Tape Notes
In The Woods
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Top 10 Tape Notes Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Tape Notes episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Tape Notes for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Tape Notes episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
TN:110 Tom Odell & Laurie Blundell
Tape Notes
02/01/23 • 106 min
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
Listen to ‘Best Day of My Life’ here.
- UROK, mtheory
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective
GEAR MENTIONS
How To Do Nothing - Jenny Odell
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 :)
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 :)
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
2 Listeners
TN:90 Alt-J & Charlie Andrew
Tape Notes
02/21/22 • 122 min
In this episode, John ventures over to Alt-J’s band studio to chat with Joe, Gus and producer Charlie Andrew about how they wrote, recorded and produced their new album ‘The Dream’.
Unearthing early demos and some very special voice notes, the trio look back on forming the sonic world encapsulated within the record, reflecting on the importance of their individual roles within the writing process along with the fundamental stories behind each track.
From serendipitous church bells to missions of sneaking in old album references, we hear about the intricacies of the kit key to the band’s sound, as well as the little details within each track you won't discover on a first listen.
Listen to find out why Mexican Coke tastes better than American Coke, what a sausage bassoon is, and how to get the best results when recording next to a dance class and a polling station.
Tracks discussed: Bane, The Actor, Get Better
Listen to ‘The Dream’ here.
‘The Dream’ - Infectious Music, BMG
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective
LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES
GEAR MENTIONS
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 :)
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
TAPE NOTES TEAM
Will Brown - Executive Producer, Engineer & Editor
Tim Adam-Smith - Executive Producer
Will Lyons - Editor
Rebecca Ibbotson - Digital Marketing
Nathan Hetherington - PR
Alex Nixon - Assistant
1 Listener
02/16/23 • 89 min
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
Listen to ‘When The Lights Go’ here.
- Nice Age Music
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective
GEAR MENTIONS
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 :)
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 :)
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
1 Listener
1 Comment
1
TN:122 James Blake
Tape Notes
09/26/23 • 104 min
Thanks to Audiomovers for supporting this episode. Their Listento Plugin has been a gamechanger for us and we use it across all of our remote interviews and recordings.
To see their full range of plugins, visit audiomovers.com and use the promo code TAPENOTES1 at checkout to get your free month (usually only two days).
In this episode, John is joined by James Blake to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Playing Robots Into Heaven’.
With the idea of simplifying his solo work primarily with synths and drums, James shares his process of crafting an album with the purpose of getting away from the computer, reflecting on the impact it had on his creativity and mental health.
A true master of modular synths, he talks us through the long journey learning to create ‘listenable’ music with them, discussing the ways in which they are able to create sounds that he couldn't have imagined.
Listen to discover the enlightening advice James received from Universal's Head A&R, how to best record your voice if you plan to pitch it, and how to adopt the mindset of making music for fun.
Tracks discussed: Loading, Big Hammer, Playing Robots Into Heaven
LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES
Listen to ‘Playing Robots Into Heaven’ here.
Republic Records, Polydor Records, UMG Recordings
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective
GEAR MENTIONS
Thermionic Culture Fat Bustard
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 :)
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
Andy Tindall - Videographer
Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant
1 Listener
TN:144 Bonobo
Tape Notes
10/01/24 • 108 min
John sits down with English musician, producer, and DJ Simon Green, better known as Bonobo, to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced works from across his back catalogue.
Bonobo first caught attention with his 1999 debut. Over the years, his evolving sound, often including elements of world music, nu-jazz and electronica, have earned him a devoted following. This popularity surged with the release of critically acclaimed albums including 'Black Sands' and 'The North Borders', released via Ninja Tune, which earned him multiple Grammy nominations and solidified his status as one of the biggest names in dance music. His latest work, the single, ‘Expander’ released in August 2024, is a slice of fresh yet unmistakable Bonobo, weaving organic vocals and instrumentation with vibrant dance floor energy.
Catching up at Baltic Studios, not too far from where Simon recorded his early work, the conversation digs into Bonobo’s creative process, discussing how he builds his unique drum patterns as well as exploring the essential plugins and sounds that shape his distinctive style.
Tracks discussed: Expander, Sapien, Cirrus, Black Sands
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 50% off. (Valid until 29th November)
ROLAND
Get 10% off Roland Cloud Ultimate Membership with the code TAPENOTES RC-1024 at rolandcloud.com
MUSIVERSAL
Skip the waitlist and get your 25% discount HERE
LISTEN to ‘Expander’ here.
LISTEN to ‘Fragments’ here.
LISTEN to ‘Black Sands’ here.
- Ninja Tune
LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective
GEAR MENTIONS
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
Will Brown
Tim Adam-Smith
Will Lyons
Nico Varanese
Guy...
1 Listener
TN:140 Four Tet
Tape Notes
07/16/24 • 117 min
John is joined by Kieran Hebden, better known as Four Tet, to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Three’, along with a selection of his other work.
Following his start in music writing and recording as part of post-rock band ‘Fridge’, Kieran released his debut solo album as Four Tet ‘Dialogue’ in 1999. Since then, his constant experimentation and blend of hip-hop, jazz, krautrock, electronica, dance, and folk have seen him become one of the most innovative producers of today. He has released twelve albums as Four Tet, remixed artists like Radiohead and Bjork, and collaborated with Burial, Fred Again and Skrillex, among many others.
Sitting down together, Kieran breaks down his production journey and writing process, sharing the samples at the core of each track and reflecting on his approach to the most important element, the arrangement. Digging into the production details, he shares tips on keeping loops alive, making kicks pop, and the subtle textures that help place a track in its own world.
Tracks discussed: Daydream Repeat, Skater, Looking At Your Pager
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 50% off.
MUSIVERSAL
Skip the waitlist and get your 25% discount HERE
LISTEN to ‘Three’ here.
- Text Records
LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective
GEAR MENTIONS
ATH-M50X Professional Monitor Headphones
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
Will Brown
Tim Adam-Smith
Will Lyons
Nico Varanese
Guy Nicholls
Jessica Clucas
Katie-Louise Buxton
Seb Brunner-Stolovitzky
Jonathon Coughlin
1 Listener
1 Comment
1
TN:83 CHVRCHES
Tape Notes
11/03/21 • 121 min
In this episode, John links up with Lauren, Iain and Martin of CHVRCHES to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Screen Violence’.
Largely working remotely from different parts of the world, the trio look back on how they adapted their writing process, discussing how the effects of the pandemic ended up shaping some of the themes and meanings within the album.
Sharing some of their day one demos, we hear stories of forming entire songs around single elements, combining and blending vintage gear with modern recording techniques, and using creative production tricks to respond to and reinforce certain lyrics.
Listen to find how powerful hidden live drums on an electronic beat can be, why you should always keep your day one demo in a session, and how to react when Robert Smith emails you saying “what do you want?”
Tracks discussed: How Not To Drown, He Said She Said, California
Listen to ‘Screen Violence’ here.
‘Screen Violence’ - EMI, Virgin Records
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective
LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES
GEAR MENTIONS
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 :)
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
1 Listener
TN:17 Slaves & Jolyon Thomas
Tape Notes
02/27/19 • 108 min
John is joined by Laurie & Isaac form Slaves and producer Jolyon Thomas to talk about how they recorded and produced the band's sophomore album 'Acts Of Fear And Love'.
We get to hear some of the early demos where the original lyrics don't quite sound the way they should, how Laurie and Jolyon layered up the guitar instead of using distortion and why Isaac's simple drum setup is actually a lot harder to play than it looks. All the usual anecdotes and lots to be inspired by as Laurie and Isaac shed on light on the lessons they've learnt recording their third studio album.
Tracks discussed: Photo Opportunity, Chokehold, The Lives They Wish They Had.
LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES
Listen to 'Acts Of Fear And Love' here.
'Acts Of Fear And Love' - Virgin EMI Records, Universal Music Operations Limited
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective
GEAR MENTIONS
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 :)
TN:20 Little Dragon
Tape Notes
05/28/19 • 86 min
In this episode John is joined by Erik and Yukimi from Little Dragon to talk about how they recorded and produced the album 'Ritual Union'.
Chatting from the studio in Gothenburg where the album was recorded, the pair reflect on the techniques and approaches they used in the recording of their 3rd studio release.
We hear how Little Man was transformed by The Smurfs playing drums, how the accidental recording of electricity cables from the Gothenburg tramline bolstered Crystalfilm and what the first thing to do is when you buy an old 80's synth and how they all left their mark on this electronic classic.
Tracks discussed: Ritual Union, Little Man, Crystalfilm
LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES
https://linktr.ee/tapenotes
Listen to 'Ritual Union' here.
'Ritual Union' - Peacefrog Holdings Ltd
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective
GEAR MENTIONS
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 :)
TN:32 Cold War Kids & Lars Stalfors
Tape Notes
12/04/19 • 68 min
In this episode John straddles the pond and catches up with Nathan from Cold War Kids and producer Lars Stalfors to talk about how the album New Age Norms 1 was recorded and produced.
Speaking from a studio in North Hollywood the pair discuss how the album was brought to life shining a light on their writing process and revealing the craft and philosophy behind a Cold War Kids track.
Listen to find out why Nathan can only play something once when recording, how an accident with Pro Tools inspired the intro to Dirt In My Eyes, and what helps Lars sleep at night.
Tracks Discussed: Complainer, Dirt In My Eyes, Beyond The Pale
LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES
Listen to 'New Age Norms 1' here.
'New Age Norms 1' - CWKTWO Corp. u AWAL Recordings
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective
GEAR MENTIONS
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 :)
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FAQ
How many episodes does Tape Notes have?
Tape Notes currently has 161 episodes available.
What topics does Tape Notes cover?
The podcast is about Music, Podcasts and Music Interviews.
What is the most popular episode on Tape Notes?
The episode title 'TN:110 Tom Odell & Laurie Blundell' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Tape Notes?
The average episode length on Tape Notes is 94 minutes.
How often are episodes of Tape Notes released?
Episodes of Tape Notes are typically released every 8 days, 18 hours.
When was the first episode of Tape Notes?
The first episode of Tape Notes was released on Jun 18, 2017.
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