TN:179 TOMORA (Tom Rowlands of Chemical Brothers & AURORA)

Reissue | TN:54 Disclosure

Jul 7, 20261h 50mSummary

This episode of Tape Notes features a detailed conversation with Guy and Howard Lawrence, the brothers behind the electronic duo Disclosure. Recorded during the 2020 lockdown, the hosts explore the creative journey and technical production behind the duo’s third studio album, Energy. The brothers discuss their decision to take a deliberate hiatus following their massive global success, which allowed them to recalibrate and focus on personal growth before returning to the studio. A key highlight of the discussion is the duo's meticulous approach to production. The brothers break down the process of crafting their title track and their collaboration with Fatoumata Diawara, revealing how they creatively reharmonize vocal stems to fit their signature house sound. Guy and Howard share their love for "sample gold"—specifically their ongoing creative partnership with motivational speaker Eric Thomas—and explain their preference for building tracks from scratch in the room with collaborators. By delving into their use of vocoders, Ableton warping, and rhythmic experimentation, the duo offers listeners a rare, comprehensive look at how they transform disparate musical influences into cohesive, dance-floor-ready records.

TN:184 Myles Smith & Peter Fenn

Jun 23, 20261h 45mSummary

In this episode of Tape Notes, host John Kennedy visits Salvation Studios in Hove to sit down with singer-songwriter Myles Smith and producer Peter Fenn. The conversation explores the creative journey behind Smith’s debut album, My Mess, My Heart, My Life. The pair discuss their immediate artistic chemistry, which began during a collaborative trip in 2023, and how their shared work ethic—often writing in improvised, unconventional studio settings like rented homes—has defined their sound. A major focus of the discussion is the creation of the global hit Stargazing. Smith and Fenn break down the track’s evolution from an acoustic demo—originally titled All Along—into the anthemic, billion-stream success it is today. They provide a detailed look into the production process, explaining how they repurposed a post-chorus vocal into an urgent intro, layered live claps to capture a communal energy, and utilized specific production techniques, such as sidechaining sub-bass and creative piano drones, to build intensity. The episode highlights how their collaborative relationship bridges the gap between Smith’s live performance roots and Fenn’s meticulous, detail-oriented studio production.

TN:183 Arlo Parks & Baird

Jun 9, 20261h 30mSummary

In this episode of Tape Notes, singer-songwriter Arlo Parks and producer Baird discuss the creative process behind Parks’ third studio album, Ambiguous Desire. Speaking from London and Los Angeles respectively, the duo explores how their friendship and collaborative dynamic shaped the record’s distinctive sound. Parks explains that her recent time in Los Angeles and an increasing interest in club culture heavily influenced the album’s direction, moving her work toward more electronic textures while maintaining her signature storytelling. The conversation centers on the track Senses, featuring Sampha. Baird breaks down the production, detailing his "paint-splatter" approach to rhythm, which involves chopping drum breaks and layering accidental textures to create a unique sonic environment. Parks shares her method for freestyle vocal composition, emphasizing how she builds melodies around initial lyrical motifs. They also reflect on the importance of finding a "cohesive world" for each track, keeping arrangements minimal yet intentional. By analyzing specific stems, synthesizers, and vocal processing, the episode provides an intimate look at the experimental, symbiotic nature of their partnership and their dedication to crafting music that feels both personal and rhythmically propulsive.

TN:182 Bleachers (Jack Antonoff)

May 26, 20261h 36mSummary

In this episode of Tape Notes, host John Kennedy is joined by multi-instrumentalist and producer Jack Antonoff to explore the creative process behind the album Everyone for 10 Minutes by his band, Bleachers. Throughout the conversation, Antonoff provides a candid look into his studio sessions, demonstrating his evolving philosophy on production and the importance of capturing raw energy. The discussion centers on the track I’m Not Joking, which serves as a prime example of Antonoff’s shift toward minimalism. He explains how recording the band in Rome—free from the pressures of his usual routine—allowed him to embrace a more direct, unadorned sound. By stripping away complex effects and digital manipulation, he found a deeper, more sincere resonance in the live performances. Antonoff reflects on the necessity of high stakes in songwriting, describing how he strives to create music that feels vital and emotionally honest rather than overly polished. He also shares insights into his technique of using unexpected instruments, like the harpsichord and clavichord, to build expansive worlds within simple arrangements. This episode offers an intimate, insightful look at how one of music’s most in-demand producers balances technical expertise with the pursuit of genuine, surprising moments.

TN:181 Tom Misch

May 19, 20261h 10mSummary

In this episode of Tape Notes, host John Kennedy sits down with singer-songwriter and producer Tom Misch to explore the creative process behind his second solo album, Full Circle. Recorded at Strongroom Studios, the conversation marks a return to the podcast for Misch, who discusses how a four-year hiatus from the music industry provided the space and reflection necessary to shape his latest project. Misch delves into the evolution of his songwriting, describing a shift toward a more intimate, acoustic-driven sound. He explains the technical nuances of his production, including his experimentation with tape machines to add warmth to his recordings and his intentional choice to record vocals in a raw, naturalistic way. Listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at tracks like "Red Moon" and "Slow Tonight," with Misch revealing fascinating details—such as the accidental sound of a falling glass left in a final mix and the unintended presence of birdsong during his vocal tracking. The episode highlights Misch’s collaborative spirit, his appreciation for organic instrumentation, and his evolution from a producer-first artist to a deeply personal songwriter.

TN:180 Foo Fighters

May 5, 20261h 16mSummary

In this episode of Tape Notes, host John Kennedy is joined by Dave Grohl and bassist Nate Mendel of the Foo Fighters at Metropolis Studios in London. The conversation centers on the creation of the band’s twelfth studio album, Your Favourite Toy. Recorded primarily at Grohl’s home studio, the album marks a significant return to a more intimate, hands-on production process. Grohl and Mendel offer an in-depth breakdown of the album’s tracks, starting with the title song. They discuss the unique challenges of the recording space—a small room that necessitated a minimal setup—and explain how they managed to achieve a massive sound despite the cramped conditions. The band shares insights into their songwriting evolution, specifically highlighting how they utilized "stress rock" dynamics and complex time signatures to craft the record. Listeners also get a glimpse into the collaborative process, including the band's experience working with new drummer Ilan Rubin and the creative freedom found in having no strict schedules. Throughout the episode, the guests reflect on their long career, the technical nuances of their gear, and the importance of instinct over clinical perfection in the studio.

TN:178 Holly Humberstone & Rob Milton

Apr 14, 20261h 39mSummary

In this episode of Tape Notes, host John reunites singer-songwriter Holly Humberstone and her longtime producer, Rob Milton, at Baltic Studios to discuss the creative process behind her second album, Cruel World. The conversation highlights the evolution of their collaborative partnership and the artistic shift in her latest record. Holly and Rob reflect on the transition from the intimacy of her previous work to the newfound confidence and sonic exploration found in this project. The discussion centers on the track To Love Somebody, with the guests breaking down how a spontaneous session—featuring percussion, piano riffs, and group input—transformed into a polished, anthemic song. They share their approach to songwriting, emphasizing the importance of balancing emotional resonance with a sense of joy and playfulness. The episode offers a deep dive into their production techniques, from layering vocal harmonies to incorporating unique string arrangements, all while maintaining the core integrity of the song. Throughout the episode, Humberstone and Milton provide an engaging look at how they experiment with studio limitations and artistic intuition to define their sound.

TN:177 Imogen Heap

Mar 25, 20261h 49mSummary

In this episode of Tape Notes, host John Kennedy visits the unique Hideaway studio in London to sit down with pioneering musician, composer, and producer Imogen Heap. The conversation centers on the creation of her 2025 EP, I Am, a project that spans four years and represents a significant shift in her creative evolution. Heap offers a candid look at her production process, detailing how the EP became an obsession that pushed her to the limits of technical perfection. She discusses the influence of AI on her work, the challenges of working within a screen-based environment, and her desire to move toward more spontaneous, live-improvised performances. The episode explores the personal stories behind the music, including her experiences with new technology, dating, and the realization that her obsessive attention to detail—compounded by a late-in-life ADHD diagnosis—was hindering her creative spirit. By breaking down specific Ableton sessions, Heap illustrates how she evolved from simple samples to complex, textured soundscapes, while reflecting on the necessity of letting go. This episode provides an intimate, transparent look at the struggles and growth of an artist constantly redefining her relationship with technology and her own creative identity.

TN:176 Fred again..

Mar 11, 20261h 42mSummary

In this episode of Tape Notes, host John Kennedy sits down with producer and multi-instrumentalist Fred again.. at his home studio in South London. The conversation centers on the creative process behind his evolving project, USB, and offers a deep dive into the technical and emotional layers of his production style. Fred explains that USB represents a departure from the narrative-driven constraints of his studio albums. Instead, he views it as an "infinitely rolling mixtape"—a liberating space for tracks meant for live environments and personal exploration, with the goal of expanding the project indefinitely. The hosts discuss how Fred uses his laptop as a digital sketchbook, utilizing modern software tools to pitch-shift polyphonic samples and re-harmonize fragments of sound. A highlight of the episode is the breakdown of the track Solo, featuring Blanco. Fred demonstrates how he painstakingly curates vocal snippets and percussive loops from his extensive digital collections, treating the production process like a puzzle. By layering different emotional textures and re-pitching vocals to create dialogue between "younger" and "present-day" versions of the artist, Fred showcases his unique ability to transform disparate fragments into a cohesive, deeply resonant musical collage.

TN:157 Jamie xx

Jun 19, 20251h 38mSummary

In this episode of Tape Notes, host John Kennedy sits down with Jamie xx at his London studio to explore the creative evolution of his highly anticipated second solo album, In Waves. Reflecting on the ten-year gap since his debut, Jamie discusses how the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic provided the necessary space to rediscover the joy of music-making, shifting his focus from the exhaustion of touring back to the exploratory energy of his youth. The conversation centers on the track Breather, which Jamie highlights as a prime example of his experimental process. He details the technical challenge of creating a track that transitions seamlessly from 160 BPM to 120 BPM, explaining how he used synth drones and distorted 808 kick drums to manipulate the listener’s perception of time and tempo. Jamie also opens up about his collaborative relationship with mixing engineer David Rench, his appreciation for gear like the Oberheim Eight-Voice, and the importance of testing tracks in live DJ sets to refine their impact over time. Throughout the episode, Jamie reveals a process defined by patience, meticulous tweaking, and a willingness to embrace both the technical and the unexpected.