Podcast · Music

Tape Notes

by In The Woods · English · Music

New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 1 hr 42 min
Latest: 6 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

6 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 57 minNew

TN:191 Lizzy McAlpine, Mason Stoops, Taylor Mackall & Omar Akrouche

John is joined by Lizzy McAlpine, along with producers Mason Stoops and Taylor Mackall and engineer Omar Akrouche to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Angel’. Lizzy McAlpine is a singer-songwriter and producer from Pennsylvania. Having written and recorded music through her teens, in 2020 she released her debut album ‘Give Me a Minute’. She has since released two more critically acclaimed albums: ‘five seconds flat’, featuring the viral hit ‘ceilings’, and ‘Older’, her first collaboration with producers Mason Stoops and Taylor Mackall. Lizzy’s fourth album, ‘Angel’,…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

22 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 42 min

TN:190 The Beatles (Giles Martin)

John is joined by Giles Martin to talk about how he recorded and produced the album ‘Rubber Soul: New Special Edition’. Giles Martin is a British composer, producer and arranger. Assisting his father, Beatles producer Sir George Martin, in the studio from an early age, Giles has been closely involved with the Beatles’ catalogue, producing the 50th anniversary remix and deluxe editions of ‘Revolver’, ‘Sgt. Pepper’ and ‘Let It Be’, among many others. ‘Rubber Soul: New Special Edition’, featuring new stereo and Dolby Atmos mixes, alongside previously unreleased session recordings and home…
15 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 42 min

TN:189 Bonobo

BONOBO SPECIAL! - 50% of Tape It Pro at tape.it/bonobo (available until 30th September 2026) John is joined by Simon Green, aka Bonobo, to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Distance in Static’. Simon Green, aka Bonobo, is a British musician, producer, and DJ, considered one of electronic music’s defining voices. Across eight albums, including the seminal ‘Black Sands’, ‘Migration’ and ‘Fragments’, he has built a celebrated career blending electronic, jazz and organic instrumentation, and received seven Grammy nominations. His latest record, Distance in Static, arrived…
2 Sep 2026 · 1 hr 20 min

TN:188 Tame Impala

John is joined by Kevin Parker, aka Tame Impala, to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Deadbeat’. Kevin launched the electronic and psychedelic rock-influenced Tame Impala in 2007 as a home recording project. Throughout the 2010s, Tame Impala became a huge critical and commercial success, winning two Grammys and selling out shows worldwide. Kevin has collaborated with numerous other artists including Justice, Gorillaz and Dua Lipa, and is regularly cited as one of the industry’s most influential artists. The fifth Tame Impala album, 'Deadbeat', featuring worldwide hits…
18 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 39 min

TN:187 Overmono

John is joined by Ed and Tom of Overmono to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Pure Devotion’. Overmono are Welsh electronic duo Tom and Ed Russell. After solo careers as Truss and Tessela, they began producing together as Overmono in 2015. Known for their energetic, acclaimed live shows, they broke through with Good Lies in 2023. Their second album, Pure Devotion, arrived in 2026, exploring experimental studio recording. Sitting down at Strongroom Studios in London, Ed and Tom give John a step by step breakdown of their approach to vocal processing, discuss the…
4 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 38 min

TN:186 Joy Anonymous

John is joined by Hen and Louis a.k.a. Joy Anonymous, to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced a selection of tracks across their back catalog. Joy Anonymous formed in 2018 with the aim of spreading joy through music and live performance. Their South Bank pop-up shows during the pandemic brought widespread attention, with recordings from these performances featuring on their debut album ‘Human Again’ (2021). Since then, they have released ‘Cult Classics’ (2023), collaborated with numerous artists, and continued to release new music, including their stripped-back ‘Source’ versions.…
21 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 43 min

TN:185 Charli xcx, A. G. Cook & Finn Keane

John is joined by Charli xcx and producers A. G. Cook and Finn Keane to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Music, Fashion, Film’. Charli XCX is a British singer, songwriter, producer and actor. Since her debut album ‘True Romance' in 2013, Charli has released a further six records, building a fiercely loyal fanbase while continually pushing the boundaries of pop. In 2024, ‘BRAT’ propelled Charli to a new level of global recognition. The Grammy award-winning album became a cultural phenomenon and cemented her status as one of pop’s defining artists of the decade. She…
7 Jul 2026 · 1 hr 54 min

Reissue | TN:54 Disclosure

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 Guy and Howard of Disclosure, digging into their 2020 record, 'ENERGY'. EPISODE NOTES Chosen from over 200 songs, the Guy and Howard break apart the individual parts and distinct sounds from the handful of tracks that made the cut. The boys take a deep dive into what it takes to make a Disclosure hit, revealing the tricks and tools they use along the way. Listen to find out why the best hooks are written in 20…
23 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 46 min

TN:184 Myles Smith & Peter Fenn

John is joined by Myles Smith and producer Peter Fenn to discuss how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘My Mess, My Heart, My Life’. Myles Smith is a singer-songwriter from Luton in the UK. Performing at local open mic nights since his teens, he built a loyal fan base and landed a record deal with Sony thanks to cover versions he posted on Tiktok. In 2024, Myles’ single ‘Stargazing’ was a viral hit and has since been streamed over one billion times globally. The momentum of ‘Stargazing’ and other early singles helped establish Myles as one of the UK's most promising new artists. He…
9 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 30 min

TN:183 Arlo Parks & Baird

John is joined by Arlo Parks and Baird to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Ambiguous Desire’. Arlo Parks is an indie-pop singer-songwriter from West London. After uploading demos to BBC Introducing as a teenager, she quickly attracted industry attention. Her debut album, ‘Collapsed in Sunbeams’, arrived in 2021, establishing Arlo as one of the defining artists of her generation and earning her the Mercury Prize and two Grammy nominations. Arlo’s third record, the more electronic-focused ‘Ambiguous Desire', was released in April 2026, co-written and produced by…
26 May 2026 · 1 hr 37 min

TN:182 Bleachers (Jack Antonoff)

Take our audience survey and enter the draw to win! https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/t/AudienceSurvey2026/ John is joined by Jack Antonoff of Bleachers to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Everyone for Ten Minutes’. Jack Antonoff is an American producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. As a producer, he’s widely recognised for helping shape the sound of modern pop through his work with artists including Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Kendrick Lamar and many more. Alongside his production work, Jack has built a hugely successful career as a musician and…
19 May 2026 · 1 hr 11 min

TN:181 Tom Misch

Take our audience survey and enter the draw to win! https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/t/AudienceSurvey2026/ John is joined by Tom Misch to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Full Circle’. Tom Misch is an English singer-songwriter and producer known for his innovative sound, blending hip-hop beats and soulful vocals along with his distinctive guitar style. His self-recorded debut album ‘Geography’ was a UK top ten hit in 2018, followed by ‘What Kinda Music’, released in 2020, with Yussef Dayes. Tom’s second solo album, ‘Full Circle’, arrived in March 2026. Sitting down at…
5 May 2026 · 1 hr 17 min

TN:180 Foo Fighters

John is joined by Foo Fighters to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Your Favorite Toy’. Foo Fighters are an American rock band formed by Dave Grohl. Known for their alt-rock anthems driven by melody and personality, they have evolved into one of rock’s biggest and most influential bands. Over the past 20 years, they have released twelve studio albums, won fifteen Grammys, and in 2021 were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Their twelfth studio album, ‘Your Favorite Toy’, arrived in April 2026. Sitting down at Metropolis Studios in London, Dave and bassist…
21 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 31 min

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

John is joined by TOMORA to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album COME CLOSER. TOMORA are an electronic music duo made up of The Chemical Brothers’ Tom Rowlands and AURORA. Both have excelled in their fields: The Chemical Brothers’ ten albums helped define electronic music, while Norwegian artist AURORA’s ethereal songwriting has won her a devoted worldwide following. The duo began collaborating when Aurora featured on The Chemical Brothers’ Grammy Award-winning 2019 album No Geography. In turn, Tom produced parts of AURORA’s What Happened To The Heart? (2024). That led…
14 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 41 min

TN:178 Holly Humberstone & Rob Milton

John is joined by Holly Humberstone and Rob Milton to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album Cruel World. Holly Humberstone is a singer-songwriter from Grantham, England. After early support from BBC Introducing, her debut EP ‘Falling Asleep at the Wheel’ gained widespread attention during the pandemic, earning a BRIT Rising Star win and two Ivor Novello nominations. Her debut album 'Paint My Bedroom Black’, arrived in 2023, and reached the UK top 5, while tours with Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo boosted her global profile. Her second album, Cruel World, was released in…
31 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 41 min

Reissue | TN:49 Enter Shikari

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 Enter Shikari's Rou Reynolds, digging into their 2020 record, 'Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible'. EPISODE NOTES In this episode, John catches up with Enter Shikari frontman and producer, Rou Reynolds to breakdown how the band wrote, recorded and produced their new album ‘Nothing Is True & Everything Is Possible’. As the band’s most genre-bending album to date, Rou talks us through the challenges of combining…
25 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 51 min

TN:177 Imogen Heap

John sits down with Imogen Heap to talk about how she wrote, recorded and produced the EP IAM _ _ _. Imogen Heap is a British composer, artist, and producer, widely regarded as a pioneer in electronic pop and music technology. Over the years, her music has evolved from alternative to electronica, producing acclaimed albums such as Speak for Yourself and Ellipse, and collaborating with artists including Taylor Swift and Jon Hopkins. She consistently integrates technology into her practice, developing innovations like the Mi.Mu gloves and Mogen, an AI voice model that plays a central role in…
11 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 43 min

TN:176 Fred again..

John is joined once again by Fred Gibson, better known as Fred again.., to talk about how he wrote, recorded and produced the album USB. Fred Gibson is an award-winning British songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer whose musical journey began collaborating with legendary producer Brian Eno at just 16. Since then Fred has established himself as a globally successful solo artist. Alongside his studio output, from his acclaimed ‘Actual Life’ trilogy to the record ‘ten days’ Fred’s live shows have become global events, from Glastonbury to arena-scale collaborations, notably alongside…
25 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 51 min

TN:175 Mumford & Sons and Aaron Dessner

In this episode, John is joined by Mumford & Sons and producer Aaron Dessner to discuss how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘Prizefighter’. Mumford & Sons are a British folk-rock band made up of Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett and Ted Dwane, who rose to global fame with their banjo-driven folk rock, earning BRIT and Grammy success with the records ‘Sigh No More’ and ‘Babel’. Their latest album, ‘Prizefighter', was co-written and co-produced with Aaron Dessner, and features collaborations with Hozier, Gracie Abrams, Gigi Perez and Chris Stapleton, with the band embracing a new creative…
13 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 27 min

TN:174 Danny L Harle

John sits down with Danny L Harle to discuss how he wrote, recorded and produced the album Cerulean. Danny L Harle is a British producer, artist and composer. One of the most sought-after songwriters and producers in music today, he has worked with numerous artists including Caroline Polachek, Florence and the Machine and Dua Lipa. Danny began releasing solo electronic music in 2013 on A.G. Cook’s label PC Music, with his debut album Harlecore arriving in 2021. Cerulean, Danny’s second album, was released in February 2026. Featuring collaborations with Caroline Polachek, PinkPatheress,…
28 Jan 2026 · 1 hr 38 min

TN:173 Emma-Jean Thackray

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…
14 Jan 2026 · 1 hr 48 min

TN:172 Artemas & Toby Daintree

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…
2 Jan 2026 · 1 hr 55 min

Reissue | TN:46 Rina Sawayama & Clarence Clarity

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…
24 Dec 2025 · 1 hr 47 min

TN:171 Adam Buxton & Joe Mount

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…
10 Dec 2025 · 1 hr 54 min

TN:170 Haim & Rostam Batmanglij

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…
28 Nov 2025 · 1 hr 31 min

TN:169 Parcels

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…
12 Nov 2025 · 1 hr 36 min

TN:168 Sam Gellaitry

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…
29 Oct 2025 · 1 hr 56 min

TN:167 Kae Tempest & Fraser T. Smith

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…
14 Oct 2025 · 1 hr 49 min

TN:166 Hayley Williams & Daniel James

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…
30 Sep 2025 · 1 hr 38 min

TN:165 The Favors (FINNEAS & Ashe)

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…

About Tape Notes

Tape Notes is a podcast about the art and craft of music production. Hosted by John Kennedy, each episode reunites an artist and producer to talk about the highlights of their collaboration in the studio. Their conversations lift the lid on every stage of the creative process, from kindling the first spark of a song idea, through decisions on style and instrumentation, to finessing the final product. Full of fascinating anecdotes, the conversations also feature early demo versions and stems from the original session recordings. The result is a unique insight into the working methods of some of the most innovative and exciting talents in music.

Tape Notes is a English music podcast from In The Woods. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: In The Woods
Language: English
Category: Music
New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 1 hr 42 min
Latest episode: 6 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1249834293
Rights: In The Woods 2020

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