In this episode, John is joined by Blur frontman Damon Albarn and producer James Ford, to talk about how they wrote, recorded and produced the album ‘The Ballad of Darren’.
With Damon’s initial demos to hand, the pair give us a guided tour of the record, right through the early versions and studio sessions, from the moments that reignited the feelings they had when writing in the 90s, to piecing together the musical jigsaw that forms the Blur sound.
Along with stories of Damon’s inspirational chickens and the dangers of making pesto while writing an album, we’re treated to an in depth production and songwriting masterclass, with details on manufacturing the sound of a room, and the importance of energy and intention behind a song.
Listen to find out what makes the first performance of something so special, why a 4-track recorder can sometimes be a great replacement pillow, and what benefits come with giving yourself distance from a record.
Tracks discussed: St. Charles Square, The Everglades (For Leonard), The Narcissist
LINKS TO EVERYTHING TAPE NOTES
linktr.ee/tapenotes
Listen to ‘The Ballad of Darren’ here
Intro Music - Sunshine Buddy, Laurel Collective
GEAR MENTIONS
Eventide H3000
U47 Mic
Neve 1073 Preamp
Neve Desk
TON-1501 Analog Strings Synthesizer
Powertran Transcendent 2000
Coles 4038 Mics
Mellotron
Whurli
Clavinet
Fender Amps
Semler Amps
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
Videographer - Andy Tindall/Herbie Elton-Rowley
Guy Nicholls - Production Assistant
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
TN:137 IDLES, Kenny Beats & Mikko Gordon
Reissue | TN:18 The 1975
TN:136 St. Vincent
TN:135 Bob Vylan & Jonny Breakwell
TN:134 The Libertines
TN:133 Jack Antonoff (Bleachers)
Reissue | TN:16 Alt-J & Charlie Andrew
TN:132 Jacob Collier
TN:131 Declan McKenna
Reissue | TN:12 Glass Animals
TN:130 100 gecs
TN:129 Matthew Herbert
TN:128 Fall Out Boy & Neal Avron
TN:127 Bombay Bicycle Club
TN:126 Royal Blood
TN:125 FIZZ & Pete Miles
TN:124 Olivia Dean & Matt Hales
TN:123 Bakar & Zach Nahome
TN:122 James Blake
TN:121 Disclosure
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Immediately Kinfolk
This Next Song‘s About - A Songwriter‘s Podcast
RAISING THE BAR
THE MARATHON LIFE
No Jumper