Tape Notes In The Woods

John sits down with indie rock band Bombay Bicycle Club to talk about their sixth studio album ‘My Big Day’. 

Bombay Bicycle Club are a four-piece band from London, that broke onto the indie music scene with their genre defining debut album ‘I Had The Blues But I Shook Them Loose’ in 2009. Since then they have been releasing a steady stream of music which has been met with high critical acclaim, earning them an Ivor Novello and a Mercury Prize nominations. 

Chatting with band members Jack Steadman and Ed Nash, the three cover a range of topics including the inspiration behind the album, their use of sampling in their music, how over-thinking can negatively influence the production process, and their collaboration with music legends Damon Albarn, Paul Epworth & Chaka Khan.

Tracks discussed: My Big Day, Heaven, Just A Little More Time

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Thanks to Tape It for supporting this episode. Tape It is a recording app designed specifically for musicians and songwriters. Among many of Tape It's incredible features, you can record straight from lock screen, set markers and have complete control over your record settings, and that just the start.
To find out more and get the full app free for a month, head to www.tape.it/tapenotes
----------------
To support the show and become a Patron, head to Patreon.co.uk/tapenotes. Any and all support is hugely appreciated, we don't take it for granted so thank you.
----------------

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  
linktr.ee/tapenotes 
Listen to ‘My Big Day’ here - https://songwhip.com/bombay-bicycle-club/my-big-day 
Mmm…Records, AWAL Recordings

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective - https://songwhip.com/laurelcollective/sunshinebuddy   

GEAR MENTIONS
Magix Samplitude - https://geni.us/iBEqbXn
Casio Keyboard - https://geni.us/hKfe
Korg Monotron - https://geni.us/T5K1H
Native Instruments Kontakt - https://geni.us/AFPeU
Paul Epworth's Neve Desks - https://geni.us/TFoT0

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
Nico Varanese - Videographer, Editor
Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant
Jessica Clucas - Production Assistant
Katie-Louise Buxton - Production Assistant
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John is reunited with Mike Kerr of Royal Blood, to talk about how the band wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Back To The Water Below’.

Following the success of their fourth number one album, Mike reflects on how their purpose as musicians has changed over the years, sharing their process of working out what they love, but haven't done with Royal Blood yet.

Giving us an in depth look behind each track, we hear stories of musical experiments, including making a new ‘wall of sound’ guitar and playing specially modified pianos, while simultaneously inviting new genres into the Royal Blood sound.

Listen to find out the best way to beat the sounds on your demos, tips on how to keep a two-hour live set engaging, and thoughts on why you shouldn’t wait for inspiration to come.

Tracks discussed: Triggers, There Goes My Cool, Waves

----------------
Thanks to Tape It for supporting this episode. Tape It is a recording app designed specifically for musicians and songwriters. Among many of Tape It's incredible features, you can record straight from lock screen, set markers and have complete control over your record settings, and that just the start.
To find out more and get the full app free for a month, head to www.tape.it/tapenotes
----------------
To support the show and become a Patron, head to Patreon.co.uk/tapenotes. Any and all support is hugely appreciated, we don't take it for granted so thank you.
----------------

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  
linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘Back To The Water Below’ here.
Imperial Galactic, Black Mammoth, Warner Records

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS
Soundtoys Devil-Loc
Spectrasonics Keyscape
Mrs Mills Piano
Avid ProTools

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
Nico Varanese - Videographer, Editor
Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant
Jessica Clucas - Production Assistant
Katie-Louise Buxton - Production Assistant
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thanks to Tape It for supporting this episode. Tape It is a recording app designed specifically for musicians and songwriters. Among many of Tape It's incredible features, you can record straight from lock screen, set markers and have complete control over your record settings, and that just the start.
To find out more and get the full app free for a month, head to www.tape.it/tapenotes
-------

In this episode, John is joined by Dodie and Martin Luke Brown of FIZZ, along with producer Pete Miles, to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘The Secret To Life’.

Discussing how FIZZ came into being, Martin and Dodie explain the reasons and implications of setting their solo work to the side (temporarily), to have a holiday from music, but still doing music...  

As well as lots of sharing stories, stems and general shenanigans from their time down at Middle Farm Studios, we hear how each band member brought something different to the table, approaching creativity in so many different ways - from jamming over loops, to singing around their house and recording voice notes in the bath.

Listen to find out why sometimes it’s better just to yell your guitar solos, which piece of kit is the secret 7th member of FIZZ, and which chorus pedal has the wobbliest chorus of all chorus pedals.

Tracks discussed: Secret To Life, Strawberry Jam, The Grand Finale

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  
linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘The Secret To Life’ here.
 Decca Records, FKA Chairs, Universal Music

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective

GEAR MENTIONS
Full Middle Farm Studios Gear
Roland RE-301 Chorus Echo
Soundtoys Devil Loc
Shure M267 Mic Preamp/Limiter
ProCo Rat Pedal
Electro Harmonix Polychorus
Studer A80 Tape Machine
1965 Hammond C3
Leslie Speaker
Logic Pro X

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
Nico Varanese - Videographer, Editor
Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer
Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, John is joined by Olivia Dean and producer Matt Hales to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced Olivia’s Mercury-nominated debut album ‘Messy’.

Taking us back to the very start of their story, the pair discuss the inspiration for the album, sharing their approach to marrying different musical cultures and the importance of the chats they had before writing.

As well as playing their writing session voice notes showing the exact moments each song took shape, we hear stories of mouth trumpet demos, creating artefacts to make instruments sound sampled, and the thought process behind choosing mix engineers. 

Listen to find out why so much of what makes a good record can come from turning things off, why it’s so valuable to just have things around the studio, and why tea can be such an integral part of the creative process.

Tracks discussed: UFO, Messy, Carmen

----------------
Thanks to Tape It for supporting this episode. Tape It is a recording app designed specifically for musicians and songwriters. Among many of Tape It's incredible features, you can record straight from lock screen, set markers and have complete control over your record settings, and that just the start.
To find out more and get the full app free for a month, head to www.tape.it/tapenotes
----------------
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).
----------------

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  
linktr.ee/tapenotes 

Listen to ‘Messy’ here - https://songwhip.com/oliviadean/messy2023
 EMI, Universal Music

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective - https://songwhip.com/laurelcollective/sunshinebuddy   

GEAR MENTIONS
AudioThing Reels
Shure SM7B
Boss CE1 Pedal
Moog Synths
Steinberg Cubase

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
Nico Varanese - Videographer, Editor
Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer
Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 back at Strongroom Studios to catch up with Bakar and producer Zach Nahome about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Halo’.

Looking back at the varied starting points of the songs, Bakar and Zach chart the journey of the album writing process, from writing in hotel rooms and AirBnbs to some of the most legendary studios in the world.

As well as sharing the conversations that helped fuel their creativity, we are given a glimpse into how the pair forged Bakar’s distinctive sound, sharing tips on bringing modern elements into music that feels old, and building distinctive worlds of reverb.

Listen to find out why you shouldn’t delete old beats, how a thief managed to unknowingly shape the sound of a track, and how working with an ‘anti-setup’ outside of the studio can benefit the song.

Tracks discussed: Alive!, Facts_Situations, Right Here, for Now

LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES  
linktr.ee/tapenotes 
Listen to ‘Halo’ here.
 Black Butter

Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective


GEAR MENTIONS
Abbey Road Vinyl
Soundtoys Effect Rack
Arturia Farfisa Synth
Arturia Jupiter 8
Spectrasonics Omnisphere
Nicky Romero Kickstart
Waves API 2500 Compressor
Valhalla Vintage Verb
Neumann TLM 103
Shure SM7B
Neumann U67
Gibson Les Paul
Fender Strat
Martin Guitars
Philips Philicorda
Squire PBass
KRK Monitors
Rokit 8 Monitors
Neve Preamps
Focusrite
Logic Pedals - Vintage Drive
Logic Pedals - Flanger
Logic Space Designer
Logic Pitch Correction
Logic EQ
Logic Slap Echo
Garageband 

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
Nico Varanese - Editor/Videographer
Herbie Elton-Rowley - Videographer
Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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  
linktr.ee/tapenotes 

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
Sequential Prophet 8
Native Instruments Massive
Intellijel Metropolis
Make Noise MATHS
Make Noise Black and Gold
Soma Pulsar-23
Roland SH-101
Roland TR-8S
Roland TR-909
Erica Synths LX-02
OEK Sound Soothe
FXpansion Geist
Valhalla Reverbs
Valhalla Vintage Verb
API Desk
Logic Pro

OUR GEAR
https://linktr.ee/tapenotes_ourgear

HELP SUPPORT THE SHOW
If you'd like to help support the show you can donate as little or as much as you'd like here, (we really appreciate your contributions :) 
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
Andy Tindall - Videographer
Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices