podcast
A mix of "from the archives" and new interviews for your listening pleasure
New Episode
Episode 91: Frankie and the Witch Fingers
Indiana may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of a blossoming psych-rock scence, but you'd be mistaken. Formed in Bloomington and now based in Los Angeles, Frankie and the Witch Fingers have been cranking out an interesting sounding and diversely-influenced series of albums that document their growth as songwriters and a band as well as their development as recordists.
Geoff Stanfield caught up with Josh Menashe, the band's guitarist and primary engineer, to discuss their process and new album Data Doom
Enjoy!
Episode 90: MGMT
February 2024 will see the release of MGMT's fifth album, Loss of Life. Tape Op's online publisher Geoff Stanfield sat down for a chat with the band's founding members Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser to discuss the recording of the album, their long time working relationship with producer/mixer Dave Fridmann, and finding their new favorite microphone! Enjoy!
Episode 89: Mike Matessino
If there is an authority on the production, editing, mixing, and mastering of film scores, it is Mike Matessino. He has had a hand in hundreds of films including classics such as the Star Wars Trilogy, Poltergeist, The Goonies, Superman, Back to the Future, Home Alone, the Star Trek films and Empire of the Sun.
For his latest project, he meticulously remixed and remastered the Super Deluxe version of The Sound of Music from the original multi-track tapes and also wrote the in-depth liner notes. It is a definitive collection that includes every musical element from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s timeless masterpiece for the very first time, along with 11 never-before-heard alternate takes, including rare performances from the cast. Geoff Stanfield caught up with Mike from his home in Los Angeles to discuss. Enjoy.
Episode 88: Beirut
In the early days of 2020, following a canceled tour and a near total mental collapse, Beirut's Zach Condon arrived on Hadsel, an island in the far northwest reaches of Norway. Armed with several suitcases stuffed with recording equipment, a modular synth rig, an Austrian tape machine, his trumpet, and some winter clothes, he embarked on the creation of what would become his latest release, Hadsel.
He also had ongoing access to a 19th century church pump organ, a centerpiece of the album's sound and spirit. Geoff Stanfield caught up with Zach from his home in Berlin to discuss the making of Hadsel and the journey that led there. Enjoy!
Episode 87: Morphine
September 2023 marked the 30th anniversary of the now classic Morphine album Cure for Pain. It was the band's sophomore release and recorded during the transition from original drummer Jerome Deupree to Billy Conway, with Jerome playing on the bulk of the album's songs and Billy playing on the title track, "Cure for Pain" and "Let's Take a Trip Together". To mark the occasion of the album's anniversary, Geoff Stanfield caught up with the band's surviving members; saxophonist Dana Colley and Jerome Deupree along with mastering engineer and archivist Pete Weiss. Enjoy!
Episode 86: Dan Workman and the Ghost of Sugar Hill Studios
Over the years it has been suggested that we do a segment on haunted studios. Our friend Heba Kadry got her first job in the U.S. as an intern at the famed Sugar Hill Studios in Houston, Texas.
Legend has it that the place is haunted, and Heba told me that she was freaked out to be there alone at night and would blast loud music to keep the spirits at bay. Apparently that worked and she never encountered anything out of the ordinary. Former Sugar Hill owner Dan Workman did however have an out of this world experience there, so we chatted with him to get the scoop!
Episode 85: Albert Hammond Jr.
Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. has been owning the downstroke for well over a decade now, and in addition to his work with the band he has managed to find time to release several solo records. His latest, Melodies on Hiatus, is a sprawling 19 song offering recorded with longtime collaborator Gus Oberg. Geoff Stanfield chatted with Albert about his latest recording, working with Rick Rubin and the power of imperfection. Enjoy!
Episode 84: M.Ward
I interviewed Portland Oregon's M. Ward for our DISCussion podcast about a year ago and with his new release, supernatural thing, it was another opportunity for us to check in. In this episode, Geoff Stanfield catches up with Matt to discuss his love of collaborations, analog approach to recording and more. Enjoy!
Episode 83: Altin Gün
We recently spoke with Turkish psych-rock band Altin Gün's bassist and producer Jasper Verhulst and their recording engineer Jasper Geluk for a segment of our DISCussion podcast. For this episode of the Tape Op Podcast we dig into the history of the band and pull back the curtain on their recording process. Enjoy!
Episode 82: Sleaford Mods
For this episode we chat with Andrew Fearn from the legendary UK duo, Sleaford Mods. Their latest release UK GRIM picks up where their 2021 release Spare Ribs left off, with gritty minimalist production and Jason Williamson's blunt societal diagnostic lyrics. Enjoy!
Live Episode: Robert Schneider
For this episode we chat with Robert Schneider in front of a live audience. Afterwards, he did a short solo set, and then The Minders played. Enjoy!
Episode 81: Alvvays
For this episode we are joined by Molly Rankin and Alec O'Hanley from Montreal's Alvvays and producer...
Episode 80: Steve Gunn
Philadelphia native Steve Gunn kept popping up in playlists and each time he did I stopped to hit "Save to Favorites" and...
Episode 79: Ibrahim Maalouf and Angélique Kidjo
Ibrahim Maalouf and Angélique Kidjo are both accomplished and storied artists in their own right, but their collaborations...
Episode 78: Junior Boys
Ontario Canada's electronic pop duo Junior Boys formed in 1999 and have been making fantastic albums since 2004. Their...
Episode 77: Adrian Quesada
We first interviewed Adrian Quesada back in 2013 in issue #92 about his band Grupo Fantasma and...
Episode 76: Khruangbin
Texas trio Khruangbin have paired with Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Touré, son of the legendary Ali Farka Touré, for new release Ali. The result is...
Episode 75: Amanda Shires and Lawrence Rothman
The pairing of Amanda Shires and producer Lawrence Rothman is an unlikely one. On paper, Amanda's...
Episode 74: Beacon
New York City duo Beacon has been releasing haunting downtempo electronic pop since their beautiful 2013 release, Ways We Separate. Geoff Stanfield caught up with...
Episode 73: Bob Clearmountain and Jesse Ray Ernster
Mixer Jesse Ray Ernster who mixes without a console (or even a desk!) recently sat down with legendary mix engineer Bob Clearmountain, whose work has been omnipresent on...
Episode 72: Panda Bear and Sonic Boom
In keeping with their long standing partnership, Panda Bear and Sonic Boom (aka Noah Lennox and Pete Kemper) have teamed up again to create Reset, a collection of songs that...
Episode 71: JG Thirlwell
Composer, musician, and producer James George Thirlwell has been known as JG Thirlwell, Clint Ruin, Frank Want, and most famously, Foetus and its many incarnations. Lately he...
Episode 70: Andrew Scheps
In issue 133 of Tape Op I interviewed Andrew Scheps about mixing, and his work with artists like Adele, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Hozier. It's been about 4 years, and we...
Episode 69: Ann Mincieli
We first interviewed Ann Mincieli back in 2012 for Tape Op issue #89, but ten years is an eternity these days so Geoff Stanfield caught up with Ann to chat about her early...
Episode 68: Aoife O'Donovan
Grammy award-winning songwriter and musician Aoife O'Donovan has released three critically-acclaimed solo albums, is co-founder of the bands I'm With Her and Crooked...
Episode 67: Amyl and the Sniffers
Melbourne Australia's Amyl and the Sniffers are a punk rock, metal, hip-hop, post punk mashup served with a heaping spoonful of Eff You and a cheeky smile. The band's singer...
Episode 66: Jim Eno of Spoon
In 2002, for [Tape Op Issue #27], I visited Jim Eno and Britt Daniel of the band Spoon at Jim's converted 2-car garage studio in Austin, Texas, to talk about making records. It's now...
Episode 65: Neal Francis
Chicago's Neal Francis recently released In Plain Sight, the follow up to his critically acclaimed debut Changes. It is an album filled with personal stories wrapped in a deep...
Episode 64: Greg Kurstin
Producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Greg Kurstin has worked with a staggering list of top artists including Adele, Pink, Paul McCartney, The Foo Fighters, Sia, Beck and many...
Episode 63: Vijay Iyer
For his most recent release Uneasy, pianist and composer Vijay Iyer is joined by Linda May Han Oh on bass and Tyshawn Sorey on drums. The album is masterfully recorded...
Episode 62: Eric Earley of Blitzen Trapper
2008 was an event filled year. Barack Obama was elected president, Satoshi Nakamoto introduced the concept of Bitcoin, Spotify was launched in Sweden and an extra "leap...
Episode 61: Laraaji
Laraaji (born as Edward Larry Gordon) may be most well-known for his 1980 album Ambient 3: Day of Radiance, a collaboration with Brian Eno for his legendary ambient series of...
Episode 60: Xenia Rubinos
Xenia Rubinos could just as easily be on a bill with Flying Lotus and The Boredoms as she could with Eryka Badu and Esperanza Spalding. Her unique genre mixing of soul...
Episode 59: Mitch Easter
In this episode we chat with Producer/Engineer Mitch Easter about working on the song that launched R.E.M.'s career, "Radio Free Europe"! The version of R.E.M.'s Radio Free...
Episode 58: Jim Keller and Mitchell Froom
Jim Keller first made his mark co-penning the 80's hit "867-5309 (Jenny, Jenny)" as a member of the band Tommy TuTone. In a long and storied career he has managed Philip Glass...
Episode 57: Riccardo Damian
Italian engineer and mixer Riccardo Damian has had a hand in the music of a staggering list of artists. Bruno Mars, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Sampha, Lily Allen, Yebba, Ezra Collective...
Episode 56: Bruce Hornsby
What is the common thread between Spike Lee, The Grateful Dead, Don Henly, Bonnie Raitt, Pat Metheny, Justin Vernon, James Mercer, Branford Marsalis, Snoop Dog, Polo G...
Episode 55: Linda Perry
Linda Perry had her first hit with "What’s Up?" in 1993, as lead singer and songwriter for 4 Non Blondes. Since then, she’s worked as a producer and songwriter for numerous artists, helping...
Episode 54: Daniel Lanois
Daniel Lanois: If you have been a fan of music during the past 30 years, you have heard his production work with U2, Bob Dylan, Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, and countless...
Episode 53: Joel Hamilton
We first interviewed producer and engineer Joel Hamilton back in 2011 in Tape Op issue #85. Joel has worked on records with Elvis Costello, Norah Jones, Highly Suspect, Pretty Lights...
Episode 52: Stu Mackenzie
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have released a staggering amount of music over the last decade. Two of those releases, 2017's Flying Microtonal Banana and 2020's KG...
Episode 51: Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes
Fleet Foxes recently released their 4th album Shore, a sprawling and at times cinematic work that began as a solo record for the band's singer and principal songwriter...
Episode 50: Geoff Swan
Engineer and mixer Geoff Swan has gone from university student to studio owner, to producer Spike Stent’s assistant, back to studio owner and is now a go to engineer and mixer...
Episode 49: Robbie Lackritz
We first interviewed producer/engineer Robbie Lackritz back in 2013 and since then he has continued his work with Feist, Bahamas and Jack Johnson as well as made...
Episode 48: Michael Kiwanuka
Michael Kiwanuka's music has made it around the world, showcasing his passionate voice and guitar playing. His debut album, Home Again, was produced by Paul Butler...
Episode 47: Sarah Jarosz
Signed to her first record deal at age 16, Sarah Jarosz has been continuously putting out critically acclaimed records and touring ever since, nevermind she did a large part...
Episode 46: Jim James & Tucker Martine
After working on My Morning Jacket's Circuital and Jim James' Regions of Light and Sound of God, Tucker Martine once again joined the band to helm sessions that would become...
Episode 45: Ryan Lott of Son Lux
What started as a solo endeavor from band founder and frontman Ryan Lott, Son Lux has blossomed into a collaborative effort with the addition of band members Ian Chang and Rafiq...
Episode 44: Purity Ring
Hailing from Edmonton, Canadian Electronic Pop Duo Purity Ring made a splash with their debut album Shrines. The release was a document of Corin Roddick and singer...
Episode 43: Tony Visconti & Chris Kimsey
For this episode we have something different for you. This is a round table discussion with Tony Visconti, Chris Kimsey, Martin Terefe, George Murphy and Andy Cook...
Episode 42: Will Toledo of Car Seat Headrest
What began as the solo project of frontman Will Toledo, Car Seat Headrest initially released a series of lo-fi and experimental albums on Bandcamp. The band's name is a reference...
Episode 41: Heba Kadry
What do Björk, Beach House, Slowdive, Liturgy, !!!, The Mars Volta, Deerhunter, Explosions in the Sky, serpentwithfeet, and Ryuichi Sakamoto all have in common? Mastering...
Episode 40: Tennis
The husband and wife team of Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley formed their band Tennis after a sailing trip down the eastern seaboard, an experience that made for the subject...
Episode 39: Steve Fisk
I first interviewed producer, musician, and engineer Steve Fisk for Tape Op issue #3 in 1996. Steve has made a name for himself, recording iconic tracks for groups like Beat...
Episode 38: Tony Visconti
Tony Visconti needs no introduction. His name is synonymous with the long career of David Bowie and his work with other important artists like T-Rex, Gentle Giant, The Moody...
Episode 37: Annie Clark
From the early days of touring with indie luminaries The Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Stevens, to releasing six albums as St. Vincent and recently wrapping up production...
Episode 36: Black Pumas' Adrian Quesada
Adrian Quesada first made a name for himself as a founding member and producer of the Grammy winning latin-rock bigband, Grupo Fantasma. Since then, he's been writing...
Episode 35: Jonathan Schenke
We interviewed producer/engineer Jonathan Schenke in November of 2017 for Tape Op issue #122, but since that time he has moved studios, formed new recording...
Episode 34: Tycho
We interviewed Tycho's Scott Hansen after the release of his Epoch album for Tape Op #123. With the addition of vocalist Hannah Cottrell, aka Saint Sinner, his new release...
Episode 33: Marcella Araica
A young intern fresh out of Full Sail University gets a big break (and a nickname) from Missy Elliott, works alongside producers and engineers like Timbaland, Jimmy Douglass...
Episode 32: Nick Raskulinecz
Heavy music wouldn't sound like it does today without the help of producer and engineer Nick Raskulinecz. We interviewed Nick back in 2005 for Tape Op #50 and so it seemed like...
Episode 31: Jeff Tweedy
I’ve been in studios and rooms all over the world. I’ve seen where The Beatles spent hours creating masterpieces. I’ve been in the room where Buddy Holly’s hits were made. I’ve stood...
Episode 30: Dan Auerbach
Dan Auerbach, along with drummer Patrick Carney, started The Black Keys in 2001 as a writing and recording project, releasing their first album in 2002. Dan also began recording and producing...
Episode 29: Michael Brauer
We first met esteemed mix engineer Michael Brauer in Tape Op #37 in 2003, when Mike Caffrey interviewed him about his multi-bus mixing technique. Some 16 years later Michael and Larry...
Episode 28: Neko Case
Neko Case released her first album The Virginian in 1997 and since has released six records, documents of her growth as a singer, songwriter and producer. Her latest release, Hell On...
Episode 27: Ryan Bingham
From humble beginnings in Hobbs, New Mexico and a childhood spent moving from oilfield to oilfield for his father's jobs, Ryan Bingham rode bulls and eventually learned to play a guitar...
Episode 26: Blake Mills
Perfume Genius, Laura Marling, Alabama Shakes, John Legend, Vulfpeck, Randy Newman, Jesca Hoop, Norah Jones, Andrew Bird, Jim James, and a long list of others all have a common thread...
Episode 25: Ryan Hewitt
We interviewed Ryan Hewitt back in 2007 for Tape Op Issue 61. A lot can happen in ten plus years, so we thought it'd be a good idea to check in. Online Publisher Geoff Stanfield...
Episode 24: I Am Snow Angel
Julie Kathryn, AKA I Am Snow Angel is a producer, artist, sound designer, and advocate for female empowerment in the music industry. Her latest release Mothership was recorded...
Episode 23: Michael Beinhorn
Michael Beinhorn's name has graced some of popular music's seminal recordings including Herbie Hancock's Future Shock and Soundgarden's Superunknown. He is a musician and producer...
Episode 22: Jack Endino
First interviewed in Tape Op some 20 years ago, Jack Endino has been a staple of the Northwest music and recording scene for over 30 years. He describes himself as "the guy...
Episode 21: Bob Clearmountain
When we prep for Tape Op interviews it is typical to print out discographies, but in the case of our next guest, it was 48 pages long! Bob Clearmountain needs no introduction. He has worked...
Episode 20: Tucker Martine
In 2002 we interviewed Tucker Martine, then a resident of Seattle and making some cool records with people like Bill Frisell and Danny Barnes. A few years later he moved down to Portland...
Episode 19: Jamie Lidell
Born in the UK, and now currently residing in Nashville, Jamie Lidell sings, beatboxes, records, produces, engineers, writes songs, writes code, and actually functions as a husband...
Episode 18: Daniel Lanois
Daniel Lanois' career reads like an enviable work of fantasy. From his early work with Brian Eno and Harold Budd on their genre defining "ambient" works, pivotable roles in U2 classics...
Episode 17: Gotye
In 2011 an artist by the name of Gotye rose to international prominence on the back of his song, "Somebody That I Used to Know," from his third album, Making Mirrors...
Episode 16: Susan Rogers
Not only is Susan Rogers a record producer, engineer, mixer, and audio electronics technician, she has a doctorate in psychology (having studied music cognition and psychoacoustics) from...
Episode 15: Jack Douglas
What's the common thread between John Lennon, Cheap Trick, Slash, Aerosmith, Miles Davis, Patti Smith, Blue Oyster Cult, The Yardbirds, New York Dolls, Clutch and Local H? It's Jack Douglas...
Episode 14: Ken Scott
Ken Scott is an undisputed legend. We interviewed him way back in Tape Op issue Tape Op #52. His work with The Beatles, Elton John, David Bowie, George Harrison, Supertramp and...
Episode 13: John Congleton
Producer John Congleton was first interviewed back in 2011 in Tape Op #81. He has made records with St. Vincent, Explosions in the Sky, The Walkmen, Blondie, and Alvvays. Tape Op Editor Larry Crane...
Episode 12: Boo Mitchell
Famed producer, musician, and arranger Willie Mitchell became involved with Royal Studios (and the associated Hi Records) in Memphis, Tennessee, in the early '60s. He took more control...
Episode 11: Sylvia Massy
Sylvia Massy made a good name for herself as a producer and engineer making records with artists like Tool, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Skunk Anansie, Love & Rockets, R.E.M., Johnny Cash, Tom Petty...
Episode 10: Tycho
Tycho's Scott Hansen is a busy man. As the frontman, principle songwriter, producer, as well as the creator of the band's album art and live visuals, he has no shortage of things on his plate...
Episode 9: Juana Molina
A major star in her native land, via her successful acting and music careers, Argentina's Juana Molina should be a household name in the rest of the world. In April 2017 she released her seventh album...
Episode 8: Allen Sides
Ocean Way Recording began in a garage in Santa Monica, California, in 1968, as a place to showcase owner Allen Side's custom monitors. From these humble beginnings the empire...
Episode 7: Don Was
His group, Was (Not Was), rolled out some funky dance pop in the '80s. He's produced big records for the Rolling Stones, Bonnie Raitt, John Mayer, and The B-52s. But today he is in his office, high atop...
Episode 6: Matt Ross-Spang
How does a Memphis-born teen become an intern, and eventually chief engineer, at Sun Studio? How does the same guy go on to record Jason Isbell, Margo Price, Chris Isaak, Drive By Truckers, the...
Episode 5: Vance Powell
Too often people assume that those of us in the field of music recording had a distinct idea of what we wanted to do when we started. The truth is almost always that it's a wild and unpredictable path...
Episode 4: Glyn Johns
If you don't know his name, you know his work. The Rolling Stones, The Who, Small Faces, The Beatles, The Kinks, Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, Bob Dylan, The Clash, Ryan Adams, Band of Horses...
Episode 3: Steve Albini
Yes, Steve Albini is known for being outspoken and opinionated and "controversial," but behind the mythical personality that's been created for him by the media, he's just a great...
Episode 2: Jack White
For episode 2 of the Tape Op Podcast we dig into the archive once again. Forget what you think you know about Jack White and enjoy his infectious enthusiasm in this interview...
Episode 1: Brian Eno
This interview with Brian Eno was not originally intended to be made available for listening. It has been cleaned up and lightly edited, but has some external and peripheral sounds...