twitter: @tapenotes 

Facebook: @tapenotespodcast  

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

TAPE NOTES TEAM

Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor

Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer

Will Lyons - Editor

Videographer - Andy Tindall

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

In this episode, John links up with Thomas Wesley Pentz, aka Wes aka Diplo, to talk about his work under various guises with Major Lazer, Sia and as Thomas Wesley.

With on-going exploration of far reaching and cross-cultural mashups at the centre of his approach, Wes reflects on how working with so many specialists from across the globe has helped him forge a diverse sound and career.

Breaking apart three songs, Wes shares his thoughts on the considerations and care that have to be taken when sampling a ‘classic’ South African song, the gatekeeping in Country music and why new sounds are emerging around the genre, and the weird and wild things that Sia often gravitates towards in a song.

Listen to find out the specific rules of Amapiano, some of the elements that are essential to any pop song, and why it’s important to fail a lot.

Tracks discussed: Mamgobhozi (Major Lazer), Wasted (Thomas Wesley), Elastic Heart (Sia)

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘Piano Republik’ here.

• Because Music

Listen to ‘Wasted’ here.

• Mad Decent, Columbia, Sony

Listen to ‘Elastic Heart’ here.

• RCA Records, Sony

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

Fab Filter Plugins

Serum Synth

Synplant

Celemony Melodyne

Serato Sampler

Native Instruments Massive

Algoriddim Neural Mix

Output Arcade

Shure Mics

Teenage Engineering OP1

Operator Synth

Roland TB-303

Akai MPC3000

Whurlitzer

Ableton Mellotron Preset

Ableton Sampler

Ableton

Magix Sound Forge 

Cool Edit Pro

Logic Pro

Splice

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

Or 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

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

TAPE NOTES TEAM

Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor

Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer

Will Lyons - Editor

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

In this episode John catches up with Benny Sings and producer Kenny Beats to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Young Hearts’.

Linking in from their studios in Amsterdam and LA, Benny and Kenny look back on their time spent writing and how each environment had an impact on the music. From experiencing the ‘Kenny Beats Thing’ in LA along with his wealth of collaborators, to spending a solitary week writing in Amsterdam locked in the studio with Covid.

As well as sharing the voice notes that initially inspired Kenny to become involved in the project, the duo dig deep into the lessons they’ve picked up over the years. We’re treated to some tips and tricks behind effortless lyric writing, stock plugin gold, along with a deep dive into mixing and balancing drums and bass.

Listen to find out how to create definition between yourself and a character within a song, how to efficiently keep track of all your sessions, and what the definitive definition of ‘slap’ is.

Tracks discussed: Young Hearts, Pyjamas, Distance

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘Young Hearts’ here.

• Stones Throw Records

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective   

GEAR MENTIONS

Fab Filter Pro Q3

Oek Sound Soothe

Valhalla Chorus

Goodhertz Midside

Goodhertz Vulf Compressor

Eventide Instant Phaser Plugin

Eventide Instant Phaser Outboard

Oliver Samples Packs

Beyerdynamic M500 Mic

Altec Outboard Mixer

Roland TR-55 Rhythm King Drum Machine

Yamaha CP-70

Hofner Club 50

Stylophone

Whurlitzer

Ableton

Ableton Drum Buss - Stock Plugin

Splice

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

Or 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

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

TAPE NOTES TEAM

Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor

Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer

Will Lyons - Editor

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

In this episode, John catches up with Orlando Higginbottom, better known as Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs or T.E.E.D, to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘When The Lights Go’.

Digging into the record almost 10 years in the making, Orlando talks us through his process of sorting through the piles of musical material he has created over the last decade, and how he developed each idea into a cohesive album.

As well as sharing production tips on vocal layering and utilising field recordings (notably coyote barks), Orlando reflects on his musical upbringing, discussing how the somewhat unattainable standards in classical music have impacted his work as an electronic producer.

Listen to find out why you should commit sounds when they are 75% right, how lyrics can be such a different commitment to a song, and why Orlando tried to create a U2 album without ever hearing U2.

Tracks discussed: Crosswalk, The Sleeper, Thugs

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘When The Lights Go’ here.

• Nice Age Music

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

Soundtoys Microshift

TAL-U-NO-LX Synth

Arturia Farfisa Plugin

ToneBoosters Reelbus

XFER OTT (Free)

Celemony Melodyne

Korg Minilogue

Korg PolySix Plugin

Boss Delay Pedal

Shure SM7B

Warm Audio Microphones

Sequential OB-6

Sequential Prophet 8

Yamaha CP-80

Fairlight CMI

Buchla Synth

Fender Rhodes

Spitfire Audio Labs Strings

OUR GEAR

https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

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

Donate

KEEP UP TO DATE

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

Instagram: @tapenotes 

Twitter: @tapenotes 

Facebook: @tapenotespodcast  

YouTube: Tape Notes Podcast

Discord: Tape Notes

Patreon: Tape Notes Patreon

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

TAPE NOTES TEAM

Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor

Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer

Will Lyons - Editor

Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

Thanks to SoundBetter for supporting this episode of Tape Notes.

SoundBetter is the world's leading music production talent marketplace, giving you access to the best mixing & mastering engineers, singers, songwriters, producers, and studio musicians in the industry. You can work with Billie Eilish's drummer, U2's mix engineer, or hire the topliners that wrote on the latest BTS record, these pros are keen to work with Indy artists.

Head to SoundBetter.com to find out more.

In this episode, John ventures over to Hackney to catch up with Tom Odell and producer Laurie Blundell about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Best Day Of My Life’.

As well as studio stories about the relationship between the voice and piano and the mindset needed when separating them, the duo share their thoughts on keeping the soul within songs, and the importance of musical authenticity in today’s world.

Listen to find out which DJing plugin became integral to their process, how Rick Rubin pretty much co-produced the album with inspirational quotes, and why a kick drum became the cause of the pair’s biggest fall out.

Tracks discussed: Best Day Of My Life, Just Another Thing We Don’t Talk About, Flying :))

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘Best Day of My Life’ here.

• UROK, mtheory

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

Soundtoys Little Alterboy

Soundtoys Crystallizer

Soundtoys Effect Rack

Serato Sampler

Antares Autotune

Valhalla Vintage Verb

Sony C800

Tube-Tech CL 1B Compressor

Neve Preamp 1073

Coles 4038 Microphones

How To Do Nothing - Jenny Odell

UAD Pultec Passive EQ

Steinway Pianos

OUR GEAR

https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

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

Donate

KEEP UP TO DATE

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

Instagram: @tapenotes 

Twitter: @tapenotes 

Facebook: @tapenotespodcast  

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

TAPE NOTES TEAM

Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor

Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer

Will Lyons - Editor

Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer

Matt Purbrick - Production Assistant

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

Nathan Hetherington - PR

Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing 

Thanks to SoundBetter for supporting this episode of Tape Notes.

SoundBetter is the world's leading music production talent marketplace, giving you access to the best mixing & mastering engineers, singers, songwriters, producers, and studio musicians in the industry. You can work with Billie Eilish's drummer, U2's mix engineer, or hire the topliners that wrote on the latest BTS record, these pros are keen to work with Indy artists.

Head to SoundBetter.com to find out more.

In this special live episode, John heads to Mother Advertising to chat with returning guest SG Lewis about how he wrote, recorded, and produced his new album ‘AudioLust & HigherLove’.  

Starting writing after taking ten days off music making and getting bored, Sam reflects on the times spent with his collaborators in the studio and on exotic retreats, sharing the sparks of songwriting inspiration that came from their stories and lives.

In this all-round production masterclass, we’re treated to a deep dive into Sam’s process of updating sounds and processing techniques from past eras for a modern audience, as well as mixing tips including the best ways to make a kick and bass punch over iPhone speakers.

Listen to find out why the phonetics of lyrics are so important, how to create a convincing fake vocoder, and what some of the most effective ways are to gain confidence as a singer when you’re not a singer.

Tracks discussed: Lifetime, Call On Me, Something About Your Love

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  

linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘AudioLust & HigherLove’ here.

• Jasmine Records, PMR, Universal

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS

Decimort Bit Crusher

GEM Dopamine Plugin

Native Instruments Transient Designer

Native Instruments Komplete

Oek Sound Soothe

Oliver Loops

Serato Sampler

Sonnox Oxford Inflator

Soundtoys Little Alterboy

UAD API 20500 Compressor

UAD Tape Emulation

Waves CLA Guitar Plugin

Waves H Delay

Waves Doubler

Waves API 2500 Compressor

Valhalla Reverbs

Xfer OTT Compressor

Korg MS20

LinnDrum

Oberheim OB6

Roland Juno

Roland TR-909 Drum Machine

Sequential Prophet 5

ZenDelay Pedal

U87 Microphone

Logic

Logic ES1

Splice

OUR GEAR

https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW

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

Donate

KEEP UP TO DATE

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

Instagram: @tapenotes 

Twitter: @tapenotes 

Facebook: @tapenotespodcast  

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

TAPE NOTES TEAM

Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor

Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer

Will Lyons - Editor

Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer

Matt Purbrick - Production Assistant

Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant

George Durston - Production Assistant

Nathan Hetherington - PR

Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing